punch and chisel set. Does metric vs imperial matter at all?

[homec]

Last year I bought a bunch of basic mechanics tools. Included a set of sockets, ratchets, wrenches and some various other bits and pieces, along with some torque wrenches etc. Stuff worked fine for first couple things i did. I'm getting into some things that may require more force, and since i'm working on my daily driver, I want to make sure I have a bunch of tools on hand that I can use to exert force in various ways just in case.

So I'm looking into getting some ball peins (vaughan), dead blow hammers (maybe just a tekton set), a pick and hook set (mayhew), and a punch and chisel set, plus better sockets and wrenches because no my last job I ran into tolerance issues on the set I had (socket kept rolling off head of bolt in harmonic balancer because it wasn't a tight enough fit).

My question is more for the punches. Does metric vs imperial sizing matter at all? I was looking at a Mayhew 19 piece set and all the sizes are fractional instead of metric. I'm guessing it doesn't matter as there will be enough variation in the set to deal with anything i'd encounter. After all, it's not like a wrench or socket where i have to fit a specific size onto a bolt head or a nut...

Also, is there any catch to prices on tooltopia? Prices for the Mayhew stuff is nearly half of the price on amazon. thx.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Go with Mayhew they are good quality and cheap you can buy them from tsc tractor supply i got my brass set of 3 or 4 for $20 that price is u beat able.

 

[rlitman]

Depends on what you’re doing. Metric punches help on metric roll pins.

 

[Finky198]

Not sure what your looking at specifically but mayhew has a few different grades of chisels...
It would be best to post a link to the set your looking at.

 

[bobcatdan]

Never heard of metric punch and chisel.

 

[homec]

I was looking at this 19pc Mayhew set

There's also these two smaller sets of punches, specifically in metric:
6pc pin punches
6pc pilot punches

 

[Buckgnarly]

Only place where I NEEDED a metric roll pin punch was on a Subaru CV shaft, was too damn rusted to substitute SAE....I'd get some metric roll pin and maybe some pin punches and call it good.

 

[Jazz1]

Not likely. I could use a metric hammer

 

[rlitman]

Only place where I NEEDED a metric roll pin punch was on a Subaru CV shaft, was too damn rusted to substitute SAE....I'd get some metric roll pin and maybe some pin punches and call it good.

LOL, I had that EXACT issue on a Subaru CV shaft. My SAE punches either didn't fit the hole, or fell into the roll pin. Same thing with the roll pins on the shifter linkage.

To put it simply, if you're punching a metric roll pin, you'll want a metric pin punch. Though most roll pins I encounter are SAE, having a few metric pin punches has come in handy.

As for metric chisels, I don't see the point, unless you're doing carpentry and need to cut a metric mortise, but we're not talking about wood chisels here, and for most other chiseling jobs, the chisel width is not a critical dimension.

 

[McFarmer]

I'm thinking of switching out all my old adjustable wrenches for metrics.

(Appropriate smiley here)

 

[rlitman]

I'm thinking of switching out all my old adjustable wrenches for metrics.

(Appropriate smiley here)

Because of the color coding, I suggest that you use Milwaukee adjustable wrenches for SAE nuts, and Channellock for Metric.

Just be sure that you have both right and left handed versions.

Also, you should probably use a metric hammer when hitting metric punches. Just look for a hammer sized in grams, instead of ounces.

 

[Dave455]

Depends what you are doing. For automotive work, on solid pins, probably not - just pick the biggest that fits!

Working on decent machine tools, or firearms, you want the punch exactly the right size, (i.e. a few thou under pin size) so metric for metric pins and imperial for imperial pins!

For roll pins you definitely need the right size, and preferably a proper roll pin punch too!

Chisels obviously don't matter!

Here in the U.K. companies such as Priory who specialise in punches offer both metric and imperial and I have both on my bench in colour coded blocks of wood. Think Snap On offer both too, but I find a lot of U.S. firms only offer imperial sizes and European firms only metric. A bit of shopping around is needed!

 

[WittHay]

Work on a lot of German equipment with roll pins (spring pins) I have never needed metric roll pin punches but have Mac/Proto rp punches that come in 32 and and a couple 64 fraction sizes.

If you are working on a import car probably cheaper to buy a Mayhew metric set, than hunting down a Mac truck and special ordering SAE sizes

 

[L.Cheapo]

Never heard of metric punch and chisel.

Neither have I. Is nothing sacred!?

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have metric pin punches and roll pin punches. I got them to work on the parking brake in a 1996 Ford Genesis tractor. The metric roll pin that holds the handle sheared and nothing else would work.

 

[Olafur]

I have used quite a few punches, but my new favorite is an old Starrett I found recently - long 3/16" pin punch. It seems to be made out of two components; handle and shank.

My guess is by doing this they can make the shank stronger and harder. At least the one I have has mushroomed striking end. but is still straight and after quick trip to the grinder the tip is in perfect condition. Usually long pin punches are bent or broken long before any serious mushrooming takes place on the striking end.

I have given it serious beating - just to find out if my theory is correct. And it seems to be the case, this is one outstanding punch.

Needless to say I see more Starrett punches in my future. Many more.