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Fairly Comprehensive USA Punch Set?

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Gore

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I have never owned a decent punch set and I have a few clamps and vises that I will be restoring and I will be needing a few punches in various sizes. Can you recommend a fairly comprehensive set that is readily available? I almost pulled the trigger on the big Dasco set at HD. The price was right, and it's made in 'Merica...but I figured I'd ask here first.

I also plan to do some gun work in the future so perhaps that can help with the advice.

I'm not as concerned with the chisels...but a kit that had some (like the Dasco kit) would be a bonus.
 
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dr_clyde

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Avoid the Dasco set. I bought some with the same logic years ago. They are ****.

I have Snap-on, Starrett and Matco punches at work, craftsman and whatever my dad and grandpa had in their boxes at home. Iirc Matco is made by mayhew, I just got them because of ease of warranty and availability.

If I had to buy again, I'd get all Snap-on, Starrett and Enderes
 
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dr_clyde

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For gun work I'd absolutely go Starrett. Toolmakers use similar sized tools in a similar environment.
 
OP
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Gore

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I think I'm gonna give it a couple of weeks to see if that Craftsman set goes on sale..if not I'll just buy it (does it ever go on sale?).

The only issue with it is that I cannot rely on using the warranty given the imminent demise of Sears.
 
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pendragon1998

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For a home gamer, I would buy at least the smaller size punches from Craftsman. At least for now, they'll warranty broken and bent punches.
 
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GForceJunky

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Mayhew (Pro) is USA-made and has a great reputation.

I've got the Mayhew 61019 set and I love it. Has been super useful so far and for the price it literally cannot be beat.

Has centre, pin, and solid punches as well as some cold chisels.

For $60 USD this 19 piece set is fantastic: https://www.zoro.com/mayhew-punch-and-chisel-set-19-pieces-61019/i/G5158447/

Seems to have actually dropped in price since I bought mine.
 
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mikebaker1129

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SK is most likely the same as WF made Craftsman.
I have a few of all mentioned,I would pass on the Dasco. All of the others are good to go!
 
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gdocktor3

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Gore said:
I think I'm gonna give it a couple of weeks to see if that Craftsman set goes on sale..if not I'll just buy it (does it ever go on sale?).

The only issue with it is that I cannot rely on using the warranty given the imminent demise of Sears.
Click to expand...

I see them on sale quite often. Another option is to jump on eBay and look for a cheap set of Proto, Starrett, Mayhew, etc. A quick search yielded these options which I believe are good prices -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-8-inc...112312?hash=item33cb5ba278:g:jg4AAOSwtfhYtFGC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sta...457030?hash=item2a7d752a86:g:O5MAAOSwzgBYzHN9
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mayhew-Pro-...871013?hash=item5b35470625:g:3zUAAOSw241YmPGx
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Tool-...843617?hash=item20d7585421:g:F3wAAOxyOlhS7G0c

I just stumbled upon this Tekton set which says to be all USA made. http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEKTON-6656...092749?hash=item1c7f049bcd:g:L20AAOSwLVZVwXwz
 
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T45

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Since you asked, I would look at the zoro sales unless you need it immediately. Zoro has mayhew (pro--not select) and Proto (s2 models) at market prices, so when you get 25-30% off you are getting really good prices. Basically the truck brand relabels without the markup. If you can extend from $30-35 like that dasco you can get pro-grade tools from zoro on sale for maybe $40-ish.
 
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SweetD

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Rhode Island
Mayhew, and I just pulled the trigger on the set above that gdocktor3 linked to, thanks gdocktor3!

Dave
 
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leg17

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Kentucky
Jrboulder said:
I would buy a lower end USA big set and as you find yourself using certain items enough that they wear out buy those in a fancier brand......

ALWAYS wear eye protection when using punches.
NEVER use a punch that is deformed, such as mushrooming of the hammering end.
Click to expand...

Good advice on both counts.
Regular use makes punches somewhat into 'perishable' tooling.
They won't last forever and will need maintenance.
When you use'em up, replace them.
 
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Dimitri

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Toronto
Dasco is garbage that might as well be made in China and sold for $10 for the set.

Starrett if you want American.

Jet believe it or not, from Brafasco, if your fine with Chinese/Taiwanese. They seem to last the longest next to the Starretts. Pricy though for an imported tool.

Dimitri
 
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fivespdcat

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Oct 25, 2011
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The Wilde are quite nice. I bought the roll pin set a couple years ago and they are top notch!

