How to Use a EuroPower Punch

I'm enjoying using my punch to add a variety of design elements into metal components. I introduced you to the punch in a previous post and a tutorial was requested on using it. I found the directions to be a bit difficult to follow so I thought I writing up a photo tutorial would be helpful.  

About the punch:

The  EuroPower Punch is a great tool for punching various sized holes into metal. The punch can make seven different sized holes ranging in size from 3/32" to 9/32" and can be used on metal sheet up to 16 gauge in thickness. 

First, you must decide which size punch to use. You'll need to insert the punch and its' corresponding die into the pliers. Initially I found this process to be a bit persnickety. It seemed awkward to manage and I wanted instructions with photos. Rest assured after running through the process a few times it definitely gets easier. Switching from one size punch and die to another size becomes quick and easy.

Begin with the punch lying on your bench top. Screws and depth gauge facing you.

Remove the screw (as shown in above photo) to release the pivot arm. The upper handle and the pivot arm work in tandam and individually. Sounds weird I know but it can take a little fanagling of these two pieces to get the pivot arm where you need it to be later in the process.

Screw in the die that corresponds to the punch you're using. 

Point to note:

Insert the die portion first or the punch can fall straight through and end up on your bench. 

Position the plier handle and the pivot arm so the hole for the punch is exposed. Insert the punch. You can see in the above photo how I am holding the pivot arm and the handle to allow the hole to be completely exposed.

Insert the punch into the top hole.

Fanagle the pivot arm and top handle to capture the top of the die in the slotted piece of the pivot arm. As shown above. I find it easier to have the Euro punch lying flat on my bench top, while positioning/adjusting the die to meet up with the slotted portion. 

Replace the screw that holds the pivot arm in place.

The punch and die have been successfully installed and you're ready to punch!

Insert the metal.

I find the pliers to be large to hold in my hands. The smaller size punches are easy to punch while holding the pliers in my hands but as the size of the die increases it becomes a bit more labor intensive and I need to use my bench for leverage in order to cut through the metal. As shown above.

(just an fyi...I don't usually work in my kitchen but for the purposes of taking photos and avoiding having to clean up my work bench I was.)

Removing the metal from the punch is easy. An extra lift of the upper handle and the metal will pop right off. 

Have fun creating with your punch!

Ema Kilroy is a lampworker and metalsmith living and working in Central Massachusetts. 

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The EuroPower Punch: Punching holes in Metal

Hello Friends. Today I have a new tool to share with you. Let me introduce you to the EuroPower Punch.

I thought I was going to absolutely love this tool straight out of the case. Unfortunately that wasn't the case (no pun intended..lol). I even contemplated returning it. I have since decided this will be a tool that I will come to love the more I use it.

The Euro Punch punches holes in soft metal up to 16 gauge in thickness. It has a nice range of punch sizes. I believe the punch is advertised as a large hole punch. In my opinion the punch sizes are in the small range but this comes from someone who regularly uses the larger range of a disc cutter (1/2 inch up to 1-1/4 inches). So I'd have to say that hole sizing is a relative term and depends on your needs.

Above you can the see the EuroPower Punch with two of the punches and corresponding dies. The punch comes with 7 different sizes ranging from 3/32 to 9/32.

I love how each piece is marked with the sizes. I'm forever trying to remember or figure out the exact size of the disc I just cut. If you look closely you'll see that even the die has the size impressed on it. 

I wanted to show you this view of the punches and dies. You can see how the die sizes vary to fit the punch. 

I also love that I can adjust the depth consistently. The depth range is .5 inch up to 2 inches. I would love to be able to get this adjustment down to an even lower number, perhaps 1/16 of an inch. (My apologies to all my metric system friends...even I find our US measuring system to be daunting.)

Initially I found the punch difficult to work with but it did become much more user friendly (very quickly) as I learned how to use it. I found it difficult for my small hands to use this as a plier as the shape of the tool would intend. I just didn't have the strength to squeeze it, especially when using the largest punch. I have to brace the bottom of the tool on a table top and press down on the top handle of the plier. The instructions don't say to use lubricant on the punches but I plan on trying this. I think this might help with ease of punching through the metal.

You have to change out the punch and die when you want to punch a different size hole. This involves unscrewing the die and another screw in order to change the punch. Not a big deal overall just something to keep in mind if you're more of an on the fly type of person.

Pros:

• Punches a nice range of sizes, 3/32 - 9/32
• Ability to set depth adjustment
• Ability to see the placement of metal to be cut
• Each punch and die is marked with sizing info
• Nifty carrying case for storage and on the go
• Under $40 for a nice tool!

Cons:

• Hard to use as a plier in my small hands
• Would like to get depth adjustment smaller
• Changing punch sizes involves parts to be unscrewed and screwed in

Overall I think this will be a very useful tool on the workbench. In the past I've had a difficult time punching a smaller hole exactly where I want it to be. I love my disc cutter but it is near impossible (for me anyway) to line up my marked spot once I place the metal inside the disc cutter. I just can't see into those tiny holes to effectiviely match up the marked spot with the hole. I think this tool will defintiely help me to place the small holes exactly where I want them on the metal.

An example of some cut outs I made using the EuroPower Punch, Sea Urchin.

The EuroPower Punch can purchased at Rio Grande or Halstead Bead

As I was writing this I realized just how many tools I have on the workbench for the purposes of punching holes in metal. Would you be interested in an overview of tools that punch holes into metal? What do you think of the EuroPower Punch? Is this a tool you would use in your metalsmithing endeavors?

Ema Kilroy is a lampworker and metalsmith living and working in Central Massachusetts. 

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