Good Punch/Roll-Pin Punch Sets?

[1911ShooterTJ]

I'm looking for a pin punch set for general firearm work, as well as a roll-pin punch set. Can anyone recommend a good set of punches and roll-pin punches that I can purchase online (i.e. MidwayUSA, etc).

Also, any thoughts of brass vs. steel. I take it brass means less possibility of maring your gun, and steel for strength?

Thanks!

 

[Clipper]

I use brass when I have to use a hammer, and steel when I can use a press, or when the pin is recessed and there is no danger of the drift slipping off the pin...

 

[GreenFurniture]

Starrett.

That's the only ones that matter.

 

[Jim K]

Make sure you get, or make, several of the smaller punches with a very short shank to use as a starter punch. The short shank keeps the punch from bouncing on the material and also reduces or eliminates breakage. Once the pin is started, you change over to the regular length punch.

Punches made of brass or aluminum sound good as they supposedly won't mar steel. In fact, they can mar steel and if the pin is really tight, a soft punch will bend or flatten and do no good at all.

Jim

 

[Clipper]

Don't get all fired up about brand names, either. Sterrett and Brown & Sharpe, etc, have big pricetags that are largely undeserved. Things like punches are made from softer, less sophisticated steels, and brass is brass, for the most part. You'll be deforming and regrinding them a lot, and it makes no sense to pay twice as much for a name, when a Chinese-made cheapie will do. Save your money for better screwdrivers, measuring tools and wrenches, etc...

 

[Jim K]

Well, Chinese made cheapies will do, but they tend to bend and break a lot quicker than the better ones. (Actually, a lot of Chinese stuff is excellent; the cheap stuff is coming from Bangladesh.)

Jim

 

[Onmilo]

Starrett for pin punches and Brownells for roll pin punches and holders.
Starrett also offers a couple of excellent automatic center punches that make life easier.

You can make your own roll pin punches if you have access to a small lathe.
Use a pin punch the same external diameter of the roll pin you wish to punch out and turn down a centering pin just under the diameter of the roll pin centerhole and no more than .075" in length.

Roll pin holder/starter punches can be made in similar fashion by choosing a pin punch larger in diameter than the roll pin.
Chuck the punch in the headstock and use a wire guage drill approximately the same diameter as the roll pin chucked in the tailstock.
Feed the tailstocked stationary drill into the rotating punch no more than half as deep as the roll pin you need to hold.
You won't need to reheattreat or anneal the pin punch once it is drilled if you go slow, take several small cuts instead of one big hog out and use plenty of tap oil on the bit. HTH

 

[chris allen]

punches

Check with each manufacture ,beleive it or not some give life time warranties!

 

[1911ShooterTJ]

I was just worried about them breaking and scratching the gun while using more than anything.

But I think I'll just go for a modestly priced set and buy new ones if the break.