Punch and Chisel Sets

[T45]

I need to get a small kit. What sizes should I start with? I'd like to be able to handle 3-4mm pins, plus start drills for m6-m10 tap/threading operations, and align m7-m12 bolts. Home depot has a nice selection for ~$30 in the cheap mayhew line. Alternatively, I'm thinking of getting a minimalist kit in nicer quality set (perhaps used or NOS). Cost and minimal space in box are a consideration. 6-8 pieces, budget <$50 after sale discounts.

What are your most used/universal sizes?

I'm asking because this may be a good black friday purchase.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Definitely worth a look on HJE and search "Punch Set". Some sets of really nice Wilde USA made punches (I got my set of roll pin punches for cheap there). They also have some Mayhew Long Taper Punches (alignment punch) in the Closeout section for cheap.

http://store.harryepstein.com/

I bought a set of the cheaper Mayhew punch & chisel sets. The punches have held up and worked great, but the some of the chisels got dents in the blades on the first use, versus my Proto Los Angeles chisels that have STILL held up and work great.

Pin punches, Roll pin punches, Alignment punch, and brass drifts if you ever work with bearings or anything that could be damaged.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

IHMW has it covered pretty well. This set is a bit out of your budget at 69.00 shipped but is pretty well rounded worth a look

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wilde-Tool-Punch-and-Chisel-Set-in-Natural-20-Piece-K20NPVR/204956112?N=5yc1vZc22xZdaq

Wilde's website has individual ones for sale as well if you wanted to piece together a set.
http://wildetool.com/punches.cfm

 

[Cope]

I would also look at Enderes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enderes-Too...A-Professional-Pin-Solid-Center-/131055958517

 

[FMC1959]

And another place for Wilde (and a GJ supporter + 10% discount) is Trident
http://www.trident-supply.com/Searc...=punch+chisel&show=45&page=1&brand=Wilde Tool

 

[Herod]

versus my Proto Los Angeles chisels that have STILL held up and work great.

That's about it right there. ^ ^ ^

I can tell you what punches NOT TO GET....those stupid, rotten, lousy Astro punch, pin, chisel set for 50 bucks from sears. Terrible. First whack with the hammer.....how'd that guy say..............."Blew out like a ballerina's dress pants......" ??

 

[FMC1959]

Trident also carries Proto if you prefer
http://www.trident-supply.com/Searc...earch=punch+chisel&show=45&page=1&brand=Proto

And...
Trident Coupons:
10% discount: "GJ0613-10%"
Free Shipping on orders $100+: "GJ0613-FS"

 

[T45]

How is the quality of something like this (5 pc, $30) from Proto?

http://www.trident-supply.com/5_PC_Set_Punch_Chisel_J3S2_p/j3s2.htm

or this (12 pc, $72/$65 after discount) ?

http://www.trident-supply.com/12_PC_Set_Punch_Chisel_J2S2_p/j2s2.htm

 

[T45]

NOS mayhew 'baltimore' at Home Depot... Is this worth picking out?

Looked nicer than the current stuff ('select')?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Starting out, this would be an excellent set:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/PunchChisel/K-12.html

Wilde K-12 is $35.45 and includes:

3/8" ***** Punch
3/8" Center Punch
1/8" Solid Punch
3/32" Pin Punch
1/8" Pin Punch
3/16" Pin Punch
3/8" Chisel
1/2" Chisel
3/4" Chisel
1/8" Long Taper Punch
3/16 Long Taper Punch
7/32 Long Taper Punch

$63.88 direct from Wilde:
http://wildetool.com/catid.cfm?id=365

 

[ttpete]

Starrett makes excellent punches.

http://www.starrett.com/metrology/m...urrentPage=3&displayMode=grid&sortBy=none/asc

 

[T45]

ihateminimumwage

thanks for breaking down the sizes !! Thats waht i was looking for.

not alll of the pages have what is in the set (trident and hje)

The 5/32 pin punch and the 1/4 chisel are both in the mayhew set @ HD

Notwithstanding quality/cost...etc...

how much should I worry about the "spedific" sizes?

Most of my stuff is metric, but I don't think I need metric chisels =D

That being said, the 5/32 is exactly 4mm (which seems to be the goto for euro kits)

Thanks for your help!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

thanks for breaking down the sizes !! Thats waht i was looking for.

not alll of the pages have what is in the set (trident and hje)

I saw Epstein's didn't have the sizes, and the Wilde site had only part numbers. Just searched them out and found all the info (which I should probably email to HJE in case they want to update their listing...). I was surprised to find most of the chisels sold as singles on Amazon (by "Marketplace" sellers with each almost half the cost of the set ).

how much should I worry about the "spedific" sizes?

Most of my stuff is metric, but I don't think I need metric chisels =D

That being said, the 5/32 is exactly 4mm (which seems to be the goto for euro kits)

I personally have never worried too much about specific sizes. I don't even look at what size anything is stamped, just find the best fit and start hammering. It gets more specific with roll-pins, but I've still yet to mess one up with a standard pin punch.

Thanks for your help!

Always glad to help.