I am building an island counter top for a builder. He wanted me to dress up the edges a bit .. make it look like it had bolts running through.. which it does not .. So I decided to put black 1/2 x 1/2 squares in the edges..
I got this set of " Greene and Greene " punches from Lee Valley.. I first read about them on Darryl Peart's blog on his website..
That punch is 1/2 x 1/2.. The set is 3/16" thru 1/2 ".. I also got the sharpening cones which could be used on my hollow mortising chisels..
Basically, I just drill a hole, 1/16" smaller than 1/2" .. Then hammer in the punch, completely covering the hole.. The punch is razor sharp and easy to insert. .
The Punch is also very easy to remove.. I thought it would be stuck, but it was not..
It took about 10 seconds to clean out the hole with a 1/4" Chisel.
I cut the square stock off with a Japanese flush trim saw..
I have to say.. These punches work very well.. They are hammered in .. built tough.. strong etc..
I kinda wish the body was square.. The biggest trick seems to be keeping them square, and wonder if a square body could be easier ..
The punches are made in Canada by Lee Valley.. I believe Darryl Peart helped design them.. He does a lot of this type of work..