Tools: Who makes a high quality set of punches?

[LVLAaron]

Who makes excellent punches and where can I get them?

 

[1911nut]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Starrett

 

[AccelR8]

Nobody but Starrett

 

[DaveTooley]

Starrett here. You will break the smaller ones because of the length. You can shorten them and repurpose the broken ones for starter punches.

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

Starrett for sure. I buy from Zoro. Usually cheapest with a coupon if you can find one.

Results for "starrett punch"

Zoro Tools Industrial Supplies

www.zoro.com

 

[kendog]

Did anyone mention Starrett? Get the set and 2 or 3 of the smaller ones because they will break and you can regrind them into specific tools, AND still have a stock 1/16 one.

 

[DaveTooley]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

scroll down the page

 

[LVLAaron]

The votes are in and Starrett is the winner!

 

[hoz53]

Who makes excellent punches and where can I get them?

Starrett for me to - I have both the std length and the long ones. I break so may 1/16 should buy them by dozen. I have used some cheaper 1/16 only since they break often.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Did anyone mention Starrett? Get the set and 2 or 3 of the smaller ones because they will break and you can regrind them into specific tools, AND still have a stock 1/16 one.

I feel better after reading this thread. I’m not the only one that breaks a lot of 1/16 punches. Kind of like small decapping pins.

 

[matthias]

Brownells has a set of punches with replacement tips. If it breaks replace it by screwing off a retainer and sliding a new one in. Two lengths and 5 sizes I think. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...nsmith-replaceable-pin-punch-set-prod545.aspx

 

[AccelR8]

I make small punches like 1/6" with drill rod and mild steel as a body/handle. I harden the small drill rod and temper. In a pinch I have used the shanks of cheap drill bits, cut off with an abrasive wheel. Making them this way eliminates, for me any way, the biggest problem which is bending.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Somebody should make a collet punch that takes dowel pins. Easy to replace and cheap to have in bulk

 

[kendog]

The issue I have had with the replaceable tip type punches is, when you do anything more than a love tap the holding feature comes loose. Every time. The Brownells ones are as brittle as hard candy and they break just by looking at them cross eyed. I have had a set of those for 30 years and never use them because of that. I might try and draw the pins back a little in the lead pot and see if they behave better. Starrett is the best bang for the buck.

 

[Richard Jones]

Somebody should make a collet punch that takes dowel pins. Easy to replace and cheap to have in bulk

Wonder if Mr. Porter would be interested in something like that........

 

[hogpatrol]

Another vote for Starrett, also have Snap On and Tekton for split and roll pins.

 

[matthias]

I agree the brownells pins are hard . The convenience is what is really nice. Easy to replace and easy to buy more of them. I used them 5 days a week all day as a general gunsmith. Are there higher quality absolutely, are there more convenient maybe maybe not. I own Starrett punches as well I keep coming back to the brownells. Pictures and links to what you guys like. I am a tool junkie

 

[Intheshop]

Epoxy the pins in place,a torch will get them out(replaceable pin type punch). No need to make collets.

 

[Baron23]

I have Starrett and had them for years. Very good quality, IMO