Harbor freight's dapping set

Jewelry Discussion
21

I just received Harbor Freight’s 25 piece dapping block set, and am
very disappointed. There are 24 punches, the largest of which is a
24/25 (exactly what was advertised) but the block has 18 holes, and
there are no punches that fit the 3 largest holes in the block
(which are, of course, the ones I wanted to use the most). 25 minus
18 = 7 and, since I’ve already identified 3 holes for which there are
no punches, I’m assuming that there must be 4 other issues yet to be
identified. This is too bad, since I had high hopes for the success
of this product. I tried using the largest punch that came with it
in the largest hole, but it just moves around too much to get a good,
solid punch. I will be calling them today to see what they can do -
am hoping they will pick up the charges for returning it.

22 
the block has 18 holes, and there are no punches that fit the 3
largest holes in the block (which are, of course, the ones I
wanted to use the most). 25 minus 18 = 7 and, since I've already
identified 3 holes for which there are no punches,

There is a misconception that dapping tools should fit the domed
depression in the block. My experience is that one almost never uses
a punch that is close fit to the depression. Instead a punch is used
that is one third to one half the size of the hole. The center of the
disc is punched down hard and fast towards the bottom of the hole,
then the punch is used to ‘stroke’ the metal against the sides of the
hole, beginning at the bottom and moving up the sides. It is like
stretching a canvas, where you do opposite sides in turn until you
have done the whole thing. Think of it like pushing pastry into a pie
plate with your hands, stretching it into the shape. Usually there is
not a perfect progression from hole to hole, and to put a partially
domed disc into a hole that is just too small for it tip the disc up
up, almost sideways, and tap with the (1/2 size or so) dapping tool
while turning the domed disc, and it will shrink until it fits into
the hole, then when it fits, strike the center again and repeat the
stretching…

best
Charles