Transfer punches

[lardy1]

I'm looking for a set of transfer punches that won't get much use but I'd like to be able to use them more than once before the point flattens. The budget brands get pretty ****** reviews and I won't use them enough to justify top tier pricing.

Recommendations?

 

[dr_clyde]

Spellmaco aka Spellman Manufacturing Co is the ONLY brand of transfer punches worth buying.

 

[Willie Makeit]

most folks misuse transfer punches, resulting in flattened points. no need to hit them like a center punch, just lightly tap them, making a light mark THEN use the center punch to make the mark deeper & more defined.

I've got an older set of very expensive Starrett punches in my machinist toolbox BUT I also have a set of the <$20 Chinesium HF punches that I use for general shop/automotive/fabrication work ... the HF set gets way more use just because i don't really care about them and I've been using that set for about 10 years now.

 

[GeoBruin]

most folks misuse transfer punches, resulting in flattened points. no need to hit them like a center punch, just lightly tap them, making a light mark THEN use the center punch to make the mark deeper & more defined.

I've got an older set of very expensive Starrett punches in my machinist toolbox BUT I also have a set of the <$20 Chinesium HF punches that I use for general shop/automotive/fabrication work ... the HF set gets way more use just because i don't really care about them and I've been using that set for about 10 years now.

This is a great answer. I wanted a larger set of transfer punches (up to an inch) and the only way that was even remotely affordable was to go cheap. I actually got two sets - up to 1/4" and 1/4" through 1" - and told myself I would replace the smaller set with nicer punches when I found a deal or just decided to pony up the cash. But now after some time, and using them the way Makeit describes, these will likely last a very long time.

 

[slowtwitch73]

A while back there was seller on Ebay who had made in USA sets really cheap.

 

[ive]

Spellmaco aka Spellman Manufacturing Co is the ONLY brand of transfer punches worth buying.

Just looked at these. Seem very nice.

 

[purplezr2]

Spellmaco aka Spellman Manufacturing Co is the ONLY brand of transfer punches worth buying.

I concur, these would be my favorite, I have had cheaper ones before and they ****.

 

[dr_clyde]

most folks misuse transfer punches, resulting in flattened points. no need to hit them like a center punch, just lightly tap them, making a light mark THEN use the center punch to make the mark deeper & more defined.

I've got an older set of very expensive Starrett punches in my machinist toolbox BUT I also have a set of the <$20 Chinesium HF punches that I use for general shop/automotive/fabrication work ... the HF set gets way more use just because i don't really care about them and I've been using that set for about 10 years now.

True.

However, if you get good punches, you CAN hit them and not distort them.

The Spellmans have never distorted, the cheap ones flatten out even if you're gentle with them.

I use transfer punches almost daily, and we've had nothing but bad luck with the cheap ones, and we're gentle on them. All we use the for now is rough pin gages, they're almost useless as transfer punches. A couple taps on some stainless and they're done for. They last longer on steel and aluminum, but the cheap punches are not worth owning, IMO.

The tips on the spellman punches are very hard. The shanks are not hardened, so they will mushroom over time. On my set up to 1", we have had to regrind a few heads due to mushrooming. The tips are good as new.

Another EXCELLENT transfer tool are transfer SCREWS. Heimann made the best, but unfortunately they're no longer in business. Other companies make them though. They thread into a hole you want to transfer, then you can tap the plate or whatever you want to put the pattern on and they will ***** the surface where the hole is.

 

[RTM]

I have these, but only use them for wood, from Lee Valley. Buddy used them for a different project a few years back.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/punches/54892-transfer-punch-set?item=24K0540

 

[Nutria]

I found an older Enco set that's held up well. I haven't hit 'em hard, but lots of moderate force during use with hard steel.

 

[Jim Stabe]

I have 2 sets of HF transfer punches that I have used for 20 years. One set has full length shafts and the other is what I use when I have to shorten a punch for clearance issues. I use them on steel and aluminum and haven't had a problem flattening points. Maybe the older sets had a better heat treat???

 

[Rinspeed]

Not sure who they are made by but the ones McMaster-Carr carries hold up fairly well.

 

[plinker]

I have some inexpensive ones, a set from somewhere, Probably Enco, and some individual larger ones from Zoro (9/16-3/4 or so), I used them a lot for a few years, they do flatten with use but were fairly cheap so I bought replacements at the time. Light tap and re-punch with a center punch is the way to go on a budget.

 

[dr_clyde]

Not sure who they are made by but the ones McMaster-Carr carries hold up fairly well.

