Hi Zernike
I would say that the metal is to hard for the punch. If it is tool steel then you can whack it as hard as you like and all you'll do is eventually break the punch. They work fine on softer metals like mild steel etc.
You can buy different types. I have some Swiss made ones that are excellent to use but I don't know the brand name. (I buy them here in New Zealand) They are a bit tougher than the ones you have.
The beading tools you have are fine. You don't need to replace them. Although you may want to buy some more of the individual smaller sizes as they do break and go blunt on you.
I would suggest that if somthing isn't working for you then try it on a different surface to see what's happening. Any old metal off the floor is not always the best idea.
Dave and Roland are quite right. One dot at a time with a hammer. Work methodically and get the beads very close to one another. In the very corners where the beads don't fit try a smaller bead and in the tiny corners you can stipple although to the naked eye you really can't see it.
You can create a shiney bead or a matted bead by doing this...
Shiney bead.........remove background with small polished flat graver. Then bead background.
Matted bead......remove background and them work over with a small textured punch. It dosn't have to be much, just matt the surface. Then bead background
Both have their uses. If you have a shiney bead it can add texture and become an intergral part of your design. If you have a matted bead then the background receeds and becomes less noticeable.
There is no right or wrong way of doing this. It's what you want it to look like that is the important part. The tools you have are fine.
Cheers
Andrew
PS The NGraver beading punches are very good and are harder and more designed for tougher work on gun metals etc. Here is a link that gets you to their web site
http://www.ngraver.com/engrave.htm You could probabley fax them with an order if you wanted to.