Punch press

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I have been tossing the idea arround of getting a punch press. I don't like drilling holes, and need clean holes smaller than the CNC can cut. I'm not looking for a huge machine something manual or operated with a pump style hydraulic system. Anyone have a suggestion. Keep in mind I am limited to a 2car gerage and have half of it occupied by the CNC table. Thanks in advance.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:A punch press is not what you want- thats for using custom dedicated tooling to stamp sheet metal.A punch is what you need.The ultimate manual punch is a rotex-http://www.rotexpunch.com/they do come up used, but tend to hold their value pretty well, and are not cheap.Lots of $500 whitney and pexto hand punches on ebay, where you need to change the punch and die for each different size hole. I have a couple set up for different things, they are pretty simple, easy to use, and last forever.Or, just buy an ironworker- they are good for punching holes, shearing round and square and flat bar, and sometimes notching or bending.
Reply:Thanks for the info. I'll look into it. An iron worker would be ideal, but not in the budget right now. Maybe once my CNC table is fully paid for I'll look into an ironworker, but a decent manual press will be great for now.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabI have been tossing the idea arround of getting a punch press. I don't like drilling holes, and need clean holes smaller than the CNC can cut. I'm not looking for a huge machine something manual or operated with a pump style hydraulic system. Anyone have a suggestion. Keep in mind I am limited to a 2car gerage and have half of it occupied by the CNC table. Thanks in advance.
Reply:I don't mind spending $2000 or less, but my problem is that when I buy a tool I get the biggest I can afford and when I buy an iron worker, (5-6years from now) I will be looking at a 5station machine I like the 80ton baileigh. And we are talking in the $25,000 range so it's not cheap.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Any thoughts on something like this? http://www.baileighindustrial.com/ir...ers/hp-160.phpOther than the small throat size, I think it woul work anyone out there tell me if its a waste of money? Is the throat way too small? ThanksOffering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabAny thoughts on something like this? http://www.baileighindustrial.com/ir...ers/hp-160.phpOther than the small throat size, I think it woul work anyone out there tell me if its a waste of money? Is the throat way too small? Thanks
Reply:hell for the thousands of dollars range i have a metal muncher 30 ton single end punch that has less than 10 hours on it from new i would part with for $3500.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:It really depends if you want to punch sheet metal (up to 1/8") or plate- 1/8" up to 3/4" or 1" thick.Obviously, you pay more for being able to punch thicker stuff. An ironworker is the way to go for plate- since a single end hydraulic punch is gonna cost you as much as a used ironworker, in most places, its a no brainer to add the ability to shear.Used 30 ton machines are often out there for $1500 to $3000, particularly things like the old inboard punch scotchman 30 tonners. Lots of small mechanicals in the 30 to 50 ton range go that cheap as well.For sheet metal, you really dont need power, and there are always a bunch of used american punches on ebay in the 200 to 500 dollar range that work really well on metal up to about 1/8" thick, and punches and dies for old pextos and whitneys are still available new.The Baleigh punch shown is a cheap chinese generic sheet metal punch, the same thing is sold by Jet, Grizzly, and all the usual suspects. Its okay, but as mentioned, a used made in USA punch is better, and, usually the same price or cheaper. Depends on where you live, and on throat depth- I have a 24" deep throat WA Whitney punch that weighs around 500lbs, you wouldnt wanna ship one like that. Personally, I would be looking at small ironworkers- once you have one in the shop, you will be amazed how much you use it. I really like the old mechanical Mubea BF-10 machines, often available used for $1500 to $2500, built like an old (good ) mercedes, fine german craftsmanship. These are small, easy to fit in a shop, easy to move. Not Hydraulic though- hydraulics usually cost more.
Reply:Why not just use a carbide drill in the cnc, be a lot cheaper?tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:A cnc plasma cutting table, which I am assuming is what he is talking about, is nowhere near heavy or rigid enough to do accurate drilling. A real VMC that can drill holes accurately in 1/2" plate will be 10,000lbs or more of iron. And carbide drill bits are not cheap, and break easily. Once you have tried hydraulic punching of plate, you never want to go back to drilling anything.Drilling is great, in a CNC mill, when you need locations and diameters accurate to .010- but its slow and expensive compared to punching.The first time you see an ironworker effortlessly and silently punch a 3/4" hole in 1/2" plate, like it was play dough, you just smile.