Punch with self-contained punch recess adjustment indexing

Abstract

A punch canister includes a punch head with an axial shaft that has a screw thread which is adapted to be connected during use to the screw threads of a punch element that is slideably associated within a stripper bushing. A punch recess adjustment member is rotatably and slideably associated with the punch head. The adjustment member is adapted to the slideably but non-rotatably rotatably connected during operation to the punch element. A resilient retraction member, e.g., a spring, is located between the punch head and the adjustment member for biasing the adjustment member axially downward on the punch head. A manually releasable detent provided on the adjustment member is operatively associated with the punch head for retaining the adjustment member in any one of a plurality of selected circumferentially distributed angular positions on the punch head such that during operation disengagement of the detent allows the adjustment member and the punch element to be threaded axially on the punch head to control the distance that the punch element is recessed within the stripper bushing. In a preferred form, the detent is a lock that can be disengaged manually when the punch recess adjustment is to be made.