Carto punch - will this work?

[Mapultz]

I accidentally bought un-punched cartos online. Instead of returning them, I decided to grab a carto punch tool from my local B&M. I got a hole punched without any trouble...but now there's a dent around the hole. Will that affect the way the carto performs?

Also, is there any way to punch a carto yourself without denting it?

 

[Mapultz]

Wow...that pic is huge. Sorry for the super huge close up of my hand

 

[r77r7r]

hard to tell how large the dent is.... many people use dented. Was the only way for several months before laser holes came out, and we all survived.

only one way to tell.....

 

[mobocracy]

I used a cheap punch for a while and what I found was that as the punch tip dulled, the dents got bigger.

Eventually they were deformed enough that I had a really hard time getting them into a tank. I even managed to cut a finger trying once.

I bought a better punch which supports the carto better and appears to have a better punch tip, too, and the deformation doesn't really affect getting into the tank anymore.

 

[mostlyclassics]

I used carto tanks for quite a while until devices like Vivi Novas were available. And I used a simple punch I picked up at a Big Box store. I think it was four bucks.

It worked fine at punching holes, but always put quite a dent in my cartos. Never had a problem with the dented cartos.

If the dent was so large that it impeded insertion into the tank's end-grommet, I just changed out the pointed bolt in the punch for a new, sharp one. A bolt would last for about 5-8 cartos before needing replacement.

 

[Mapultz]

I'm glad to hear that I didn't completely ruin the carto! I will try it when my tank gets here today (yay vape mail!) to make sure.

 

[r77r7r]

For those that want a good punch with replaceable screws, this was one of the first good ones ( by a fellow ECF'r). The coupler was shipping for free. The screws are available also at auto stores.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/157425/Lovejoy_AL050_Aluminum_Shaft_Coupler_Body

Amazon.com: 25 1/4-20x7/8 Mirror Mounting Screw Phos W/Nylon Washer: Automotive

SUPCO bullet piercing valves are also a fav. Remember- with all punches it only takes about 1 full turn past puncture to give a good hole. Anymore just increases the Dent. Better to make a few small holes than a couple big dented ones.

 

[oplholik]

Before I punch, I take a dremel and a thin(approx. .023" thick) cut off wheel in the area it's to be punched and grind away some metal. Makes punching a lot easier, and no deformation.. Just do it slowly and gently so as not to break the wheel. A thicker one would work also.
Doing this does not take long. If you don't already own a Dremel, obviously it wouldn't be worth the investment just for this.

 

[r77r7r]

Before I punch, I take a dremel and a thin(approx. .023" thick) cut off wheel in the area it's to be punched and grind away some metal. Makes punching a lot easier, and no deformation.. Just do it slowly and gently so as not to break the wheel. A thicker one would work also.
Doing this does not take long. If you don't already own a Dremel, obviously it wouldn't be worth the investment just for this.

Why not put a drill bit in it and drill the hole??

 

[Tbev]

Yes that will be fine, I use a real punch not a carto punch, with a spring loaded weight pull, snap, just don't pull /punch as hard.

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[Tbev]

Drill bit will throw shavings into carto, cause short.


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