Hole in thin steel

[T i m]

grin

Cheers, T i m

[newshound]

No, look at how they work. They rely on being located close to the rolled seam, which is much stiffer than the relatively unsupported sheet metal in the centre of the base. The Qmax type punch relies on the fact that the two sides are maintained concentric, and they are a relatively close fit.

If you want to do this repeatedly on the same sized can, you need to make a wood insert which is a reasonably close fit, then drill through from the outside with a hole saw (preferably mounted in a pillar drill), supporting the base on the wood insert.

Used properly, hole punches should not distort the main part badly unless the cutter is blunt. Moly disulphide paste may help (also worth putting it on the cap screw thread).

[tabbypurr]

I used a die grinder aka dremel, took a few minutes each. Rod was right the 2nd time this century.

NT