Thread: Has anyone hole punched .005 brass shim?

The brash washers/bushings around the inside of a Red Injun's pivot pin is .005" brass shim stock. It's very thin.

Has anyone used a hand held single hole paper punch to punch out discs of .005" brass shim?

I want to use .005" to make these washers and don't like the look of anything thicker that's pre-made.

Oh, and my absolute favorite new tool is a digital caliper! How did I ever get by without one this long?

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

The brash washers/bushings around the inside of a Red Injun's pivot pin is .005" brass shim stock. It's very thin.

Has anyone used a hand held single hole paper punch to punch out discs of .005" brass shim?

I want to use .005" to make these washers and don't like the look of anything thicker that's pre-made.

Oh, and my absolute favorite new tool is a digital caliper! How did I ever get by without one this long?

Chris L

Back in my previous incarnation (occasional toolroom work), I used to use shimstock .005 and smaller all the time. Paper hole punches work ok if the punch intersects perpendicular to the material, otherwise it can bunch up on ya.

I like those shim punch and die sets better, especially if you plan on working with other thicknesses or material types. Below is an example I found via GIS.

MSC Item Detail

The difference in size between the punch and die in the hand held may be too large to cut brass clean. ALso the alignment would not be accurate enough to keep the clearance accurate enough. On the cheat, laywer the brass between aluminum or brass at least 1/16 thick, clamp tight and drill. Tool and Die Makers have a tool named a 'Shim Punch' they use for just that purpose. Good ones are expensive. Harbor Freight has a cheap model. You get what you pay for.

Originally Posted by joke1176

Back in my previous incarnation (occasional toolroom work), I used to use shimstock .005 and smaller all the time. Paper hole punches work ok if the punch intersects perpendicular to the material, otherwise it can bunch up on ya.

I like those shim punch and die sets better, especially if you plan on working with other thicknesses or material types. Below is an example I found via GIS.

MSC Item Detail

Thanks man. That link looks like it's just the stand. A punch set and the stand look like it would set a guy back like $250 smackers.

I have a local machinist that did some work for me in relation to my homemade belt grinder. I need him to do more in relation to that grinder. Maybe he can make me a single punch without too much trouble on his lathe.

I like that site you referenced. Thanks for that.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

Thanks man. That link looks like it's just the stand. A punch set and the stand look like it would set a guy back like $250 smackers.

I have a local machinist that did some work for me in relation to my homemade belt grinder. I need him to do more in relation to that grinder. Maybe he can make me a single punch without too much trouble on his lathe.

I like that site you referenced. Thanks for that.

Chris L

Oops, sorry for the bad link.. duh.

Yeah, those sets ARE expensive...

Oh ****, if you know a guy with access to a mill and lathe, your problems are solved! Making a punch and die set are damn easy, and if he has access to O1 or similar steel, you can harden it very easily.

You can even request a custom size and clearance. Assuming he is not a tool and die guy, check out this link for clearances et al.

Flat-Stock.com - Tool Steel for Tools, Dies, and Molds: Die Clearance Calculator

Damn Joe! Didnt know you were so smart!

I have made washers with a modified drill bit. They look great after a few seconds of deburring.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...im-cutter.html

Now days I just smush the wahers from Microfateners.

Charlie

I like your idea, Charlie. Thanks for the tip!

Chris L

Try freezing the shim stock before punching or drilling. Use DRY ICE from Wal-Mart or some grocery stores. It will make it brittle and not bunch up as much when punching.

How about? Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies It's even on sale. Or this one: Tools and Supplies for Building Scale Models | Micro-Mark: The Small Tool Specialists

The trick is to punch the smallest hole first, then center that in the larger diameter die and punch the outside last.