It's a Greenlee punch. Most sign supplies carry them in the appropriate size for the typical lampholders for HO lamps. Works with a wrench. And there are fancy ones, too, actuated by a hydraulic tool. And there are also kits with multiple size dies. But most sign shops just use the one size to make the D-shaped hole for lampholders.
Greenlee is not the only company that makes them, but it is the popular brand.
I think I got mine from N. Glantz.
Brad in Kansas City
yes im getting into making my own lightboxes. and when i have them made the company already has them punched out for me... so YES i dont know everything. thats why i felt like i could ask others... didnt know it was such a big deal...Jeezus.... and you are doing electrical work?
SignComp D-Punch Assembly | IEC - Excellence in Distribution Since 1946
i use led alot but this customer demands old school. and one of my old workers stole it. so now im without...Use LEDS instead
im getting into making them.. doesnt mean i know what the tool is called..its called learning things day by day!. all i asked if someone knew what it was called and where i can purchase one.. i never said i dont know how to use one...You are making your own sign cabinets? Seems like a UL shop would know the answers.
im getting into making them.. doesnt mean i know what the tool is called..its called learning things day by day!. all i asked if someone knew what it was called and where i can purchase one.. i never said i dont know how to use one...
What everyone is getting at is that you are not legally allowed to make electrical sign components without having various certifications, such as UL, Since someone who runs a proper UL shop would most likely know what this tool is called and where to buy one most people assume you are not licenced or certified to make this type of sign...
yes maybe i wasnt clear from the beginning... yes i had a guy that built lightboxes for me in house. when doing so he needed this D PUNCH. i purchased it along time ago. NOT knowing what it was called or maybe i should say the correct term for it...well now he moved and took the piece that was needed to punch out the D shape for sockets.. Im looking to hire now another gentlemen to start building boxes in house again... but before i do this i want to make sure i have all the tools again needed for the job. i dont want to bring someone in and just stand there.. i need boxes built asap.. yes i know theres KNOCKDOWNS from local distributors.BUT i rather keep in house.. so yes i was not understanding what it was called to the proper name...also yes i am looking for someone that has everything needed to build boxes...my last guy did..I think where the confusion stems from is your announcement of getting into this cabinet making and not knowing some of the basics. However, if you're just getting into this, are you a qualified electrician or at least the guy building them ?? If you aren't.... then you ought to be, to be a legal UL shop. Needless to say, do you even own a UL stamp capability ??
These procedures protect the customer, other sign companies doing it legally and you.... should something go wrong.
Simply having the yearning to do this to save money, time or whatever..... you still need to go through the proper channels or run the risk of getting in trouble...... big trouble.
What everyone is getting at is that you are not legally allowed to make electrical sign components without having various certifications, such as UL, Since someone who runs a proper UL shop would most likely know what this tool is called and where to buy one most people assume you are not licenced or certified to make this type of sign...
Yes im a Legal shop...Still not seeing in your answers if you are a UL shop or not. The reason is we all would love to knock out sign cabinets but we play by the rules. When it looks like someone isn't, we do call them out as it is only right to do so. If you are not a legal shop, no one is going to help you find tools to continue to make illegal signs.
Thank you for the GREAT help..we use .040 for the inside ends to punch it out for the sockets... i was using a company in new jersey sending me knock downs...that was after my guy left...but with shipping it gets pricey. so now im hiring a nother guy that does light boxes for a nother company.BUT i want to make sure i have the correct tools before he comes. i never asked him about this piece. YES! he probably knew what it was called.. but i also like to learn things myself and keep things in house... i did contact glantz because they are one of my distributors..they didnt know the size and they didnt have one in stock. but hes going to try to hunt me one down...Thanks again for the great help...You need a "D" socket punch. A greenlee punch will give you a round hole, not the correct one for sockets as you pictured. Glantz has them on their site but who knows if they have them as stock. IIRC they go for about $300 but will last decades with heavy use. They are really only good for up to .050, maybe .063 though we've always used .040 for socket covers. I have one from my Dad that's at least 40 years old, plus a spare. They are in the Signcomp catalog too.
Oops, didn't read the whole thread. You know it's a D punch.