punching holes

[faust18]

Hi I need some advice, I need to cut a 8ml disc in celuloid to make a lense for a torch , ive tied the stationary shops no luck, it needs to be a perfect circle see.ive thought id sharpen a bit of brass tube and use as a punch I had some sucsess with a leaf shaped punch i made on a thread here is there any other way.? Mick

 

[Don]

Faust If there is an engineering shop or even a workshop near you, you can buy engineering punches which are made to produce holes for gaskets. They should have the size you require.An Engineering workshop would most likely let you borrow one if you show them what you are doing.
Other way is to get some brass tube and cut a small piece. Make a hole in some wood, fit the brass into the hole and you have brass cutter with a woden top to protect your celuloid. Simples!

Don

 

[DEL]

A devilish solution Don.......if a bit extreme
Derek

 

[Don]

A devilish solution Don.......if a bit extreme
Derek

Devilish and even extreme but also frightenly clever for a saturday evening.
Also to my mind so very easy!

Don

 

[Einion]

ive thought id sharpen a bit of brass tube and use as a punch...

That's your best bet if you have tubing of the right diameter.

Einion

 

[faust18]

Thanks guys the tubing worked fine sharpened it with a file put the acetete on a piece of cardboard and twated it with a hammer result! Perfect circle , thanks guys , mick

 

[ChaosCossack]

Sorry for the late entry on this one... you've dealt with this, but...

If there's a leatherwork shop nearby, they sell a very sharp hollow punch for punching leather. Inexpensive and usually sold as a set (punch shaft and a number of interchangable punch blades from very small to quite large). A sharp rap with a mallet and you get a clean, perfectly round hole and a matching slug, which is what you want keep for your purpose.

Hope this helps... Better late than never

Colin

 

[Helm]

Any job you use a hammer on is a job worth doing
Steve

 

[Dan Morton]

Leather working shops sometimes have this tool or something similar. Also available online - search "leather punch". You'll have to check the sizes of the various circular cutters to see if it is right for your use. I've used mine on celluloid to make gas mask lenses and prescription eye glass lenses. The one in the photo is far too expensive. I think I spent $10.00 for mine.

All the best,
Dan

 

[faust18]

Hi, I think ive got one around the house somewhere but its old rusty and full of leather plugs but they sell cheap chinese ones at the pond shop I shall invest today and let you know how I get on,

Mick