Good quality made in USA punch set

[shawhite]

I'm looking for a good quality set of both center punchs and roll pin punches. I looked at the snapon set the last time my driver came by but they were a little on the pricey side. I have heard the Mathew and SK sets are good quality but have not seen either set in person. What does everyone on garage journal use and how have they held up .

 

[jimmy-ray]

i have a mayhew set, love em. I just got mine but my co worker has had the same set for years

 

[WittHay]

I have the Mac roll pin punch set, not cheap. Also have Proto in larger sizes and one Snap-on in a size that Proto/Mac does not make. I prefer the Mac/Proto roll pin punches over Snap-on.

I would look at either Proto or Mayhew, cheaper than the tool trucks

 

[rlitman]

My understanding is that Mayhew makes SnapOn punches and chisels. But Mayhew has several lines, and the 150-Line that is used in the SnapOn stuff isn't necessarily going to save you much money.

 

[Slackwolf]

I have Proto roll pin punches I use for gun work pretty heavily. Have only broken 1 roll pin punch in the 8 years or so I've had them. It was a 1/16" trying to help someone out that buggered the roll pin on install and needed it out. Proto replaced it pretty quickly but I bought another for a couple bucks from Grainger while I waited on replacement.

 

[EchoOfGecko]

I've been really happy with my Dasco punches and chisels. They're pretty affordable and you can pick them up at Home Depot or on Amazon.

 

[anndel]

I have a Dasco set from Amazon. Made is USA and awesome.

 

[Toothaker]

Wilde Tools, made in Kansas. Very good quality punches. Amazon and others carry them.

 

[nczo6]

mayhew are very good for the money and can be bought local at homedepot and tractor supply.

 

[Mr_B]

mayhew set and some gedore odd ones for last 20 years done me proud .

 

[Coach James]

I got a Wilde set of roll pin punches from Harry Epstein. Great quality and reasonable price.

Coach

 

[deranged]

Menards carries a nice selection of Made in USA Wilde punches.

 

[zmotorsports]

I love my Proto punches. Also same as the MAC punches as they are the same.

I didn't like my Snap-On ones early on as they were much too brittle and off at even the slightest angle and it was not uncommon to have one snap off. Then on the other end of the spectrum, my Cornwell's would bend into a pretzel and still not break. The Proto/MAC's are very nice, high quality and reliable punches. My two sets are nearly 20 years old now and still going strong.

Mike.

 

[oldtools]

SO is just rebranded of the higher end Mayhew.

 

[racinfarmer]

Wilde, Mayhew, Dasco, and Enderes all make punches in the US.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Years in the Tool & Die trade dictate that some of the finest punches are made by Starrett in Athol, MA.

 

[Wamsutta]

Mayhew or Wilde.

 

[outdoorspace]

Proto would be my suggestion, second only to Starrett, but Wilde is also excellent for the price.

 

[gdocktor3]

Mostly Starett and Snap On in my box, but I also have Proto, Mayhew and even a fair amount of Craftsman. They all work well.

 

[bodyguy16]

Another vote for mayhew, price and quality wise they are hard to beat.

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

 

[californiaHank]

I really like my Starrett pin punches. They're so nicely made it's a shame to hit 'em with a hammer. I have an assortment of steel and brass ones.

I also have Mayhew and Dasco, which are OK, but I prefer the Starrett style round shank ones, particularly in the smaller sizes.

 

[mlum6969]

a couple have said already, mayhew (snap on), dasco, starrett, wilde and proto are the favourites here. you can't go wrong with any of these.

 

[woody 73]

SO is just rebranded of the higher end Mayhew.

They make a great set but I think the price today is under $200.00 per set of the 150 line; still a very nice set.

A lot of good post replies.

An old post of mine in case you need a few good names to look for in the used dept.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270810

Hope it helps you out.

 

[yuanzichen]

I like Mayhew the best

 

[T45]

Mayhew PRO or 150 (not select), snap on, proto s2 line...all make excellent regular and roll pin type sets

BTW, zoro has market prices on these so you get them on 25-30% off sales with a legit discount....plan ahead !

 

[Dimitri]

Dasco lasted me less (about 3 months) then the cheap generic yellow Chinese punches from Stanley etc (about 4 months).

Jet makes some decent punches, but Taiwan IIRC (6 months or so). But if you want USA, only Starret will do. They last me the longest too (about 8-9 months).

But I am beating out pins etc in siezed and rusted forklifts everyday. So punches in general don't tend to last long.

Dimitri

 

[shawhite]

Is there any benefit to square vs round shaft. Seems like Mathew 150 line only has a combo set of punch and chisels.

 

[Davefr]

Starrett, Mayhew, Grace, Proto, Wilde or PB Swiss.

Avoid Dasco - they're total garbage!!

 

[KMdef9]

Another vote for Starrett!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Starrett, Mayhew, Grace, Proto, Wilde or PB Swiss.

Avoid Dasco - they're total garbage!!

Dasco are available everywhere but still **** haha

 

[twalsh16]

Mayhew all the way. Several of the other brands mentioned in this post are made by them (not only punches, but chisels and pry bars as well), and made in USA.

 

[rlitman]

Is there any benefit to square vs round shaft. Seems like Mathew 150 line only has a combo set of punch and chisels.

Square and hex will be easier to clamp in a holder. Can't say I've ever had any problems with my round knurled Starretts punches though.

Mayhew 150-line should be available open stock. I know that SnapOn is sold that way. If you look at the SnapOn set prices, they're basically the same as buying all the pieces individually, and they throw in a plastic tray for free (whoop dee doo).

 

[merr6267]

I just (yesterday) bought these:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012TKY0VI/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I've not yet received them, but with Tekton's service record, the USA stamp and the wooden base it seemed like a good deal.

 

[ptgarcia]

I just (yesterday) bought these:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012TKY0VI/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I've not yet received them, but with Tekton's service record, the USA stamp and the wooden base it seemed like a good deal.

^ I'd get these. Pretty sure they're rebranded Wilde at a better price.

 

[NoahG]

Wilde or Enderes



I mean Mayhew is good too I just like supporting smaller manufacturers.

 

[Schurkey]

Menards carries a nice selection of Made in USA Wilde punches.

My 'Nards has (or had) a Wilde rack. When it first showed-up, it was labeled as "on sale" and I had the impression that it was all closeout merchandise.

I bought some open-stock to fill in missing pieces, and one set of...something...that escapes my mind. Roll-pin punches...or diamond-point chisels. Maybe.

Sure enough, when enough of the Wilde stuff was gone, other non-Wilde **** was added to the rack.

I'm not sure the Wilde rack is even there any more.

 

[Wamsutta]

Mayhew, Wilde, Snap-on, MAC, Proto, Cornwell.

 

[Bacon Man]

You can get Mayhew at Tractor Supply fairly cheap.

I get my Wilde sets at Menards.

You can get Dasco almost all anywhere

 

[T45]

You can get Mayhew at Tractor Supply fairly cheap

The Cheap stuff is branded SELECT (at big box stores) and is mediocre.

You want the PRO level mayhew, the mid-grade (available amazon/zoro)

The snap-on rebrands are "150" SERIES, another quality level higher.

 

[Wamsutta]

The snap-on rebrands are "150" SERIES, another quality level higher.

I was told in an email that Snap-on makes their own punches and chisels.

I don't know how the Mayhew rumor got started.