Features
- Embedded magnets in die for secure attachment to mild steel during setup
- Crosshairs on die surface to aid alignment
- Compatible with punching up to 10 gauge mild steel and 12 gauge stainless steel
- Laser-etched size markings for identification
Specifications
| Nominal Size | 1/2 in |
| Exact Hole Diameter | 1/2 in |
| Material Application | Steel; Stainless Steel |
| Sheet Metal Capacity (Steel) | 10 gauge |
| Stainless Steel Capacity | 12 gauge |
| Punch Shape | Round |
| Draw Stud Included | No |
| Total Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | DCE600012D |
| For Use With | Hydraulic knockout tool |
| Weight | 0.85 lbs (approx.) |
| Country Of Origin | Malaysia (subject to change) |
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A 1/2 inch knockout die for use with hydraulic knockout tools. It is intended for cutting 1/2 in conduit holes in sheet metal and includes alignment aids and size markings. Rated to punch up to 10 gauge mild steel and 12 gauge stainless steel.
Project Ideas
Business
On‑Site Panel Retrofit Service
Offer a mobile service to add 1/2 in holes to control panels, machine guards, and enclosures for switches, cable glands, and bulkhead fittings. The die’s magnets speed setup on mild steel, and crosshairs improve accuracy, reducing scrap. Bill per hole or by time; market to HVAC, fabrication shops, and facilities maintenance teams.
Custom Vented and Decorative Panels
Produce small-batch perforated panels with geometric 1/2 in patterns for ventilation grilles, radiator covers, and signage. Use jigs that reference the die’s crosshairs for repeatable grids. Offer finishes (powder coat, brushed stainless) and upsell matching mounting hardware and grommets.
Modular Storage Plates for Vans and Shops
Manufacture heavy-duty mounting plates with 1/2 in hole arrays for cargo vans, trailers, and workshop walls. Sell compatible pegs, straps, and brackets that index to the hole pattern. Emphasize strength by using 10 ga steel or 12 ga stainless; magnets help speed your production setup on mild steel blanks.
Event Personalization Booth
Set up at markets or maker fairs and punch custom hole patterns into pre-cut metal blanks to create personalized lanterns, house-number plaques, or tool holders. Use stencils aligned to the die’s crosshairs for fast, consistent results. Offer on-the-spot finishing like clear coat or blackening for premium pricing.
Cable Management and Switch Plates
Fabricate and sell 1/2 in hole plates for IT racks, AV installs, and instrument panels—cable pass-throughs with grommets, toggle switch panels, and bulkhead adapter plates. Offer standard sizes and quick-turn custom layouts. Market online with options for material (steel/stainless) and thickness up to the die’s capacity.
Creative
Perforated Lanterns and Sconces
Punch clean 1/2 in holes in mild steel or stainless to create light patterns for lanterns, sconces, or garden path lights. Use the crosshairs to keep designs symmetrical and the embedded magnets to hold the die in place on mild steel while you position curves or seams. Add a diffuser behind the hole pattern for softer light or powder coat the finished piece for weather resistance.
Heavy-Duty Metal Pegboard
Make a custom pegboard from 10 ga steel or 12 ga stainless with a grid of 1/2 in holes to hold pegs, hooks, and brackets. The crosshairs help maintain parallel rows and columns; magnets assist with hands-free setup on mild steel sheets. Fit rubber grommets in selected holes for tool protection and use standoffs to mount the panel to a wall or van interior.
Vertical Planter With Irrigation
Build a sleek metal planter and punch 1/2 in holes for drainage and for installing bulkhead fittings or grommeted drip lines. The precise hole size keeps leak points consistent, and stainless capability lets you use corrosion-resistant materials outdoors. Add a removable cover strip with matching holes to serve as a debris screen.
Wind Chime and Percussion Plate
Create a tuned chime rack by punching evenly spaced 1/2 in holes along a stainless plate and suspending rods or tubes through grommets. The crosshair alignment ensures consistent spacing for predictable tone clusters. You can also make a handheld ‘shaker board’ by mounting different materials through the holes to explore textures and sounds.
Custom Grill/Smoker Vents
Punch rings of 1/2 in holes in stainless plates to create adjustable intake or exhaust vents for grills and smokers. Pair with a rotating cover plate to modulate airflow. The die’s clean shear reduces burrs, and the stainless rating helps the vent withstand heat and corrosion.