Best hand/bench punch

[Whiskeymike]

Looking for a punch to make holes in 16 gauge sheet metal mostly but would love to get to 11 gauge if I could. Would prefer a way to mount to bench. Is Roper Whitney the best choice? Any thoughts on models? Are the grizzly copies any good?

 

[Packard V8]

The most important spec is how far from the edge of the material are the holes? Some of the best punches don't have the deepest throats.

I've got an older Roper Whitney hand punch and it's one of the best-engineered hand tools I've ever seen.

jack vines

 

[Whiskeymike]

I think the majority of things I will do are around the perimeter so within 1"?

Looking at the 5 jr and **, but can't really figure out the differences. The ** has some bigger die's, but not sure if it has bigger capacity for thickness.

 

[ttpete]

There are larger Whitneys. I have a #7 that's capable of doing what you want. It's about 24" long. I clamp it in the vise.

 

[markhm]

I have a couple of Roper Whitneys and die sets I might be interested in selling. Various models and sizes that are bench mounts. They are about 40 years old with light use. If you are interested, message me. They are in storage, so it will take me about a week to get you info on sizes.

 

[IndyGarage]

I can't imagine any hand punch doing 11 gauge steel. You would have to go to something that is permanently mounted to get that much punching power. I have a couple of the Ropers, the little hand one, and one that clamps into the vise that's a bit larger. I used them for fairly thin sheetmetal and they work fine.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I think the majority of things I will do are around the perimeter so within 1"?

Looking at the 5 jr and **, but can't really figure out the differences. The ** has some bigger die's, but not sure if it has bigger capacity for thickness.

The 5 jr has a max depth of 1.75" and the ** is 3.125". I also have the No.16 bench mounted with 3.5" depth and a 12 station Di-Acro turret punch. They all have their own good points and we use them as needed. I believe you would be fine with the 5 jr for starters if you're only talking 1" depth. If I only could pick two, it would be the 5 jr and the No.16.

FYI, The No.16 has a capacity of 7.3 tons. It takes 7.1 tons to punch a .75" hole in 11 ga. mild steel. The 5jr has a 1.2 ton capacity, which is enough to punch a .125" hole in 11 ga.