Find the cross section in square inches of the section to be sheared.
Punching holes in copper sheet.
Square inches to be sheared l w l w x t.
What size portable hole punch or hydraulic ironworker machine is needed for punching a hole size.
In the illustration it would be the distance around the hole perimeter multiplied by metal thickness.
You don t need fancy or expensive tools for punching holes in the most common gauges of jewelry sheet metal.
You can see the crop a dile hole in the 10 mil and 16 mil sample photos.
Spiral twist hand drill.
Here s a list of simple punches that do the job.
The pliers punch holes in soft sheet metal copper gold filled sterling silver and brass up to 22 gauge.
This chart shows the tons of force required for punching a single round hole in mild steel derived by the formula.
It can be texturized with a variety of objects such as a small hammer or polished for a smoother finish.
For punching holes in jewelry metals.
So for example a diameter 5mm punch with a 0 2mm die clearance die will produce a hole that is diameter 5mm on the punch side of the sheet and diameter 5 2mm on the die side of the sheet.
Just make sure the punch is designed for the type and gauge of metal you re using.
Chart showing tonnage required to punch a hole.
16 mil 26 gauge copper.
Plus with the gauge.
For larger holes or use on thicker gauges of steel more.
An approximation can be made of the cylinder force needed to punch a hole slot or notch using this method.
Tons of pressure required hole size x material thickness x constant 80.
If the holes are in thicker sheet metal and are going to be tapped out with a thread after punching a smaller pilot hole may need to be punched and then.
By the way a crop a dile will easily punch a hole in your copper sheet up to the 16 mil thickness.