You know those little punches that you put into one of the screw holes on a hinge, then tap the pin, and it marks the center of the opening?
I need something similar for marking the center of 1/2″ holes in Simpson hardware. Are these center punches (correct name?) available for 1/2″ holes? I’m going by one of our local tool stores this AM but thought I’d check here in case I need to mail order one.
appreciate any advice as we have quite a few 1/2″ holes to drill and I’d like to have a quick and accurate way to mark them.
Replies
In the metalworking world these are called transfer punches. If your local stores don't have them, MSC and McMaster-Carr are the first two places I would look online.
Make one.
Center drill 1/2 round stock/dowel (got a lathe?) with a size to fit something you already have. Set the bushing in the hole and then your punch.
thanks Dunc, I'm off to the tool store.John, I have dowells (no lathe) but then how would I accurately drill a center hole in something that small?http://www.woodsshop.com
good idea Lee!http://www.woodsshop.com
Yeah, I'm real smart. I bet this week's lunch money on the Tribe beating the Sox. Oh, well, wait until next year (for the Tribe, not lunch.)Make sure the washer you use is concentric, some of the Chinese ones are sort of lopsided.
Drill it by hand then, only one end has to be accurate, that's the end that you put closest to what you want to punch.
By the time you find one on-line, wait for it to ship you could make dozens of these things and be done.
Edited 10/22/2007 11:26 am ET by john7g
Find a washer or a nut that fits into the 1/2" hole and has a center hole that's right for the punch. Use it like a bushing.
Lee Valley has the standard hinge size in a automatic punch. Must easier than trying to hold the hinge, hammer and punch.
I have not seen them other in LV's catalog.
But automatic punches are common.
If you are doing any number of them I think that it would be worth it to go to a machine show and get them to machine a bushing out of brass, AL or plastic with 1/2 OD and id to fit the punch.
You could make one out of wood dowel.
Cut it to the lenght needed. Use a centerfinder to mark the center on the end. use a clamp to hold it vertical and drill on a press.
Use some hot melt to hold it onthe punch.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Could you use these? buic
Dowel Centers
Used for accurately aligning stock for dowelling.
These are a close-out purchase from a hardware distributor.
Sold in packages of four. Excellent quality.
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I went ahead and bought a set of Transfer Punches Buic. Had to buy a whole set (only $23) with maybe 20 different sizes in it, just to get the 1/2" I needed, but hey, now I'll never need to buy another sized T Punch. I'll keep you guys posted.http://www.woodsshop.com