will52100 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 I've mostly made punches and drifts from 4140, 5160, a couple from 52100, and some from coil springs and sucker rods. A buddy is wanting me to make him a Brazil style hammer eye punch, and I got to thinking about using H13 for durability. Then I ran up on Brent Bailey taking about Atlantic 33. Anybody used it before? Thoughts? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason0012 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I use H-13. I have never gotten my hands on any A33, though I hear good things about it. H-13 is tough to work with, and not quite perfect for deep punching but is the best I have. I never much cared for S-7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will52100 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Thanks, I'm leaning toward H13. If I can find the time that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 For what it is worth, this is my take on the issue: Just beware of the extremely narrow working range for H-13 as well as the fact that the steel is air hardening. This means the top of the punch will most likely also be hard and you should consider using a "soft" hammer head to drive it (I use my treadle hammer with mine...). Don't get me wrong, it is a great steel for hot punching, just be prepared for its eccentricities. Now H-13 for a Brazeal style hammer eye long handle drift is another thing entirely. There the excellent hot working characteristics really shine as it lets you work the drift without cooling it and consequently sucking the heat out of the stock. I've made or used a good handful of 4140 Brazeal style hammer eye punches. If you work fairly fast, quench the punch every (3) blows, and cycle between two different punches they work pretty well up to stock sizes of 2" thickness. You may need to dress them periodically, but 4140 is easy to come by and make into eye punches. I've not tried punching 4" stock to make my own sledges with a set, though hope to do so at some point in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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