Guide to Cutting and Punching Tools Education and Training

Receive training to use cutting and punching tools

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what it takes to get a job operating cutting and punching tools

This is a job that can be physically demanding. You also need to be able to do mathematical calculations to set up the equipment properly.

I recommend: O*NET offers a comprehensive look at the requirements to operate cutting and punching tools. It also provides a look at average earnings for punching tool and cutting tool operators, as well as the projected need for new employees in the field. EarnMyDegree.com offers information about the job requirements to operate metal punching tools.

Enroll in classes that provide cutting and punching tools education and training

Check with your local technical school or community college to see what types of courses they offer that can prepare you for a career as a cutting and punching tools operator. Often this training is part of general machinist training or machine technology training. Take advantage of the school's lab by working on any specialized machines that may be available.

I recommend: Baker College in Flint, Michigan offers courses in industrial technology that can help you train on metal cutting tools. Within these courses, you can also learn skills to help you find a job as a cutting tool distributor or with a punching tool manufacturer. Take online classes in punching and cutting tools from Tooling University.

Participate in cutting and punching tools education and training offered by manufacturers

Punching tool suppliers and cutting tool suppliers often provide workshops and seminars. You may be able to take some training at your place of employment or you may need to travel to receive the training.

I recommend: MetalSoft can provide on- or off-site cutting and punching tools education and training. Punching tool manufacturers like Whitney provide training for plasma punching tools, among other classes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of every training opportunity that arises in your workplace. Volunteer to be the person who trains other employees on better ways to use cutting and punching tools.

Guide to Cutting and Punching Tools

Find cutting and punching tools online

By Ben Hahn, Freelance Writer

1. Decide on the size and strength of cutting tools you need before beginning your search. Knowing your options when searching the Internet will help you narrow down the possibilities, including:
2. Buy hand-operated punching tools for smaller, simpler jobs.
3. For larger industrial or factory operations look for automatic metal punching tools.
4. Buy cutting and punching tools in bulk if you need a large number of tools and for better a better overall deal.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find handheld tools from metal punching tool manufacturers

The easiest way to complete some cutting and punching jobs is with the power of the hand, without the aid of electricity or a motor. Handheld devices are often cheaper and will still accomplish the job you need to get done.

I recommend: Metalcraft is a punching tool manufacturer with multiple punching products. Purchase their punch and shear tools for portable metalworking options that require no electricity. For a full range of handheld metal punching tools, see the wide selection at NexTag.

Buy heavy duty metal cutting tools for industrial jobs

For bigger jobs that require cutting or punching more metal over longer periods of time, look for a cutting tool distributor that sells industrial electrical cutting tools.

I recommend: Super Tool sells a variety of drill bits, end mills and reamers for use in sheet metal cutting and steel cutting. See their selection of carbide tipped, solid carbide and high speed steel tools. Northern Tool + Equipment sells metal cutting band saws, jig saws and saw blades. Buy a new saw or replace your worn blades.

Find a metal cutting tool that utilizes new technologies

Metal cutting saws and handheld tools have been around for decades. Technological advances have been made that have revolutionized the way you can cut metal. For complex or repetitive cuts, use a cutting system that uses lasers or other technologies to make the process simpler and automated.

I recommend: Kern sells laser cutting and laser engraving systems. Look at their selection of metal laser cutters, available with different laser sizes for jobs needing greater cutting power. For an alternative to lasers, Wet Jet sells metal cutting systems that use water jets. Water jet cutting tools can accomplish complex cutting not possible through traditional laser cutting and work on a large variety of metals.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cutting and punching tools that are designed to work on metal can often safely cut other materials such as plastic and wood. Check with the manufacturer to see if the product you're interested in is capable of cutting alternative materials without affecting the machine or its cutting quality.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Broaches

A broach is a piece of steel or metal with a series of increasingly taller chisel points. The teeth of the broach can cut steel, brass or any other metal very easily. The basic purpose of using a broach is to expand a circular or rectangular slot in an industrial product.

I recommend: You can read through the basics of broach at Mechanicalindetail.info, an informative website for mechanical engineering concepts.

Lathe machines

A lathe spins a block of material on its axis against a fixed tool to perform various operations, such as cutting or drilling.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information about lathes at MechE, a website created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Punching dies

A punching die is used for punching holes in a flat stock material.

I recommend: You can learn more about punching dies at All Kinds Of Dies, an informative website about dies.

Endmills

An endmill is a machine tool used for shaping metal and other solid materials. It exists in two basic forms - horizontal and vertical. The form of endmill indicates the orientation of the cutting tool spindle.

I recommend: NMRI (National Maritime Research Institute) offers detailed information about endmills.

Punch press

A punch press is useful for carrying out various forming operations, such as stamping, punching, blanking, bending and shearing.

I recommend: To learn more about punch presses, you can read through an informative article at wiseGEEK.

Cutting tool inserts

A cutting tool insert is small part attached to a cutting tool that can be replaced after a pre-defined operation time.

I recommend: GlobalSpec, an informative website, offers detailed information about cutting tool inserts.

Table saws

A table saw is a popular woodworking tool for cutting wood. The saw mechanism is located within a table base, with the blade sticking above the surface of the table. The saw cuts the wood with a round blade.

I recommend: Inside Woodworking offers more information about table saws.

Hot wire cutters

A hot wire cutter is a tool for cutting styrofoam. This cutter consists of a thin wire, which is heated with a low voltage power supply to slice (or cut) the foam.

I recommend: TerraGenesis, an online information resource, provides explanation about hot wire cutters.

Abrasive cutting tools

Abrasive cutting tools remove the component material by rubbing an abrasive over the component to be machined. A grinding wheel is the most basic type of abrasive cutting tool.

I recommend: Grindwell Norton (PDF), an abrasives manufacturer, offers detailed information on abrasive cutting.