Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > May 1998 > 1998.05.27 > 14Prev  Next


Sharpening Arch and Tube Punches
By Karl Petersen

The simple but tedious way is to dull the punch evenly by rubbing the
entire circular edge against a stone or emery paper, then delicately
remove the flat reflective edge you have created by grinding or stoning
the outer bevel until the edge is uniformly thin and virtually
invisible.  A light final stoning inside and out with a cylindrical
abrasive stick puts a strong but fine finish on the edge and doesn't
knock it too much out of flat.

My own shop method may be a bit of an overkill in the setup, but it is
the only way short of the tedious method above that I have used which
makes a level edge.

Load a spud* in the lathe which fits the inside diameter of the punch.
Make sure there is a groove turned in the spud which is at the edge
to be sharpened.  Tighten the spud and place the tail of the punch on
or against a live center. Use a tool-post grinder to sharpen the edge.
Dress with a cylindrical stone as above.

* spud -- n. 1. potato [colloquial];  2. dullard [derogatory];
  3. expanding collet which holds against the inside of a (usually)
  cylindrical part.

Karl Petersen -- Meridian, Idaho
(and is constantly reminded of it by the license plate slogan,
"Famous Potatoes")

 [ Is there also a British usage of 'spud', meaning a spade or
 [ tool for gardening or weeding?  -- Robbie


(Message sent Wed 27 May 1998, 03:19:53 GMT, from time zone GMT+0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Arch, Punches, Sharpening, Tube

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page