Heavy duty punches?

[G W Wade]

Not heavy duty, but I have repurposed several of the cheap drill bits that come with some cordless screwdrivers. The ones with the hex head. When they get damaged I cut them off to use as pin punches or for aligning springs and parts. All the small sizes that break so easy GW

[BS2]

The talk of making a dead blow hammer sounded like a good thing to do.
So I went to Ace Hardware and raided the plumbing section.
They only had one 3/4" cap Guess I'll have to hit up Home Depot.
I picked up some 3/4" plugs that looked like they would make a great hammer face.
I must have been tired when I got them. Honest I really do know that pipe threads are tapered and only go in one way. OOPS! I'm glad I saved the receipt.
I understand filling almost all the way with lead shot, but what purpose does the little bit of oil serve?



Ace didn't have a hammer handle smaller than one for a sledge hammer, but they did have a rake handle.

OMG, I have a small one of those, now I need to find it!

[country gent]

The oil in the shot helps it slide easier and to not grind to dust. Dosnt take a lot as its inside a captive cavity.

If you have a die 3/4 NPT recut the thread down reversed about half way and seal in with locktite or solder in while the head stands in water.. OR here is a better idea install with hexes out. wrap head with several wraps of aluminum tape or sheet metal and a small hose clamp and fill over with molten lead up about 3/8 thick face. Pure lead or a lead tin alloy makes a nice soft face. The hex will help hold it and when worn out can be pulled off and replaced easily.

[lar45]

I checked my tap and die set and no 3/4NPT die. The 1"NF was close, but no cigar.

[country gent]

Then just install them and pour the lead faces on them :-Some shim stock should wrap around easy and hold / seal well with a hose clamp around it. Then measure up 3/8" and fill to the mark. If the plugs are a little proud of the fitting thats even better as it will give the lead more grip.

[Jimmynostars]

The best I have seen are some lead hammers maybe 2x2x4 off the top of my head. He had a pair must of had some tin and others in it, I've seen straight lead and it won't last.

When it mushrooms too much remelt and poke the handle back in, diy mild steel mould

[Rapier]

I finally gave up and bought a replaceable head steel body shop hammer. Has neoprene, brass and steel heads with a solid steel handle. I have a converted 18 oz framing hammer with a face ground flat and square for stubborn pins.

[JDHasty]

I ordered a set of Protos from Grainger last . I was at Tractor supply today and picked up a set to get me by until the protos come .

Attachment 333029

Nothing wrong with having a set of cheap punches around. You need a set of good punches, but having a set that is more or less expendable is good. It saves starting from scratch on a custom punch. Grind, file or turn them to the exact need, then if you don’t think you will ever need it again it can be reground next time you need a smaller custom size or cut it off if you need it larger than the last time you needed a special punch.

[oldleadhead]

I like Starrett punches. I have broken the smallest, I believe it was 1/16". I replaced it with another Starrett and now have a shorty punch for getting the pin moving... A good bench block is very handy for driving pins.

[country gent]

How goes the dead blow hammer build?????