Was looking for a hole punch solution for a craft project, and got to thinking: how would you punch a hole in the middle of an arbitrary piece of paper/cardboard.

There are some solutions:

Drill Laser cutter/craft cutter extra huge hole puncher Custom die cut Metal punch

Each of these has problems, whether cost, size limits, or clean cuts.

Which got me to thinking: is there a way to make a punch where the cutter and receiver would line up perfectly in an arbitrary position on the stock in question?

I did a search, and found nothing.

Then I thought of this: what if the cutter and receiver had specially positioned and oriented magnets that allow you to line up the punch, then fix the receiver below? Set the whole thing on a flat surface, then punch!

Or, you could align the magnets at the edge of the material, and glide the rig to where the hole needed to be.
-- simpleknight, Jul 22 2016

Related magnetic alignment Sideways_20Stapler_20Mk2
See [csea] anno at bottom. [csea, Jul 22 2016]

Electrician's Hole Punch Tool http://www.greenlee...pic4CFQGRfgodnRsLew
If you are willing to drill an initial (small) hole, then this tool can punch out a nice smooth large hole. [Vernon, Jul 23 2016]

The magnet solution is slickety slick. I think it would work. Nice halfbake SK.
-- bungston, Jul 22 2016


Yay, magnets! See [link] for related idea.

The anvil might need chamfered edges to assist with minor misalignment depending on stack thickness.
-- csea, Jul 22 2016


Handgun loaded with .22 short wadcutter rounds. Job done.
-- 8th of 7, Jul 23 2016


Sp.: Hole
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jul 23 2016


I wondered if hold was intentional, referring to the ability of this punch to get a purchase on any area.
-- bungston, Jul 23 2016


Size of tool(∝ energy) versus work space orientation. A laser via conduction cable would have smallest head and the most flexibility in a tight corner. Magnets won't slip around a fold.

Best to punch the clean sheet and, because of planning, fold and assemble around the hole.
-- wjt, Jul 23 2016


Hummingbirds already can put their beaks in any flower at any angle.

They just need a portable back pack punch strapped on and a bit of training.

Or maybe smallish flamethrowers.
-- popbottle, Jul 24 2016


Those programmed permanent magnets might be useful for fine alignment.
-- notexactly, Jul 26 2016



random, halfbakery