It's 12:30 AM and you need a top punch...

[Twmaster]

So you make one!

Needed a top punch for a 32 cal wadcutter from an RCBS mold. It's 12:30 AM.... Checked my stock of stainless steel rod material and I have 5/16" smooth rod out of an old printer....

Took all of 15 minutes. I spent more time digging through my drill bits to find a good size for the nose cavity than actually cutting metal.

Cut off a length suitable, face off each end then reduce the shank so it fits in the ram of the lubersizer tool. Drill the nose end so the dimple in the boolit fits into the punch neatly.... Install in the lubersizer to ensure it fits and it drops right into the die like it's supposed to!

Wallah! A top punch is born!

[nagantguy]

Cut to size file to fit paint/polish to match. Love you handy work for a home made solution! Nice work looks real perdy!

[montana_charlie]

reduce the shank so it fits in the ram of the lubersizer tool

How many passes on the lathe did it take to get the shank reduced?

[ndnchf]

Nice work! Making this type of thing is why I love my old 12x24 Atlas lathe. I've made lots of little bits when I didn't want to wait or no one had what I needed.

[Twmaster]

How many passes on the lathe did it take to get the shank reduced?

I took three passes. One to rough it and cut most of the diameter down. One to get close and a very very light high speed cut to finish at size.

[Hang Fire]

Way to go, satisfaction derived for the punch and making it.

[HABCAN]

I don't have a lathe or the skills to use one, so: you take one you have that 'almost' fits, fill it with hot glue and press your boolit nose into that. Use it when its solidified.

That's a trick I learned HERE, on this forum. Thanks!!

[A pause for the COZ]

Another quick and easy punch to use in a pinch for us unskilled machinist. 1/4 inch bolt with the head ground flat.
Works good in a pinch on flat nose bullets.

[rbuck351]

I have a 6x18 mini Lathe that I keep on one of my loading benches just for making stuff like that and sizing dies and punches and a driver for the Lee case trimmer tools and a sinclair primer pocket uniformer and GC makers and dies and punches for my Swag-O-Matic and on and on. I'm still an unskilled machinist but I'm learning.