Sharpen or buy new?

[Moondog55]

After 40 years and quite a bit of use my old centre punch is now blunt. A couple of new ones is only about $35- [ one big + one small] but I'm cheap. Can I sharpen my old one without loosing the hardness that makes a punch leave that nice little cup to get a drill bit started with minimum wandering?
Still no bench grinder tho but my mate works at a school with a full workshop and I thought I might be able to ask a favour

[droog]

Generally hardening is done at a surface level only, depth will depend on the process.
Unless you are removing significant material or cooking the item during grinding there is no issue with re-sharpening a centre punch.
Have re-sharpened mine numerous times.

[r3nov8or]

Take it slow when sharpening, so as not to heat it up, and it'll be fine (also, nothing to lose in giving it a go)

[rambunctious]

Place it in a vice and use a file.

[Moondog55]

OK Will need to buy a vice, still haven't done that, new finecut file too.
I checked out new ones and they are a lot smaller than mine, but I'll work it out.
I've been buying other things than tools lately.

[droog]

Not the first time I have used an angle grinder to sharpen pointed tools or screwdrivers.
Generally use a flap disk but grinding disk will work ok.
Spin the centre punch in your fingers or can place in a drill if it’s easier.

[rambunctious]

OK Will need to buy a vice, still haven't done that, new finecut file too.
I checked out new ones and they are a lot smaller than mine, but I'll work it out.
I've been buying other things than tools lately.

Vice=must have, just like every shed must have a chain saw
And as above, angle grinder/power saw with metal cutting blade etc etc
Tools are so much cheaper today than yesteryear and so much second hand stuff on market place/gumtree.

[ErrolFlynn]

Tools are so much cheaper today than yesteryear and so much second hand stuff on market place/gumtree.

There can be some bargains in the second-hand market. Why are they selling? Is it because the threads are stripped, or there’s an intermittent electrical fault, or was it an experience like, "He loved his tools. Always looked after them. But in our new unit, we don’t have space for them." You might get a bargain or a lemon. Sometimes it’s obvious when you inspect them, but not always.

[rambunctious]

There can be some bargains in the second-hand market. Why are they selling? Is it because the threads are stripped, or there’s an intermittent electrical fault, or was it an experience like, "He loved his tools. Always looked after them. But in our new unit, we don’t have space for them." You might get a bargain or a lemon. Sometimes it’s obvious when you inspect them, but not always.

Australia is ageing and a lot of people are falling off the perch so their tools which they have had for lots of years are sometimes sold off by sons daughters executors etc as the proceeds of their estate.
In my case I got rid of a shirtload of tools when I had to clean out my brisbane home and also prior to that, a shirtload of tools when I had to look after my dads and brother in laws estates.
I have a dawn vice I bought in 1967 and still use it today.
Cost a lotta in those days.
Even now I have tools I no longer need or use but I still work on the idea if I have them and don't use them, then that is better than needing them and not having them.
Bunnings have a vice starting at $40 so as long as you are not beating the krap out of it then it will doo most jobs.
Gees I had one on the back of my ute for years with no problems.

[ErrolFlynn]

Australia is ageing and a lot of people are falling off the perch

I must admit that every time I see an ambulance speeding into some quiet suburb, part of me thinks there'll be another property coming on the market soon.