Making/Finding punches in different shapes?

[Duc Kjosua]

I bought a book yesterday about blacksmithing and there is a picture of a metal punch in the shape of a heart, and it looks like it would be used on gaunt cuffs to make the little heart cutouts in the metal. I was wondering where one would go about finding something like this? Or is it a tool that I would need to make myself? I could probably get the shape right, but what do I need to do to get the tool hard enough to punch the metal? I dont want to hit the steel and have the punch crack after a few punches.

[Gundo]

If you're going to punch without a forge [with heat you can punch over a hollow space, and probably make the punch in the same forge], you'll need a matching die. If you're a machinist, and you can get away with using the equipment for private projects, you can make them yourself. You'll need to use something like D-2, and heat-treat the finished punch and die.
It'll likely cost you serious money to have somebody else make this for you.

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[Duc Kjosua]

I can probably make the punch myself. I am not so sure about a die for it though. I'm sure I can figure something out with a dremel and a drill. I have just about every kind of attachment I can buy for it. I can get my dad to heat treat it for me, as he has made me some other tools and heat treated them too. Thanks

[Alcyoneus]

I have a friend that has a die to punch out hearts on a table-top metal punch. He said that when the guy he bought it from had it made that it was about $300.

[Patrick Thaden]

Roper Whitney can make the dies for any of the punches they make. Ph # (815) 962-3011. If you are just using it for punching mild steel or brass take an old steel punch or buy a piece of o-1 drill rod, shape it to the desired shape. Then heat it till a magnet won't attract to it quench in oil till cool. Clean the punch with sand paper till shiny. Reheat carefully and slowly till the punch end is a brownish yellow or about 425-450deg and then quench again. This will give you a fairly hard and tough punch. To use a punch like this line it up on the steel backed with a nice chunk of lead and smack with a hammer. It may take a couple blows but you can punch 16 gauge mild steel like this without heating at all, thiner stuff like 20 is easy. I have even used a piece of mild steel rod to do this, granted it didn't last long. Hope this helps. Patrick

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Patrick Thaden
Thaden Armory
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