Are SK punches any good?

[Biomed]

I'm looking for a set of roll pin punches. I have looked at Starrett and Mayhew then I discovered that SK makes punches. Anyone used any SK punches? How do they compare to Starrett, Mayhew or Snap-on? (I realize that Snap-on is likely made by someone else.)

I'm excited that SK is back in business and like to buy Made in USA and support SK. Just don't know anything about SK punch quality. I don't mind spending the $$$ for a quality set that will last a lifetime.

 

[mike13u]

Starrett is top-of-the-line for this stuff. Most of the tool lines like Snap-on, Wright, etc are private labled from Mayhew. So, if they come out cheaper to buy Mayhew then a Snap-on, Wright, Proto, Armstrong, then I would just buy the Mayhew (assuming your not getting truck service).
If you have a specific task for roll pin punches, like gunsmithing, buy the smalller 4-7pc set because it isnt a daily use type of tool and you wont use those larger sizes in that SK 12-piece set.

 

[Skin]

Not sure they made their own punches. They look like Mayhew to me. I'm sure the new stuff will be Western Forge [Craftsman].

 

[nnySk]

I have a set of mayhew and they have held up.
I think I payed mid 30s for the set.

 

[Davefr]

Mayhew is the best I've ever used. I wouldn't consider any others.

 

[HandyManny]

Not sure they made their own punches. They look like Mayhew to me. I'm sure the new stuff will be Western Forge [Craftsman].

Western Forge isn't Craftsman, it's the other way around, some Craftsman is Western Forge. WF makes tools for a lot of high end professional tool brands. Some Craftsman stuff (even up until recently) used to be SK before SK went bankrupt.

Not sure that WF roll punches are any good or not. They do make good adjustable wrenches and beam-torque wrenches though.

 

[Skin]

Western Forge isn't Craftsman, it's the other way around, some Craftsman is Western Forge. WF makes tools for a lot of high end professional tool brands. Some Craftsman stuff (even up until recently) used to be SK before SK went bankrupt.

Not sure that WF roll punches are any good or not. They do make good adjustable wrenches and beam-torque wrenches though.

Western Forge is craftsman in the sense that they'll probably be the same with SK now, both being supplied by WF [Ideal]. I have a 10yo set of their roll pin punches that have seen some pretty heavy use, they're quality [or use to be]. WF doesnt seem to offer nearly as many sizes as Mayhew however and you trade the round knurled shaft for a hex shaft. Hex shaft comes in handy if you get a punch stuck, you can spin it out.

 

[Steve_P]

I don't know about SK punches, but Starrett punches are >> than Mayhew; I have both and I can't imagine anything topping Starrett. I do like SK for sockets though.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have a 20 piece SK punch and chisle set and I have no complaints. It replaced a smaller SO set and works just as good as those. Mine are old SK company, don't know who made them then and don't know who makes them now, but I would buy these again.

 

[Skin]

Starrett is top-of-the-line for this stuff.

I don't know about SK punches, but Starrett punches are >> than Mayhew; I have both and I can't imagine anything topping Starrett. I do like SK for sockets though.

Starrett doesnt make or sell Roll pin punches. They're not the same as a pin punch as they have a *** on the end to sit in the roll pin [aka spring or tension pin]. Using a regular pin punch on them will just mushroom the end.

 

[Steevo]

I prefer sucker punches and roundhouse punches, but SK's are ok.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

SK's are comparable to Proto or Mayhew.

 

[american lockpicker]

Using a regular pin punch on them will just mushroom the end.

Thanks for mentioning that.