Is there a machinist out there?

[ErnieM]

Is anyone out there a machinist who would be willing to make a leather punch for me? I've spoken to a couple of machinists locally. Both said it's not a problem to make but it was too small a job to bother with.
This punch is used to make rectangular holes in thin leather. The leather is glued onto the face of a harpsichord register (the thin wood battan that the jacks slide up and down in). The register has oversized rectangular holes (anywhere between 58 and 63 holes) cut into it. The register is turned upside down (leather side down) and the punch is inserted into each oversized hole and punches out a rectangular hole the exact size of the jack that will ride up and down through the register. This makes the operation of the jack silent.

I was using a punch my teacher had made in Boston some 25 years ago. Between the both of us, the punch has finally chipped to the point of being useless. In addition, mailing the punch back and forth from North Carolina to Indianapolis where my teacher lives is getting old. I'd love to have two new ones made for us. The punch would have to make a rectangular hole measuring .157 wide by .392 long. Here is a drawing of two types of punches that are used by harpsichord builders.

If anyone can do this job or recommend someone who could I would greatly appreciate it.

Ernie

 

[DaveO]

Check with Toolman(Chad) http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/members/toolman/
I know he is a machinist by trade and might be willing to take on your project.
HTH,
Dave

 

[froglips]

I had the same problem finding a small machine shop to do one off work.

I was very happy with Mebfab in Mebane. www.mebfab.com. He is an interesting fellow and has lots of great stories.

There is also a machine shop in Hillsborough, Waddell Machine Shop, (919) 732-3597, 1608 Riverside Dr, Hillsborough, NC 27278 They are very helpful mainly when you walk in.

Jim

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

Ernie-

I couldn't tell for certain, where is the bevel- inside or outside of the tool? How deep is the chad recess?

I would think the cutting edge on the existing one(s) could be first ground even, then re-sharpened. It would only be slightly more difficult if the bevel is on the inside. That probably could be done with a combination of a dremel tool and files.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have one of the best in Greensboro, if you don't find someone closer.

 

[toolman]

Ernest

I can take a look at it and repair it and make one or make two. Pm me your phone number and maybe we can met in Greenville or Vanceboro.