I'm pretty sure they are Spellman, I've ordered sets from McMaster, and they send Spellman. Would make sense they are the supplier for the singles too.

 

[ZRX61]

most folks misuse transfer punches, resulting in flattened points. no need to hit them like a center punch, just lightly tap them, making a light mark THEN use the center punch to make the mark deeper & more defined.

I've got an older set of very expensive Starrett punches in my machinist toolbox BUT I also have a set of the <$20 Chinesium HF punches that I use for general shop/automotive/fabrication work ... the HF set gets way more use just because i don't really care about them and I've been using that set for about 10 years now.

My chinesium ones are at least 20 years old, no flat points

 

[dr_clyde]

My chinesium ones are at least 20 years old, no flat points

Back then they knew how to work the heat treat oven haha

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm pretty sure they are Spellman, I've ordered sets from McMaster, and they send Spellman. Would make sense they are the supplier for the singles too.

I just did a google search and I’m certain you are correct on them being Spellman.

 

[Dave455]

Depending on what you are working with, can you get away with this type of transfer punch?

 

[slowtwitch73]

The ones I mentioned on Ebay are Spellman. 99$ obo 9$ shipping.

 

[dscheidt]

I just did a google search and I’m certain you are correct on them being Spellman.

If you ever really care, call them up, or send an email, they'll tell you. They don't list suppliers, because they change, or they have mulitple sources.

 

[RoninB4]

Depending on what you are working with, can you get away with this type of transfer punch?

I wouldn't trust these to locate in the center of the hole AND/OR remain perpendicular to the transfer surface. Even a slight angle will throw the location off when on thick material. Better to make a bushing (even plastic) and a cheap set of transfer punches for what these likely cost. Perhaps others have had luck with them but I've never even considered buying or using these.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Hf specials here

 

[lardy1]

Against my instincts (but within my budget) I ordered a cheap set from Bezos. If they don't fit my need for infrequent use I'm not out much.

I appreciate the input from all of you. My take is that there probably isn't much middle ground with these.

 

[tester19]

I really wished I had known the proper use of transfer punches compared to center punches as posted above!
I got a set from HF the first set I ever had. The first time I used it worked great. A combination transfer and center punch in one! Brilliant!

Until I saw what I did to the point. Maybe transfer punches should come with instructions so numpty's like me don't ruin them on the first try!
.
.
.

 

[Dave455]

I wouldn't trust these to locate in the center of the hole AND/OR remain perpendicular to the transfer surface. Even a slight angle will throw the location off when on thick material. Better to make a bushing (even plastic) and a cheap set of transfer punches for what these likely cost. Perhaps others have had luck with them but I've never even considered buying or using these.

Yes, that’s precisely the problem with these, but I’ve used them and found them to be o.k. Better than using a centre punch and estimating, if that’s the option. Obviously not as good as a transfer punch.

If I don’t need mega accuracy I just use these things now.

 

[dscheidt]

I really wished I had known the proper use of transfer punches compared to center punches as posted above!
I got a set from HF the first set I ever had. The first time I used it worked great. A combination transfer and center punch in one! Brilliant!

Until I saw what I did to the point. Maybe transfer punches should come with instructions so numpty's like me don't ruin them on the first try!
.
.
.

the other important point is you hit the transfer punch only once. you can't see if anything has moved, so a second hit can make a bigger mark, or two marks. Some layout or a swipe with a sharpie makes finding a very light mark easier.

 

[RoninB4]

When I didn't have a lathe to make a proper bushing (hole larger than punch) I've wrapped layers of clear tape around the punch until I got a close fit in the hole. Don't go for a tight fit, it will peel away layers on one side and throw the center off. Use what suits your application, I regrind the points on my transfer punch set.

 

[humber2]

Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon, cut with an axe.....

 

[nadogail]

I have noticed that many younger workers seem to have never seen a set of Transfer Punches. I am basing this on their remarks when I breakout mine.

 

[Gurp]

I didn't know I needed these until now.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought an inexpensive import set of transfer punches about 40 years ago. They have been used hundreds of times and remain in good condition. I DO NOT LEND MY TOOLS. This is the best way to make tools last.
I bought a complete set of Heimann Transfer Screws. The best way to get the picture and understand this transfer marker is to Google the name, Heimann Transfer Screws.
The attached picture shows some transfer pins I made. I used them to get proper alignment with the holes in the doors where the door upholstery panels attach with those plastic tree-like clips.

​