Perfect example of another use for the arbor press! No hammering, no
metal jumping around…
For light gauge sheet - up to say 24, I think that the one ton will
suffice. Up to 18 gauge you may need the three ton model. I use a
1/2" polyethylene pad under the die set.
If you have followed my directions and drilled one end of the ram
shaft, simply remove it, turn it around and use the flat face to push
against the punch. If you are really safety concious you may want to
examine the tops of your punches, and if they are slightly rounded -
carve a small indentation into the flat end of the ram to seat them
in. (Flexshaft should do it nicely.) Wear safety protection if there
is even the slightest chance that anything may slip, shatter, break,
or take wing out of the press. I would also hope that you have
figured out that you must remove your fingers from the working
surfaces before pressing the lever 
Use both hands on the lever -
that will ensure that you haven’t left one in harms way.
One other caveat - if you are using the arbor press for repetitive
procedures: ie. punching holes, dapping earrings - for hours at a
time - there may be some other dangers of stressing or injuring
yourself… wrists, elbows and shoulder joints are all involved. My
partial solution was to adjust the rack and gear so that the lever is
in the best position for strongest leverage. For short students that
sometimes means they have to stand up on a box to get enough down
force. Taking a break every 1/2 hour seems to help too.
Once again, disclaimer goes here… and using any of this
is done entirely at your own risk!
Brian P. Marshall Stockton Jewelry Arts School Freestone Tool & Die