Material type and material thickness determines how much clearance you need between the punch and die. The harder the material the more clearance you’ll need. The thinner the material, the less clearance needed. The thicker the material, the more clearance you’ll need. This will then dictate what size die will correspond to your punch.

Clearance Chart

Adding a shear to the punch end is the most common way to reduce tonnage.

Adding a shear also reduces tooling and machine shock, and can help extend the tooling life.

Contact Customer Service to determine the correct solution for your application.

Punch End Configurations

The machine you have will determine which type and size keyway you need. Below is a list of popular keyways.

If you are unsure of what type or size keyway you need:

Refer to the machine owner’s manual

Measure the keyway width on the machine’s Punch Stem

Contact one of our Customer Service Representatives

We recommend adding keyways to all shaped punches. Keyways keep users safe by ensuring the shaped punch does not rotate.

1/4" x 1/8" Cross Keyway

V-Groove

6mm Cross Keyway

4mm Cross Keyway

Apply Punch-Easy Lubricant to your punch and die about every 5-10 hits

Having proper clearance between your shear blades, punches, and dies

Having your material completely under the stripper plate when punching

Adding a special coating to your punch

Adding a special shear to your punch end

MG1: a general-purpose coating with excellent wear resistance allowing for increased tool life and performance. Recommended for applications in medium carbon-steels, alloyed steels, and general-purpose machining. Not recommended for applications in nickel, copper, or stainless steel.

MG2: A harder more lubricious coating offering superior wear resistance allowing for maximized tool life and performance. Recommended for applications in stainless steel, titanium alloys, low carbon steel, alloyed steels, aluminum alloys, nickel, and copper.

Using the same size punch and die – do not use the same size punch and die. Refer to Question 1 to determine the correct die size for your punch.

Not having your material under the stripper – if your material is not completely under the stripper, the material will stick to the punch during the upstroke. This could break the punch end.

Angle Iron can be punched leg down by using a standard punch, an Offset Die, and a moveable Die Block.

Adding length to your punch is a great way to punch angle or channel. Ask your Customer Service Representative about adding length to the body of the punch.

Other tooling options include a Double Step or a Gauge Line Flat.

When measuring a punch, your Customer Service Representative will need the Head Diameter, Body Diameter, and Overall Length.

When measuring the die, your representative will need the Outer Diameter and Height.

You can also refer to your machine’s manual.

Punch Dimensions

Die Dimensions

Video Demonstration

The most common reason for burrs in your material is having too much clearance. Refer to the clearance chart for the correct punch and die size per material thickness.

Clearance Chart

Round

Oblong/Slot

Square

Hexagon

Corner Radius

Picket

*Stock Sizes may vary

Never punch anything thicker than the ‘A’ Dimension of your punch.

Example: if your punch size is 1/2”, your material thickness should not exceed 1/2”.

If there is a size not listed online, email us at sales@clevelandpunch.com, or call us at (330) 296-4342.

Chat with a live Customer Service Representative to get help right away, without having to leave the website.

We currently ship online orders to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For all other international orders please call 330-296-4342 or email alex@clevelandpunch.com.

If you are ordering online, you can only use a Credit Card, no account terms.

To pay with terms, contact a Customer Service Representative.

Stock items typically ship the same day if ordered before 3:00PM EST. Stock items ordered after 3:00PM EST will ship the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays).

Punches with keyway features typically ship the same day if ordered before 12:00 PM EST. Punches with keyway features ordered after 12:00 PM EST will ship the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays).

Contact a Customer Service Representative to obtain a copy of our SDS. Sheet is shipped with purchase of Punch-Easy or Easy-Thin.

We stock all kinds of accessories for your tooling applications and machines. Common accessories include:

Die Holders

Die Reducers

Coupling Nuts

Hardware

Keystock

Punch Holders

Punch Stems

Quick Change Sleeves

Urethane Compressor

Wrenches

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No, we manufacture and sell punches, dies, shear blades, and accessories for ironworkers and various punching machines.

We have strong relationships with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Dealers, so we can help connect you with a machine representative.

It is an exceptionally good punch and shear oil for thick, high-carbon steel, armor plate, grader blade, farm implement tools and stainless steels. It's to be used for cold applications and not made for any hot application.

Applying directly to the punch, die, and shear blades helps reduce friction and heat which then increases the life of your tooling. It also helps keep your tooling from rusting.

Our engineering team can make many different punch designs that fit with your machine. Here are a few examples of the different custom shapes and designs that our team has engineered and machined:

8 - Point Star Punch and Die

Heart Shaped Punch and Die

Abe Lincoln Punch and Die

Duck Head Punch and Die

Flat Bar blades have up to four cutting edges. To fully utilize your blades, rotate and flip the cutting edges when they begin to wear out.

Punch-Easy should also be applied before shearing.

Contact a Customer Service Representative to determine how many cutting edges your blades have.

Video Demonstration

If you have the following information, refer to your machine’s manual, or match your dimensions with the blade dimensions online:

Machine Make

Machine Model

Blade Length

Blade Width

Blade Height

OEM Part Number

Refer to the image below to see how to match your dimensions with the dimensions online.

Blade Dimensions