Marking punch

摘要

The invention provides a tool which can be used with a punch press. On such tool includes a marking punch which has a recess; a marking punch magazine having a channel in which the marking punch is received and an external surface having a transverse groove therein which is in communication with the channel; a striker which strikes the marking punch to move the marking punch from its rest position to its marking position; and a resiliently compressible body received in the transverse groove of the magazine and in the recess in the marking punch. This compressible body desirably is compressed between the magazine and the marking punch when the marking punch is in its marking position, but resiliently biases the marking punch towards its rest position. The invention also provides a method of marking a workpiece, which method can employ such a tool.