[GreenKeys] BRPE punch block

[Jones, Douglas W]

From: Jones, Douglas W via GreenKeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net> -- Monday, September 21, 2026 10:39 PM
To: Greenkeys <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [External] [GreenKeys] BRPE punch block
 
> The BRPE punch block ... came ... I'll see how it fits tomorrow.

It was only slightly difficult to install the punch block in my BRPE.  Here are some hints:

1) You really can't put in the punch block unless you first remove the tape guide from the right side of where the punch block goes.  Do this first.

2) You need the punch pins to be in the up position to get them engaged to the notches in the swing links that hold them.  The easy way to hold them up is to put an inch of unpunched tape in the punch block so the tape holds the pins up just a bit as you loosely tighten the right screw holding the block to the punch.  Then pivot the block clockwise so the tops of the pins rest against the swing links and use a spudger or jeweler's screwdriver to poke the pins up so they engage.  As the block pivots into its upright position, drive in the other screw and then give the flywheel a spin with your finger and it should punch a sprocket hole in your fragment of tape.

3) Reattaching the chad chute is annoyingly difficult.  This is easiest if the punch cover is put back on and then the punch is tilted back to rest on the back of the cover.  That way, the tiny little screw that goes into the tab at the back of the chad chute is pointing down as you nudge it into its hole.

4) The adjustable punch block I got off that auction site is (as I expected it to be) incompatible with the tape guides that came with my punch and the spare one I'm mining for parts.  It is 1/16 inch too long, so I'll carefully grind off that much from one of my guides and see if that works with 1 inch tape.  I suspect it will, but ...

5) there is the possibility that the guide for 6-hole tape (sprocket hole 0.441" forward from the back edge) will work poorly with 8 hole tape (sprocket hole 0.392" forward from back edge).  I suspect that the difference of 0.049" won't matter, but I might need to put in some shims behind my formerly 6-hole tape guide.  Conversions aimed at using the universal punch block with 5-hole tape will definitely need shims because on that one, the spacing you want is 0.297" -- so the shim should be 0.144" thick and you may need longer screws to hold the tape guide in place.

              Doug Jones