What is a bob punch and what do they look like?

[windancer]

I have read tips about using and making Bob punches and still have no idea that the work end looks like.

Will some of you folks post a few pics?

Thanks,

Dave

[bigfootnampa]

They could be any shape on the tips but usually are rounded over like a dapping punch.  They are intended to punch only partway through the workpiece so that a smaller punch can make a hole clear through and then the bob-punch depression is used to house the head of the fastener.  In horse shoeing, bob punches are sometimes used, instead of a crease, to house the heads of the horseshoe nails.  Does this help?

[HWooldridge]

The round side of a ball peen hammer can be used as a bob punch - although most are more pointed. The tool is set over a pre-existing hole and struck, thereby creating a countersunk depression.

[Francis Trez Cole]

here is a picture of a set they are very easy to make

[Jack Evers]

Purely from a farrier, shoe building perspective, the rounded bob punch is used from the ground surface of of the shoe, over the edge of the anvil or the hardy hole to push a bubble of metal to the hoof surface where it can be formed into a clip. The tool forming the recess for the nail head is usually called a forepunch or head stamp.

[JNewman]

I have used matched top and bottom bob punches under the power hammer to round the corners on the eye that the link goes through.  This style of bob puts a radius on the corners of the hole.  I made the punches by fullering a piece of round stock top and bottom all the way round with a spring fuller the same radius that I wanted the holes radiused.  I stopped when the smaller diameter is slightly smaller than the hole diameter.  The 2 punches are then saw cut apart. 

[windancer]

Thanks to all!

I have a bunch of them already in the shop- just didn't know what they were called :)

Dave