Homemade Plectrum Punch

[brianhw]

Hi, having recently got into 3-string cigar box guitars, I was finding myself losing grip on the plectrum quite often so I made up this little rough and ready punch to make slightly larger plectrums, which my old hands would be able to grip a bit better, and so it turned out.
This simple idea could maybe be used for other shapes when punching thin plastic like credit cards, etc
.
Here it is:-

[DIYer]

Thanks brianhw! We've added your Plectrum Punch to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: brianhw's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Plectrum Punch by brianhw

tags: punch

[thehomeengineer]

I am no musician myself (wish I was) but appricate the tool to make the plectrum. Thank you for sharing the video, this too is nice and simply to use.

[Toolmaker51]

brianhw; that qualifies 100% as die set. I'm impressed.
While swiveling is not common, the stiff hinge controls alignment correctly for punch to enter die 'centered'. Normal dies slide on pins and bushings. Your die is a blanking tool. Item sought is plectrum, remainder is fall off [scrap]. Piercing dies are opposite; item sought is surrounding material, remainder is scrap, often called the slug.
In either case, punches can be angled to produce shearing action. That angle can generate one or more shear edges, when center [peak] cuts first those are called 'rooftop' punches. The spacer provided in yours makes it more parallel. You mention the hand filed perimeters fit 'so-so', but the die side does far more to control resulting shape and size than the punch. Gap between punch and die is called 'clearance', and is adjusted primarily according to material, thickness, and total length of part profile(s). Those lead to calculations of tonnage needed to operate the die for parts Most of us describe the space in thousandths 'per side'. Something like a washer might have .012 per side; both around ID and OD. A larger plate of same material and thickness would be spaced equally on each edge, and need more tonnage.
Following site link has descriptions of die work elements and basic tooling, I've posted it before, as one of my favorite references. https://www.roperwhitney.com/our-products/
This one has Ms. Toolmaker51 re-dedicating work to decorative work. The physics are identical. http://www.jayneredmanjewelry.com/jayne-redman-tools-2/

[Jon]

Congratulations brianhw - your Plectrum Punch is the Homemade Tool of the Week!

This is both a really original tool (I believe our first plectrum punch?), and a good example of your personal "I-found-these-old-parts-lying-around" tool building style, which is greatly appreciated around here.

Another week with multiple very high quality tools. Here are some nice picks:

Miter Datumizer by Toolmaker51
Fly Cutter by Canobi
Mini Mill Pallet by jjr2001
Wire Stripper by Eloy Workshop
Coffee Brewer Forge by jjr2001
Side Lock Collets by thehomeengineer
Power Tapping Adaptor by jjr2001
Horizontal Bandsaw Support Stand by Toolmaker51
Magnetic Welding Fixture by Captainleeward
Belt Sander by Nick Jonkman
Leadscrew Reverser by Cascao
Pneumatic Belt Grinder Modification by th62
Swarf Pickup Tool by thehomeengineer
Disc and Drum Sander by Nick Jonkman
Cross Slide Dial Indicator System by mapp
Power Transformer by rendoman
Center Height Setup for Internal Lathe Tool by thehomeengineer

brianhw - you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, Giftrocket, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.


More importantly - this is your 5th Homemade Tool of the Week win!

You join this elite list of 5-Time Homemade Tool of the Week winners: rossbotics, Christophe Mineau, Brendon, mklotz, Vyacheslav.Nevolya, Tuomas, olderdan, tonyfoale.

I've added the silver wrench-on-pedestal graphic to the awards showcase in your postbit, visible underneath your avatar.

Here are all of your wins:

Filing Machine by brianhw

tags: pulley, crankshaft, file

Table Vise by brianhw

tags: vise

Damaged Thread Chamfering Tool by brianhw

tags: threading, repair

Wire Binding Tool by brianhw

tags: hand tools

Plectrum Punch by brianhw

tags: punch

[brianhw]

Yet again I'm astonished to win the Tool of the Week award. Thanks to every one who voted for this simple tool.