The 1994 ABANA conference was a goldmine of tips and tidbits as well as profound amount of imformation from some of the top blacksmiths in the world. It was also the first ABANA conference I attended.  This originally appeared in the UMBA Journal, Vol 17, Number 1, January-February 1995.

    This is a nifty tool tidbit gleaned from Roberta Elliott. Most of the time, when a small hole is needed in a piece of metal, it is generally considered easier to drill the hole than hot punch it. Sometimes that is just not the case.  There are instances when it is quicker to just punch the hole while the piece is hot, and proceed on to the next operation without cooling the piece or setting up the drill. 

    To aid in this process, a small "portable pritchel hole" can come in quite handy.  Most anvils have rather large pritchel holes.  This makes it difficult to punch a small hole (approx. 1/4") in a piece of 1/8" X 3/8" flat bar without seriously mangling the piece.
    The "portable pritchel" is a handy, hardy tool that creates an additional, smaller, pritchel hole and facilitates this operation.  Try it!!