Floating punch holder

An improved floating punch-holder for a punching apparatus comprising an assembly of a chuck having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the chuck is provided to be securely attached to the punching apparatus. The chuck is provided to hold a shank having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the shank being held by the chuck and the lower portion of said shank is connected to a punch. The punch is adapted to cooperate with a die located below the punch and centered with the punch. A centering assembly is adapted to accommodate the upper portion of the shank and is provided to facilitate a precise alignment and centering of the punch with the die. Centering assembly is detachably mounted to the lower portion of the chuck and is adapted to retain the position of the shank centered, even when the shank is removed for servicing. A locking assembly is adapted to immobily lock the upper portion of the shank to the lower portion of the chuck.