What tool

[Ted Robinson]

What do you guys use for a center punch on brass for .1mm holes and smaller

 

[Jimsky]

I made a centerpunch from the broken 0.3mm endmill, it just required a bit of sharpening.

 

[Ted Robinson]

Thanks, do you think a drill bit would work

 

[rtibbs]

You don't want a "Center" punch. You want a "Prick" punch. A prick punch has a more acute angle than a center punch. It's also easier to hit the mark because of the angle on the punch. For heavier materials the center punch is what you want. IMHO

 

[Jimsky]

Thanks, do you think a drill bit would work

Do you mean making the center punch from the drill bit? If yes, I don't think it will work as the end of the drill bit is spiral. Any HSS broken drillbit will do, you still need to sharpen the point.

 

[Artin]

Spring loaded small center punch is the best available at most tool and die suppliers

 

[AndyA]

For holes that small in metal that soft, I think that a scriber would be all you need to start a hole. Have fun!

 

[stephenleon]

For creating precise .1mm holes and smaller in brass, many users recommend using a techai micro center punch. This tool is designed specifically for ultra-fine work and ensures accurate, controlled marking on small and delicate materials like brass.

 

[Ted Robinson]

For creating precise .1mm holes and smaller in brass, many users recommend using a techai micro center punch. This tool is designed specifically for ultra-fine work and ensures accurate, controlled marking on small and delicate materials like brass.

Thank you, I'll look it up
Best regards
Ted

 

[Roger Pellett]

I have two homemade punches; a prick punch and a center punch, both are made from very old dentist tools. I also have a prick punch made from piano wire set in a piece of center drilled brass rod. I can chunk this in my drill press and use pressure (with the drill press not running) to press an indent into the brass. This gives better control than using a hammer. Punches are easy to grind by chucking the blank in an electric drill and rotating it against an abrasive surface. I have never tried one of the spring loaded punches.

Roger

 

[rtibbs]

I have two homemade punches; a prick punch and a center punch, both are made from very old dentist tools. I also have a prick punch made from piano wire set in a piece of center drilled brass rod. I can chunk this in my drill press and use pressure (with the drill press not running) to press an indent into the brass. This gives better control than using a hammer. Punches are easy to grind by chucking the blank in an electric drill and rotating it against an abrasive surface. I have never tried one of the spring loaded punches.

Roger

I have two sizes of Starrett spring loaded punches and would not recommend them for 'thin' brass stock as even on minimum spring tension they are too strong.
I do like your idea of using your drill press. Sometimes holding the stock, punch and mallet can be problematic when punching accurately.

 

[Ted Robinson]

I'm using a bulletin board pin so far, will try to make one out of piano wire.

 

[Ted Robinson]

I have two sizes of Starrett spring loaded punches and would not recommend them for 'thin' brass stock as even on minimum spring tension they are too strong.
I do like your idea of using your drill press. Sometimes holding the stock, punch and mallet can be problematic when punching accurately.

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Ted Robinson]

For creating precise .1mm holes and smaller in brass, many users recommend using a techai micro center punch. This tool is designed specifically for ultra-fine work and ensures accurate, controlled marking on small and delicate materials like brass.

I checked it out and can't afford it.
Thank you

 

[Ted Robinson]

I finished the cabin.
Not perfect but better than my last model

 

[Jimsky]

accurately made, Ted, I like it!

 

[Corsair]

I finished the cabin.
Not perfect but better than my last model View attachment 468045

That looks great !

 

[Ted Robinson]

accurately made, Ted, I like it!

And I didn't have to rework anything
Best regards
Te

 

[paul ron]

tip of a drywall screw... sharp n to the point.

 

[Don Case]

Or a concrete nail.