Easy-grip centre punch

Attachment 16746Because of its length, this is a handy centre punch for hot metal, and also it's easier to find. My fingers quickly become pain grasping thin tools. It is made from a worn sharpening steel (and these are good for ticketing cabinet scrapers). The tang has been cut off and the striking end blued, i.e. heated to a blue colour and allowed to cool slowly, which will prevent chips flying off when struck. The grip has come off a carpenter's brace. Many of these are discarded now, and they are just the right length for tongs' reins. Owing to the swelling of the steel, I can hold it either near the point, or higher where it's struck.
Attachment 16747Attachment 16748

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Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Center Punch to our Metalworking category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-center-punch-8"> <img src="/uploads/166097/homemade-center-punch-8.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-center-punch-8">Center Punch</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Philip+Davies">Philip Davies</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/punch'>punch</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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I have one like that that I stuck thru a piece of round white Styrofoam - it didn't stay white long but it's still easy to find:)

Good idea. I have many times hit my hand because of too short punch. How many times i must hit myself before i find " time " to make new one. :)

Good idea,
I will make one like this but with hard rubber grip, to eliminate possible punch vibrations impact to the fingers...