Scotchman Porta-Fab 45, Manual

Page: 22 / 80

Your Scotchman Ironworker is designed to operate in mild steel. Within conservative limits, it can also
operate in medium carbon annealed steels and some forms of abrasion resistant steels.
Conditions of high shock can be encountered when punching alloy steels and accordingly, the machine
rating must be reduced.
CAUTION: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER OR THE FACTORY BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO PUNCH ANY TYPE OF ALLOY STEEL.
► NOTE: WHEN CONDITIONS OF HIGH SHOCK ARE ENCOUNTERED, SET THE DOWN
STROKE OF THE MACHINE SO THAT THE PUNCH STOPS JUST ABOVE THE
PLANE OF THE DIE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE SHOCK WHEN THE PUNCH
BREAKS THROUGH THE MATERIAL.
The Porta-Fab Ironworker uses # 20K punches and dies that have a built-in clearance of thirty two (.032)
thousandths of an inch. Under normal punching conditions, a punch will use a corresponding die
stamped the same size.
A 3/8 inch punch will use a die stamped 3/8 inch. All Scotchman #20K punches and dies are stamped
withthe size. All dies have a larger hole in the bottom side for slug relief.
Make sure that the smaller side of the die mates to the punch before installing it in the machine.
When punching materials other than mild steel or in cases of high punch shock, we recommend
increasing the CLEARANCE. In thin materials, the recommended clearance is 1/10 of the material
thickness.
Due to working clearances in the machine, we do not recommend clearances of less than 1/64 of an inch.
G. DO NOT PUNCH MATERIAL THICKER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE PUNCH.
This "RULE OF THUMB" can be extended, but the punch supplier or Scotchman should be
consulted first; (i.e. do not punch material thicker than 1/4 inch with a 1/4 inch diameter punch).
This rule of thumb applies to mild steel only and must be reduced when punching alloy steels.
H. PUNCH FULL, COMPLETE HOLES.
The side thrust encountered in punching partial holes can force the punch over against the die and
result in punch or die breakage. THIS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. Special
nibbling punch and die sets are available for punching into the edge of material. For further
information, contact your local dealer or Scotchman.
Page 20