Hollow punch set

[theoldwizard1]

Basically for making gaskets (tired of paying $3-$10 for paper gaskets for small engines).

Is the HF 9 piece set adequate for paper, rubber and cork gaskets ?

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is the best punch I have ever had. It might be a little heavy at 546 pounds, but it has 18 hole options. I suppose the price might be a little heavy also.
I have another English punch set with exchangeable ends. I have seen and do not have a much less costly set of hollow punches of HF quality.

 

[lis2323]

This is the best punch I have ever had. It might be a little heavy at 546 pounds, but it has 18 hole options. I suppose the price might be a little heavy also.
I have another English punch set with exchangeable ends. I have seen and do not have a much less costly set of hollow punches of HF quality.

I want that Rotex..[emoji1]

 

[JeepYJ]

I have that set and use it to make my own gaskets. Works fine so far.

 

[Indexmill]

How can you go wrong for $9.00? If you use each size once, you are ahead of the cost. Of course they will punch a hole in paper.

 

[RTM]

If you use an end grain block as your striking surface, you will extend the life of the cutting edge.

I have a few different sets, and use them for wood, leather, cork, and occasionally gaskets. Gaskets seem the easiest so far.

 

[dimichele]

I've used them successfully with leather.

 

[bob15]

I've had this Mayhew set for years. Worth the money: https://mayhew.com/hollow-punch-sets/

You can also add 2 punches together to make "washer" type gaskets.

 

[HenryAZ]

I have a different brand, but I use a small piece of UHMW plastic as a backer. It won't dull the punch, and gives just enough so you get a clean cut.

 

[Dave455]

O.P. Yes - definitely the way to go!

I keep ‘gasket paper’ in about 3 thicknesses in my shop, and making my own gaskets has saved me loads of hassle over the years, it’s not just the cost, it’s convenience. I’ve got to drive 5 miles minimum to get a spare for a small engine, maybe 12, maybe they have to order the part, etc etc. Doing my own means I can get on straight away.

I’m lucky in that I have a good supply of older wad punches that I use, but if I need a new one, even decent ones are inexpensive. I use the British made ones, but I suspect there is a U.S. equivalent.

I also have the interchangeable wad punch set shown below. I’ve found that to be very useful. So much so, that if I’m loading a few tools to go and do some workshop maintenance, I generally put that set in! Again, mines British made, but similar to the Mayhew set above.

Being able to make fibre washers is useful too. I have a small piece of lead that I use for punching on. Gives very clean results!

 

[Pressingonward]

I'll second the Mayhew set - being able to use an inner and an outer at the same time is very handy!

 

[bpjr]

I have that $9 hf set and also have Osborne punches. The Osborne blows them away if you are doing a lot of work. The hf punch dulled the first session I used it to make cotton black powder wads...and my single Osborne punch has done 1000s of holes in acrylic marine fabric without getting dull. There's that much difference but 30+ yrs ago a single Osborne punch cost me 2x of what the hf 9 piece set costs today.

If you're just making screw holes in gaskets I've been using one of those hand held star punches. Mostly on the largest punch size and punch a couple times around the edge to make it larger if needed.

 

[engineer2]

HF is OK for occasional light duty use. You may as well sharpen the end of a scrap of steel tubing. Use a wood backer board to protect the HF punch since they are made of mild steel. Easy enough to re-sharpen with a file or a Dremel.

 

[gungatim]

I have the HF set I bought 15 yrs. ago. works great. no idea what their current offering is like, they change suppliers and specs, but my old cheapo set in the vinyl pouch has cut hundreds of holes in paper, asbestos gasket material, and even thin aluminum cans for small engine gaskets without any issue. well, except getting the punched piece out of the die, but I imagine that's an issue with any of 'em...

 

[Sador]

very helpful, thank you!

 

[Pontiac787]

Here is something in between the HF and the Mayhew.

https://www.amazon.com/Lang-Tools-950-Gasket-Punch/dp/B000I1IWVA/ref=asc_df_B000I1IWVA/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699539675&psc=1

 

[bob15]

Stealing this picture from google, with the mayhew set you can make gaskets like these due to attaching 2 punches together at the same time. Not sure I've ever seen another tool like it. The gasket can be narrow or wide, it doesn't matter......

 

[Steve_P]

I have a HF set up to 1/2" dedicated punches, and another HF up to maybe 1.5" with interchangeable heads. And a Knipex pliers style for small holes. They work fine.

Mayhew is the best design, but at $150++ for the larger kits you gotta really want it.

 

[lis2323]

I've had this Mayhew set for years. Worth the money: https://mayhew.com/hollow-punch-sets/

You can also add 2 punches together to make "washer" type gaskets.

THAT is definitely the way to go for washer type gaskets[emoji106]

Thank you for posting. I will prolly order one.

 

[lis2323]

I have a HF set up to 1/2" dedicated punches, and another HF up to maybe 1.5" with interchangeable heads. And a Knipex pliers style for small holes. They work fine.

Mayhew is the best design, but at $150++ for the larger kits you gotta really want it.

The larger kits are about $450 CAD on amazonca

 

[Coach James]

I have this set, and it works well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZNJC3XK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got it as a "Renewed" set on Amazon for less than $100. When I opened it, it looked like none of the pieces had ever been used.

Coach

 

[bob15]

With the mayhew kit, you can also order individual sizes as well, up to 51mm and 2-3/8". I needed a 2" and found tooldiscounter was the cheapest place to order it. My only "issue" was with my kit 66000, with using the 2" punch I needed to buy the larger handle/mandrel that comes with bigger kits.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I wish I had not seen that MAYHEW set of punches. Now I want the set.
I was in my shop today and I took pictures of my MAUN punch set. It was expensive 25 years ago. It was worth the money, because it has remained sharp and accurate.
I turned the end of the handle down to .500" so it can be used with an electric drill.

 

[Steve_P]

Mayhew makes a bunch of kits, so check their website. Everytime I make a gasket I wish I had one, but thankfully I don't make gaskets often