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Tools: Who makes a high quality set of punches?

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 

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