I need punches that dont ****

[jerryd68]

I like the Starret punches, good quality

 

[diesel research]

My set of Mayhews I bought a month ago, not so well. Punches have had no issues, but the chisels have sadly dented into the edge with every use. Haven't held up any better than my buddy's HF set.

gotta watch out, there are different grades of mayhew. including an "economy" line.

and a premium line
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Mayhew-15001-Hand-Tools-Chisels-and-Punches-Chisel-and-Punch-Sets

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKN7LG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mayhew-1...ne-Leather-Pouch-15070/203761847#.UZleecq2ohw

 

[jmm]

Don't chance it on Dasco's punches. Someone said above their products 8 years ago were good, but I can attest that what carries the Dasco name nowadays ain't worth ****. I bought a set of roll pin punches two years ago when I bought some old shotguns. Worthless. Being a glutton for punishment, I bought another set on sale at Lowe's. Bent the first one I tried to use. The problem wasn't operator ignorance (I know how and when to use particular punch styles), the problem was the tool. I emailed the company with a polite 'what gives?', never heard a word. ***** that an American made product has to be of such piss poor quality.

I like Mayhew. Found a couple old Starretts at a gun show. They were a little worn, but cleaned up nice. They're worth checking out if the price is right.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

gotta watch out, there are different grades of mayhew. including an "economy" line.

That explains it! Was wondering why I was the only one not ranting and raving about how excellent they are (and why it only cost me $30 for a 12pc set!).

Don't chance it on Dasco's punches. Someone said above their products 8 years ago were good, but I can attest that what carries the Dasco name nowadays ain't worth ****.

Again, good to know. My old ones have all held up wonderfully (besides breaking the smallest ones). Sad how bad the manufacturing can get on a product, and still look almost exactly the same.

 

[dieselmike]

starret is made in china now. no longer usa

 

[Hiball]

That explains it! Was wondering why I was the only one not ranting and raving about how excellent they are (and why it only cost me $30 for a 12pc set

IRC there is a line in between the economy and 150 line.

 

[diesel research]

That explains it! Was wondering why I was the only one not ranting and raving about how excellent they are (and why it only cost me $30 for a 12pc set!).

i saw some in a parts store and northern. had suspiciously low price, had to research more.

$10/pc would be hard for most to swallow, easy to see why many would be attracted to $3/pc sets from the same brand.

there is also a mid range "pro" set. about 1/2 price of 150 series, and double price of select diyer series. those are the ones most own.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Mayhew

 

[czgunner]

I recently bought a set of the Mahew "PRO" chisels and I think they are garbage.
Not sure about the "PRO" punches, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[maxreco]

Mayhew makes all their punches and chisels in Massachusetts since 1856.

 

[75' forty]

I broke the tip off of my Dasco center punch the first time it was used out of the packaging. I was just using it on mild steel.

I broke a punch I bought while I was traveling while taking it out of the package about a month ago.

 

[Steve_P]

I have both old and new Starrett pin punches and center punches. My old ones are definitely USA, 1970s vintage, and the new ones, if China- and I've suspected this, seem to be as good as the old ones. Both are better than the newer Mayhews (pro line?) I have; the steel is superior with Starrett vs Mayhew- IMO. I also have PB Swiss pin punches and they're holding up fine, but still too new. I also have some Gray (canada) punches, ~1980s, which are great.

 

[rodm1]

As a machinist I have allot of respect for Starrett how are these punches?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008IHTJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those are about the best money can buy. But in order to keep from bending them you need to buy another set to cut short. Use the short set to get the pin moving then use the longer set to drive the pin out.

 

[SMKS]

Those are about the best money can buy. But in order to keep from bending them you need to buy another set to cut short. Use the short set to get the pin moving then use the longer set to drive the pin out.

Or instead of cutting a set of punches you could just buy the starter punches member Hiball mentioned in post #7 in this thread.

 

[mayhemman]

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhTRqKU7JTw


something that i came across awhile ago, im set up for it now. ill be using this method when needed.

just thought id help and share.

also, good punches and the piece clamped or stable as possible makes all the difference.

 

[DekeT]

Just curious, are the new Mayhew's still made in the USA? I know that they've offshored a lot of their manufacturing recently.

EDIT:

For what it's worth, I've been using the same set of Dascos for over 15 years and they've never quit on me. Can't say if their new stuff is as good as their older stuff is.

I have a newer set of Dascos. I found them to be brittle. I have an older set of Craftsman. I found them too soft. I now have a set of Wilde. I found them just right.

 

[genevabuck]

MAC sells the best chisels and punches, end of story.

 

[03protege]

My 60s Proto chisels, on the other hand, have taken more abuse than I can give them, and are still sharp as all hell.

I have had a set of Proto chisels for about a year now and use them very frequently and they look good as new. I am going to look at their punches when it comes time to buy.

 

[MattPersman]

MAC sells the best chisels and punches, end of story.

Really? Which ones are these? Link.

 

[Dave455]

Depends if you are punching inch size pins or metric!

For inch size pins Starrett or Eclipse (if the latter are available in U.S.), for metric size I use PB Swiss or Habero (part of Gedore). The PB Swiss are the toughest tools I have ever used, and in the UK at least, they are cheaper than Snap On!

Either way, get the tapered starter punches as well!

 

[arms1970]

I agree hi ball, have a set of mayhew starters. I use them on getting 3 groove pins out of shafts. Then finish with the snap on pin punches.

 

[jakemac]

Enderes is out business....

Not any more. A new family has bought the company and is in the process of building the company back up. They're turning out tools even as we speak.

http://www.enderes.com/

You can contact them to see where their tools are available in your area.

 

[browntown]

Dasco and Craftsman both are a waste of time. I keep some for when I want to get belligerent with a hammer.

Snapon, mayhew, and definitely starrett are the ones you want. Once you buy some starrett punches you might never go back. They're so pretty you're scared to smack them.

 

[Steinmetz]

I haven't bent my craftsman roll-pin punches yet and I regularly use them in ways outside of which they're intended.

Bent two today? Might want to review how you're going about the job.

Agree. Damaging tools is one of the classic earmarks of the "hammer and chisel" mechanic.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Who makes SK's punches?

 

[BB26]

Who makes SK's punches?

Mayhew used to be their supplier; however, under Ideal I would not be surprised if it has or will switch to Western Forge, which is also a subsidary of Ideal.