[Elecraft] Hand Punch - Handy as a pocket in a shirt!

[Tom Hammond]

Hi Rick:

>Have you investigated replacement dies for the thing?  Working with
>fiberglass tends to be hellacious on any kind of metal.

Not long after I received my first punch (couple years ago), I managed to 
use the 1/8" PUNCH with the 3/32" DIE...! Of course, I then wound up with 
one 1/8" punch, but TWO 1/8" dies... and no 3/32" die.

I called Harbor Freight to see about replacement parts. It took them a 
while (month or so), but they did come up with a replacement die!

I agree that fiberglass can do more damage to steel much faster than just 
about any other material, but I must say that I've experienced no 
significant wear or tear on my punch bue to its use on PC boards. In my 
experience, it's the HEATing of friction of a drill bit on the fiberglass 
which really causes the most obvious wear. That's why I long ago switched 
from high-speed steel #60 bits to solid carbide #60 bits. It's the 
difference of 10 holes/bit to well over 100 holes/bit.

73,

Tom  N0SS