Quality transfer punches

[strength_and_power]

Looking for recommendations for some decent quality transfer punches and center punches.
Thanks in advance
Scott


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[B.S.A. (ret.)]

The best is Starrett - Hands down. pricey, but lifetime quality.

 

[Davefr]

Looking for recommendations for some decent quality transfer punches and center punches.
Thanks in advance
Scott


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

IMHO you want top quality center punches. (Starrett, Mayhew, etc)

For transfer punches you can go with the value brand. Just give the transfer punch a light tap and then follow up with the center punch.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

IMHO you want top quality center punches. (Starrett, Mayhew, etc)

For transfer punches you can go with the value brand. Just give the transfer punch a light tap and then follow up with the center punch.

That’s how I do it.

I’m embarrassed how long it took me to get a set of transfer punches, but they are one of my favorite tools. Projects look better and less aggravation.

 

[Kevin54]

Homemade from drill blanks. Last a lifetime. I have a set that is almost 40 years old now.

 

[zmotorsports]

I really like my Spellman Mfg. sets that I purchased two years ago. Very nice quality.



I also purchased a set of 1/2”-1” transfer punches which I have not had before. These are an import set from Taiwan and seem to be of good quality although the stamped steel stand is a little weakly executed.

 

[lis2323]

That’s how I do it.

I’m embarrassed how long it took me to get a set of transfer punches, but they are one of my favorite tools. Projects look better and less aggravation.

Me three! Light taps on the transfer punches because that is all they are designed for. The cheap ones will last forever.

 

[lis2323]

I really like my Spellman Mfg. sets that I purchased two years ago. Very nice quality.



I also purchased a set of 1/2”-1” transfer punches which I have not had before. These are an import set from Taiwan and seem to be of good quality although the stamped steel stand is a little weakly executed.

I need to get those. [emoji1]

 

[lis2323]

Here’s mine. Cheap imports and homemade.

 

[dr_clyde]

I went through 3 sets of cheap imports before I finally bought Spellman transfer punches.

The cheap ones just don't hold their point as well, especially on stainless.

We did a project where we would have to transfer about a half dozen holes onto a whole bunch of stainless hand railing, and we had to re-sharpen the transfer punches after evey dozen holes. No matter how soft we tapped the punch.

The spellman ones just last. Never had to touch one up.

Whatever brand McMaster sells as singles are hard as a monkey's uncle too. They hold up damn good, albeit unlabeled.

As far a regular center punches and ***** punches, Starrett, Mayhew and Snap-on have worked well for me for years.

AVOID DASCO. They are utter garbage.

 

[RTM]

I bought this one for a friend, he seems happy with it.

https://www.victornet.com/detail/TP-01.html

I have a cheap set which he birrowed while awaiting, said about the same quality

 

[2oolhound]

Mine were $6 on sale. I don't use them everyday and when I do I touch the area with a yellow paint pen 1st and then just a light tap to mark center and follow with a ***** punch then a heavy center punch. If I need bigger than 1/2 I wrap masking tape around the 1/2 one until it's tight in the hole. I'd love a set of Spellmans but this gets me by.

 

[Kenstone1]

Funny you mention both transfer punches AND center punches...
Most transfer punch failures can be traced to using them as center punches
Transfer punches are made to leave a small witness mark to be struck AGAIN with a center punch.
Some have trouble with this concept
jmo

 

[rlitman]

Funny you mention both transfer punches AND center punches...
Most transfer punch failures can be traced to using them as center punches
Transfer punches are made to leave a small witness mark to be struck AGAIN with a center punch.
Some have trouble with this concept
jmo

Well, I had the top of a HF transfer punch mushroom to the point that it wouldn't go back in the stand, after using it to mark WOOD for a few dozen holes. But yes, you're right.

I'm going to remember the post above yours about using a paint pen first. I might use a crayon though.

 

[lis2323]

Well, I had the top of a HF transfer punch mushroom to the point that it wouldn't go back in the stand, after using it to mark WOOD for a few dozen holes. But yes, you're right.

I'm going to remember the post above yours about using a paint pen first. I might use a crayon though.

Soapstone works well also.

 

[Kenstone1]

Well, I had the top of a HF transfer punch mushroom to the point that it wouldn't go back in the stand, after using it to mark WOOD for a few dozen holes. But yes, you're right.

I'm going to remember the post above yours about using a paint pen first. I might use a crayon though.

So belt sand or grind a bigger bevel on the punch's hammer end

yep "paint" up the area with a magic marker works for me.
Or even some blue painters tape...
For steel anyways,

 

[BTL-A4]

I bought these for about $15:
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/524288

The reviews for the HF ones were bad.

One of the tips on mine is just a little deformed, but I may have hit it too hard on steel. These work fine on wood. If I were to do this again, I think I'd spend the money and get some better ones, though. I find myself using them more than I thought.

These are $85 (Chinese import):
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/1092490

These are $70 (Spellmaco, made in China):
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/524284

 

[1982fxr]

Is Spellmaco the only US maker?

Epstein's used to list C.S. Osborne as USA but now they are China...

 

[1982fxr]

I bought these for about $15:
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/524288

The reviews for the HF ones were bad.

One of the tips on mine is just a little deformed, but I may have hit it too hard on steel. These work fine on wood. If I were to do this again, I think I'd spend the money and get some better ones, though. I find myself using them more than I thought.

These are $85 (Chinese import):
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/1092490

These are $70 (Spellmaco, made in China):
https://pts-tools.com/catalogue/product/524284

Damn are all Spellmaco Chinese?

 

[rlitman]

Soapstone works well also.

I'll try that. Sharpie is one of my go-to marking fluids as well.

So belt sand or grind a bigger bevel on the punch's hammer end

yep "paint" up the area with a magic marker works for me.
For steel anyways,

I didn't need to be that drastic. Just a few seconds working around it with a stone had the mushroom removed. I was just surprised at how soft it was.