made by Starrett are getting dull and worn. I will just rust blue the shafts, but I wonder where I can get them sharpened. My lathe is gone. Does anybody know where I can get that done at a semi-reasonable rate? I am just guessing that Starrett, being located in Athol, MA, is proud of their work at union labor rates....

Thanks for any suggestions.

L/D

I just grind a new point on mine.

If you can'd do them justice by hand any tool and cutter grinder can do them for you.

I suspect that Starrett will just give you another set of punches, their rework cost would be more than a new set costs.

Slip them in a piece of plastic tubing and chuck them up in a drill. Then spin the punch against a turning sanding disc or grinding wheel. Not as accurate as a lathe but it works pretty good. Remember to NOT get them hot.

God Bless, Louis

For what shipping and labor would cost you would be better off looking on ebay for one.

If you really want the one you have sharpened send me an email.

Fleapay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintag...&hash=item46087d2bab

Thanks guys,

I talked to a metallurgist at Starrett. He said, just as Westpac predicted, that they would charge nearly as much to regrind them as it would to sell me a whole new set. Being poor, I do not agree with that course. The front taper sections are either AISI 4063 (older) or S-2 tool steel (newer) through hardened. He recommended grinding them with VERY light passes, preferably with some mist coolant. He said, "Do not let the tips get hot, and there will be no need to re-harden them."

The rub is that I have a set of eight, plus two spares that need to be done.

I will check the wheels on my grinder (still in the package after seven moves). Lois can spray coolant as I spin them against the grinding disk; gently.

Thank you all again. You advice has been most helpful.

John "Lawndart"

This is a fairly simple job using a 4 jaw and a carbide cutter. Send them here John, I need the practice.

The BEST center punch is the ones that I make. They use the tungstun core from 30-06 AP ammo. They make the starret punches look like something from Harbor Freight.

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
The BEST center punch is the ones that I make. They use the tungstun core from 30-06 AP ammo. They make the starret punches look like something from Harbor Freight.

-so YOU'RE the guy who suggested I use the cores from depleted uranium 20MM rounds a few years back!!!

quote:

Originally posted by tin can:

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
The BEST center punch is the ones that I make. They use the tungstun core from 30-06 AP ammo. They make the starret punches look like something from Harbor Freight.

-so YOU'RE the guy who suggested I use the cores from depleted uranium 20MM rounds a few years back!!!

That 20mm core would make a giagantic center punch. I use the 30-06 AP cores.