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• This specialized punch cuts a very particular shape into the end of a tree branch, so it can be grafted onto the side of another, different species of tree.

• This painful tool creates a V-shaped notch in an animal’s ear, for identification purposes.

• These chassis punches are another approach to cutting large holes in thin material. They only work in sheet metal up to around 1.5mm thick (16 gauge). You drill an initial hole just big enough for the screw to fit through, then crank the die and punch together to cut the desired hole. Commonly used by electricians to cut holes in electrical boxes.

• Hole Punch

• These things are alarmingly strong. The tops and bottoms are literally two inch (50mm) thick solid steel plates. Between them a custom arrangement of punches and dies stamp holes into sheet metal. They sold for a few dollars at auction, because unless you are the company that had them custom made to manufacture thousands of a very particular part, they are useless to you. They could be retooled to make a new part, but that’s a lot of work, for which there is little demand in my area.

• This extremely elaborate punch and die set has a separate punch and matching shaped die for each letter of the alphabet. It’s meant for making painting stencils: you slide a piece of oiled card stock (called stencil board) through the jaws and punch each letter in turn. These days a laser cutter would be used instead.

• This cherry pitting tool is just dishwasher-safe hole punch.

• Die Set

• Paper punches can get pretty elaborate. This one cuts a detailed snowflake shape.

• This is the cutest baby stamping press you’ll ever meet. As much as it coos and give you cute looks and funny little clacking sounds when you step on the trigger, do not reach into the press. Your finger would have a very bad time in its mouth.

• Common anvil-style hole punches come with a selection of different round punches, which easily rotate into place.

• Hole Punch

• Common paper punches cut a hole about ¼” (6mm) in diameter.

• Oval Punch

• This punch makes a larger 10mm hole.

• This style is less convenient, but stronger, and it also lets you swap out the anvil side. It’s able to both cut holes for, and install, grommets.

• These tools make oval-shaped holes, such as are used to hang products on wire loop retail display pegs.

• Punch

Do you have a better example of this kind of tool? Let me know by leaving a comment, and include a picture of it if you can so everyone can see!