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
 
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woody 73

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PS: just in case you want some more tool History on a few of those punch & chisels in some of my pictures, just check out my old post stories I think I covered most of the names by now. (any names not covered will be in the AA web-site).
 
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Billythekid1

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Jun 30, 2015
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Gore said:
I think I'm gonna give it a couple of weeks to see if that Craftsman set goes on sale..if not I'll just buy it (does it ever go on sale?).

The only issue with it is that I cannot rely on using the warranty given the imminent demise of Sears.
Click to expand...

It will go onsale it does all the time also if u have multiple stores by u check the other stores they will have different sale items good luck
 
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cliftonbros89

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I don't care for the Craftsman WF sets. I like Mayhew, Snap On, Matco (even if they are rebranded), and I'm pretty fond of Wilde as well. They're good for the price. I haven't had Wilde punches bend or mushroom like the WF Cman. I would imagine r the SK punches would be the same WF.
 
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GForceJunky

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KMdef9 said:
That's what I have. Quality tools.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008IHTJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Click to expand...

I have this set in addition to my Mayhew Pro 16 Piece Assorted set and it is fantastic quality. I also have this 5 piece ***** and Centre Punch set from Starrett (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VDRVWQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20 - comes in a plastic pouch, no hardcase like S565WB) and it is also top notch quality and very useful.

Between the 3 sets you will have just about everything you could want or need. All-in you're looking at about $150-170 but if you wait for a Zoro sale you can probably get that closer to $100.
 
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Tallpilot

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Tekton punches are USA made. Any idea if they are Wilde since that is who makes the pliers?
 
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Farmall450

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Menards had a special buy of Wilde last fall, American made and very well priced. I got a decent roll of them; otherwise the Craftsman (WF) are good.

Dasco is often accused of being 'soft' on here, I have a center and ***** punch from them and I haven't seen an issue, however that's just on mild steel.
 
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helterskelter

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For precision work where you do not want to mess up the work piece then Starrett is fantastic quality. Buy the sizes you need as singles.

For car work and stuff like that then any punch shaped object is acceptable (craftsman screwdrivers for example). Don't use the Starretts for that type of work.
 
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davethorik

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Norka, Ohio
Farmall450 said:
Menards had a special buy of Wilde last fall, American made and very well priced. I got a decent roll of them; otherwise the Craftsman (WF) are good.

Dasco is often accused of being 'soft' on here, I have a center and ***** punch from them and I haven't seen an issue, however that's just on mild steel.
Click to expand...

I have a couple smaller Dasco cold chisels I bought as onesies from HD. They are garbage, very soft. I also have their nail sets, also garbage. Just setting around 20 pin nails in some shoe molding, the end mushroomed. What's the point of making striking tools that are softer than what you're working on?

I bought a set of Mayhew cold chisels from TSC and Wilde nail sets at Menards, they are both much better than Dasco.
 
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Joe Mamma

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May 31, 2009
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Gore said:
I think I'm gonna give it a couple of weeks to see if that Craftsman set goes on sale..if not I'll just buy it (does it ever go on sale?).
Click to expand...

I've used punches from many different manufacturers (ranging from cheap junk to very good quality). I've also done a lot of work on guns.

In my experience, the vast majority of punches on the market are junk. That may be fine with some of the larger sizes, but it makes a big difference in the smaller sizes (where low quality stuff can damage what you are working on).

If I started all over again, I would just go with Starrett punches, something like their S565WB set. You could probably get it cheaper without the holder. You should also probably get an extra of the smallest punch size (or maybe 2 smallest sizes) because they can bend easily.

Then, just start to accumulate more punches as you recognize your specific needs. There are a lot of different types of punches out there, and even small differences between the brands can make a difference to you.

If you work on guns, you'll probably get a roll pin punch set very soon. You may also need longer pin punches to get all the way through something, or short ones (which are stronger and good starter punches).

Honestly, it's hard to know what you want and understand the differences until you start working on stuff with them.

The Craftsman set above is not a bad starter set. But if you use punches a lot, you'll end up getting better ones soon.

Joe Mamma
 
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BDT/NWMN

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Erskine, Mn
Dasco and Craftsman may be USA made, but are still a typical dime store grade, made to sell for a low price.

Wilde, Enderes, and the upper grade Mayhew would be among the better choices.
 
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PeterT

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Toledo Ohio
I've got this Armstrong set and it seems very nice for gun work for about $60

ARM70-554.jpg
 
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