This may have been covered before but I couldn't find it. My stepfather has expressed many times how he would like a larger punch. Mikhail (Brian) had sent me some .45 shell casings that are about the perfect size but with the brass being soft and my unskilled hands I could not create a sharp enough edge.

So does anyone know where to find larger punch cutters?

FYI - he smokes mostly 54-60 rg cigars
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We have a BIG one at our shop. I'll check about them on Thursday and I can drop one in the mail for you. I think it's designed for about a 55.
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Thanks brother, just let me know how much!
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If it's publicly available, would you share the name with us? I'd love to find something that can punch a robusto once and open up a great draw.
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"So shines a good deed in a weary world." :-)

I would bump your rep if I didn't have to spread some around first.

:-)
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It does not have a name, it's some off brand. I'll gladly share the details when I have them.
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Check out the Xikar Xi009 punch. It's a bigger punch than I've seen around, and it was sharp! Plus, xikar's warranty.
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I saw it and I agree its big enough...for what I smoke. But when you smoke a steady diet of 6x60s I guess you want even larger.
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I have done two punches that overlap some. You end up with a figure eight looking hole.
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Yeah, we have some of those too. Big suckers.

Should be exactly what you are looking for Albert.
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I have sharpened the shell casing....my only worry is how long will it remain sharp.....
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This is the biggest punch I have found at 12mm and after more then 5 years it is still extremely sharp.
http://www.vintagechiccigar.com/index.php?cPath=129_456
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I've never made a punch from a .45, but have half a dozen from .270 and .30-06 rifle rounds. I found that these work best when the edge is well sharpened, but which still leaves a slightly saw-toothed edge. The secret to using them in this state is to gently rotate the punch back and forth, verses using as a pure punch. This consistently produces a clean cut for me, never had one tear the wrapper. I have a set of cheap jeweler files that allow me to sharpen the inside edge once I get the outside edge to the shape/sharpness I want. You are right that you will never get the soft brass sharp enough to use as a punch. But modifying your punch technique to what basically amounts to a hole saw style should give you desirable results. The longer rifle casings do make it easier to twirl the casing back and forth than with shorter pistol rounds. I also find that punching the primer out can give you a good route to push the plugs back out. Then, buff the casing to a luster, and clear-coat with clear Krylon. Keeps the casing from tarnishing.

If you want, PM me for my addy, send me a few spent casings, and I'll try my hand at making some up for you.
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That's the one! Solingen steel will keep an edge for a long time.
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Thanks for all the info guys! At $6 I'll probably order him a few.

And Cliff, next time I go to the range I'll take my rifle too and send you some casings. I'll PM you when I get a chance to go, thanks for the offer!
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If you know anyone who reloads their own ammunition, they probably have a case reamer to clean burrs from the mouth of the cases prior to reloading, especially after trimming the length of rifle cases. I've never tried it but I think, with a little patience, you could use such a reamer to sharpen that .45 case for that purpose.
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That is the punch we HAD in stock.

I meant to update last week that we were out.

Sorry. :-)
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Well it looks like now a lot of folks are out of stock, I screwed around and didn't order one now I can't find one.

Anyone know another source for them???
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I have a punch with 2 different sizes, I'll bring it to EPIC Albert, if you like it, it's yours
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I don't know what the size of the other punch was (didn't see it before the website said none available), but this one punches a 28RG hole in the cigar.

http://www.cigarextras.com/xikarstai...forcigars.aspx
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