Transfer punches, what are you using?

[PFSard]

Another victim of monte's...
I think by now we can start a club

Monte's recommendations are great. I've yet to become a member of the club, but I think it's just a matter of time. Those transfer punches are enticing.

 

[Monte]

Congratulations guys welcome to the Transfer Punch Club (TPC) I bet you´ll love these punches ! They´re not cheap, but you´ll forget the price over the years

 

[Strouty]

Mine show as being delivered, so I will get to fondle them tonight.

 

[rodm1]

Enco had a nice set made in USA that seem to be really well made, except covered in all kinds of wonderful black slurry.

+1 even better buy some O1 drill rod and make your own.

 

[Monte]

If you only want to transfer a hole from one workpiece to another without damaging the surface i can recommend these deep hole markers:

 

[Kevin54]

I use a handmade set made from drill blanks. I've never lost a point on one in years.

 

[kelpaso1]

I too have the Chinese centers and agree they ****. My plan was to chuck them into a metal lathe, in a 3 jaw chuck and return the center points to be concentric with the shaft.

I have had success heat treating some Chinese tool steels and wouldn't hesitate to try that. You can heat just the end with a MAPP gas torch until it is non magnetic, then quench in water or oil. Bake in your kitchen oven at 350 or 400 for 20 minutes, then air cool.

You could probably fix 20 punches in an afternoon.

I was going to ask if you could harden them. Would like to try on my cheap set. How hot do you heat it before you quench? And is there any difference between using water or oil?