woody 73
Well-known member
Disclaimer and Special Notes:
Every now and then a new member will ask what chisel & Punch set should I look for? Of course we will get as many different answers for every GJ member that post a reply.
So a few things are in order that we need to clear up.
(1) You will find a wide array from the very cheap to the super expensive in punch & chisel sets in the market place.
(2) Which brings me up to point #2 and this is an area of special concern so listen up (always wear safety glasses);If you are working under anything and you are wailing away with a hammer the last thing you want to happen is for flying metal chunks from a mushrooming tool hitting you in the face. Also note the cheaper the set (pot metal) you will have to stop and dress up that tool or sharpen it all the time even before your job gets done.
(3) Buy the best that you can afford and don't skimp on price to save a few dollars.
(4)Look for tools that are made with a high grade of tool steel like S-2 something with superior tensile strength, full shank heat treating and if possible look for ones with a parabolic head to reduce mushrooming. A good example is the Mayhew 150 Line of tools, (which is different from their regular line of tools). Look for Proto, snap-on, Mac, Matco etc.
(5) Now some of you are thinking Woody they are out of my budget, now what? Ok plan B for members that do not work 24/7 but rather are shade tree or home hobbyist type people etc. Then look for sets in the mid price range like craftsman, mayhew, Sk, wilde,Western Forge, Enderes, etc.
(6) The price is still out of your range but you have time to look and pocket change waiting to be spent so plan C, Every time you visit a garage sale, flea market, yard sale, estate sale, public auction etc., look for used punches & chisels using the AA website as your guide. Examples would include Armstrong,bonney,Herbrand Vlcheck etc.
(7) Dress up that used tool on a grinder and either put them in your tool box or make a wooden block holder to keep them from hitting each other.
(8) If you just do not have the funds then you are left with places like Harbor freight or northern Tools remember that some of their Punch & chisel sets are made in India or china keep in mind cheap comes with an expensive price tag in the end so save up your money and see rule #3; happy hunting!
Every now and then a new member will ask what chisel & Punch set should I look for? Of course we will get as many different answers for every GJ member that post a reply.
So a few things are in order that we need to clear up.
(1) You will find a wide array from the very cheap to the super expensive in punch & chisel sets in the market place.
(2) Which brings me up to point #2 and this is an area of special concern so listen up (always wear safety glasses);If you are working under anything and you are wailing away with a hammer the last thing you want to happen is for flying metal chunks from a mushrooming tool hitting you in the face. Also note the cheaper the set (pot metal) you will have to stop and dress up that tool or sharpen it all the time even before your job gets done.
(3) Buy the best that you can afford and don't skimp on price to save a few dollars.
(4)Look for tools that are made with a high grade of tool steel like S-2 something with superior tensile strength, full shank heat treating and if possible look for ones with a parabolic head to reduce mushrooming. A good example is the Mayhew 150 Line of tools, (which is different from their regular line of tools). Look for Proto, snap-on, Mac, Matco etc.
(5) Now some of you are thinking Woody they are out of my budget, now what? Ok plan B for members that do not work 24/7 but rather are shade tree or home hobbyist type people etc. Then look for sets in the mid price range like craftsman, mayhew, Sk, wilde,Western Forge, Enderes, etc.
(6) The price is still out of your range but you have time to look and pocket change waiting to be spent so plan C, Every time you visit a garage sale, flea market, yard sale, estate sale, public auction etc., look for used punches & chisels using the AA website as your guide. Examples would include Armstrong,bonney,Herbrand Vlcheck etc.
(7) Dress up that used tool on a grinder and either put them in your tool box or make a wooden block holder to keep them from hitting each other.
(8) If you just do not have the funds then you are left with places like Harbor freight or northern Tools remember that some of their Punch & chisel sets are made in India or china keep in mind cheap comes with an expensive price tag in the end so save up your money and see rule #3; happy hunting!
