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Middle ground punch set

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rockettauto

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May 12, 2023
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745
I've kept my starrett center punches good but everything else is getting to the point of needing replacement.

I'm not really up for $100 starrett set at the moment.

Anybody have the astro set? seems too cheap for all that you get.

Any good punch sets including a cold chisel and drift punches that aren't quite as spendy as starett but maybe better than the usual $20 ****.

Or just recommendations in general.

I'd consider a separate cold chisel if there's something extra good out there or maybe just get that in starrett and then the set elsewhere.

Just sort of randomly decided I only feel like spending about $50 this time.

Unless there's something you guys swear by that's $100 but just somehow blows starrett away.
 
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Boogerman

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aspen cove hill
I too have Starrett, couple of sets of punches. I like Starrett pin punches and roll pin punches, they soft and don't shatter/break as easily, can be bent back straight if they bend. But, have whole slew other ones, don't notice the Starrett being that much better. A lot old Craftsman pin punches, and much as hate to admit, they okay. A bit harder, they bend, they break soon after you bend them back. That's black ones, not chrome. I have lot Proto punches and chisels, those my favorites. They black steel also, not chrome. Have full big Snap-on set, they don't hold up better, use them when know they'll bend or break, they get replaced on warranty. They seem slightly tougher against flex breaking than less expensive ones.

Dasco Pro blue painted punches seem to be about as good as any, I have several. Don't remember having center punch, though. Mayhew have limited experience but seem okay.

In cold chisels and drift punches and tapered alignment punches, Proto best of any I use. Williams USA and Snap-on a close second. Proto have soft heads (good for safety) and need to grind mushrooming often to keep them from shedding shrapnel.
 
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sparky 1971

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lardy1

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Mar 17, 2019
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Michigan
Tekton punches & chisels are made by Wilde right here in the U.S. of A. Probably not the very best but very usable and well covered by Tekton's great warranty.

I have a mixture of Mayhew, Wilde, Tekton and assorted yard sale pieces.
 
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RPH

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Dec 17, 2006
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4,190
Location
Michigan Thumb
I bent a tekton alignment punch. Sent the email in with the picture and asked if it was warranted. They stated absolutely and two days later the new one showed up.
Good company to support.
 
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AEAdam

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May 27, 2023
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2,778
Location
SE PA
rockettauto said:
I've kept my starrett center punches good but everything else is getting to the point of needing replacement.

I'm not really up for $100 starrett set at the moment.

Anybody have the astro set? seems too cheap for all that you get.

Any good punch sets including a cold chisel and drift punches that aren't quite as spendy as starett but maybe better than the usual $20 ****.

Or just recommendations in general.

I'd consider a separate cold chisel if there's something extra good out there or maybe just get that in starrett and then the set elsewhere.

Just sort of randomly decided I only feel like spending about $50 this time.

Unless there's something you guys swear by that's $100 but just somehow blows starrett away.
Click to expand...
Can’t regrind them? How do you wear out a center punch? A cold chisel? I’d invest in a diamond wheel for my grinder before I’d buy a new set of center punches.
 
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rockettauto

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May 12, 2023
Messages
745
AEAdam said:
Can’t regrind them? How do you wear out a center punch? A cold chisel? I’d invest in a diamond wheel for my grinder before I’d buy a new set of center punches.
Click to expand...
Lol. I think you answered your own question how. You can only resharpen so many times.

Also I think a lot of cold chisels may not be hardened all the way through, I feel like after you get so far into them the edge doesn't hold as well.

I don't like my drifts not being straight and consistent diameter either, too easy to get stuck.
 
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nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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31,994
Location
Coronado, CA
My favorite center punch was made from a broken marlin spike. I ground a point on it, the wide head is a very nice target for my drilling hammer.
 
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rockettauto

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May 12, 2023
Messages
745
Probably looking at Tekton or Wilde....
nadogail said:
My favorite center punch was made from a broken marlin spike. I ground a point on it, the wide head is a very nice target for my drilling hammer.
Click to expand...
What is a marlin spike?
 
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Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
Starrett is miles ahead of Wilde and Mayhew. I have all of them. Yes Starrett costs more, but you're getting tool steel and not alloy steel, from what I can tell. I would put Mayhew ahead of Wilde if you don't want to spend the $ on Starrett.
 
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rockettauto

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May 12, 2023
Messages
745
Steve_P said:
Starrett is miles ahead of Wilde and Mayhew. I have all of them. Yes Starrett costs more, but you're getting tool steel and not alloy steel, from what I can tell. I would put Mayhew ahead of Wilde if you don't want to spend the $ on Starrett.
Click to expand...
But how about a good cold chisel....it doesn't look like they offer one. I'd have sworn the ones i had were starrett but maybe not.
 
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bwringer

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Jan 1, 2013
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Indianapolis
No idea where the OP abides, but if there's a Menard's nearby, they have a goodly stock of Wilde on the shelf at quite reasonable prices.
 
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rockettauto

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May 12, 2023
Messages
745
I think I've nearly talked myself out of keeping the budget lowish.

I might just end up with starrett pin and some enderes chisels.... The alignment punches I'm less concerned with the quality.

I really, really despise having to use a chisel shaped imitation instead of a chisel. I should be able to give it a tap and have a chip fly off any commonly used steel with a little smoke trail several times without sharpening. I've no idea if Mayhew or Wilde are on that level. This butter soft stuff that's only good as a wedge that my guys have has to go though.

Unfortunately no Menards....I've had to say that about a million times over the past ten years as it seems they actually carry things a real hardware store should have and unfortunately all that's around are harry (and Linda) homeowner stores.

It's a bit frustrating taking a look at this market honestly. Seems like such a simple tool there should be a good range and something reasonable in the middle but what I seem to be finding is that it's really just a simple tool to fake. Lol.

Maybe I'll have to try and track down singles and do a shootout.

I appreciate all the leads though, at least I've got a direction.
 
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