How to make a Staking tool

The pictures below show all the detail you need to build a punch.  None of the dimensions are critical - and it can be made with hand tools.

The punch is just a hole drilled through a bit of mild steel, with a slot cut at 90 degrees to the hole.

After drilling the hole you cut the drill bit in half and that forms the pin used as the punch.

Cut a piece of spring steel to size and then insert it into the slot in the punch.  Line up the hole, put the pin in and hit it hard with a hammer.

 

It’s crude, clumsy, and takes a bit of practice to make it work, but it gets the job done.

Paul also made a video of the home made punch in action - click here.

But - you can also buy a "BeadSmith Double Metal Hole Punch" from many places, including Ebay, at good prices.