Hollow punches

Hollow punches: what you need to know

Hollow punches are used for perforating spares of various width made of metal, rubber, leather and some other materials. Necessary for mounting car body panels and an engine. Unlike drills that can damage such a thin element, these tools can make neat holes whose edges do not require any further processing.

What are the types of hollow punches

In the manufacturers’ catalogues, you can come across the instruments that differ in the operating principle:

• Hydraulic. Powered by increasing fluid pressure and are fitted with a regulator of punch depth. Characterised by a high working speed and suitable even for thick metal.
• Pneumatic. Require a compressor that pumps air. Widely used for thin and medium-thick materials.
• Hand. Inexpensive, suitable for processing thin metal, leather and rubber. Hand hollow punches can be in the form of:
  • Tubes. They have a sharp tip and a thick end to be hit with a hammer. They are made of hardened steel. You can also order goods with a countersink function online. These tools are characterised by a conical working part. With their help, you can not only make a hole but also make it wide up to the required diameter.
  • Pliers. Fitted with a leverage mechanism and work due to the handles being squeezed. The processed element is placed between to plates with sharp edges. They are mainly used with the materials with the width up to 6 mm. Available for sale with a set of interchangeable blades of various diameters.

Most often manufacturers offer accessories made of chrome- vanadium steel or high-speed tool steel. The first ones perforate metal parts well and the second ones are good for rubber and leather. Sometimes these tools are covered with lacquer to protect them from corrosion.

Tips on using hollow punches

Before you start, it is necessary to put a smooth medium-thick wooden board under the target spare. This way the hole will be as neat as possible.

Hand tools made in the form of a tube should be held at an angle of 90 ° to the surface; hammer blows should be sharp. The handles of the pliers should be squeezed gently, applying the force evenly. If you use the device continuously for a long time without having any breaks, its work part should be cooled in water.

The articulated joints need lubricating regularly. You should sharpen cutting elements from time to time; otherwise, such tools can damage the processed car part.

AUTODOC: convenient online shopping

In the online shop AUTODOC, you’ll be able to buy hollow punches and other products for car maintenance at an affordable price. Thanks to the wide product range, you’ll save your time and effort as there is no need to look for the required accessories on different websites. If the tool you need is being promoted at the moment, you’ll be able to spend even less money on it.