Quality Punch set

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Ok so I went to the Gun Show this weekend and bought some SE brand punches. They looked good and I was told by the vender they were good quality. Theay are chineese crap. Almost all the sizes, mainly the 1/16" were to big to help me in a pistol front sight change. $20 later I now realize I only have a few punches that will work for me. Now the question. What is the best quality )or at least made in America) punch set I can get? Please include a Brand and/or link. Thanks all.

 

[Lee Roder]

I don't know where they're made but I buy the sizes I need from Brownells. Quality-wise I've not bent or broken one yet so I guess they're ok

 

[Mac's Precision]

Stick to what I use and you will be fine...

Starrett or Grace... Both are fine for strength and hardness

Starrett is prettier with the knurling design.. Grace is made from hex stock....

I have been using a set of each for 15 years.. I have retipped them a few times but still going strong

Both are top shelf. Both are excellent companies

Cheers
Mac.

 

[MCK45ACP]

These are what I use at work and in my shop.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PARTPG=IMLMKD&PMPXNO=2222717

 

[Drail]

one word...Starrett. I used to really like Grace's products but they don't seem to be the same quality they used to have.

 

[Jim K]

If you are going to do much gun work, make sure to also buy a set of Brownell's cup end punches for those rounded pins; otherwise, the gun will look like heck.

Jim

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Ah good call. Rounded pins such as the pins that hold on the AR fixed frond sight? Because I will be using them for that.

 

[Jim K]

There are many rounded pins used in guns, especially the older ones. Using a flat end punch will not only be a sign of amateur work, but may distort them enough to make them more difficult to remove.

Jim

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

Hm thanks again for the suggestion.

 

[BSWilson]

Starrett punches for general use.

For AR15 taper pins, go to home depot and get a concave nail punch. You don't want to ruin good punches on those SOB's.

ACE hardware & Harbor freight aren't hard enough and will bend & break.

BTW, don't forget eye pro. I've seen more than one punch shatter.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I do have some of those for trim work. You do mean use a nail set for finish nails right?

 

[BSWilson]

Yep, but one of the fatter ones. I'd rather kill a $3 individual punch that I can return to H.D. than ruin one from a $40 set.

 

[dagger dog]

Midway has a nice set from Starret with starters and pin punches.

A lot of hobby gunsmiths make the mistake of trying to remove pins with the wrong punch, you have to use the tapered starter punch to move the pin first then use the pin punch to drive it out. If it doesn't move with the starter punch on the first few blows don't hit harder, but rather use a heavier hammer.
Also as stated in the previous post there are cup ,and dome punches used to remove rounded end pins and roll pins.

 

[nelsonal]

They're not AR-15 specific, nor are they roll pin punches, but Baltimore Tool Works makes a very nice small punch set that I found at Home Depot.

 

[BBBBill]

I've got Starrett and Mayhew from Brownells. Very satisfied with both. Even Craftsman is junk these days.

 

[Fleet]

Hit the Snap-On truck. Made here and if you break one, they'll replace it for free. Best pin punches I've got. Same goes for their roll pin punches. Also, check out the replaceable pin punches from Brownells. Also, Brownells has the only cup-tipped punches I've ever seen.

 

[dirtyjim]

i have some starrett, some grace, some that i've picked up in the tool bins a pawnshops.
when i need an odd size or just something that i don't have on hand i make them from a grade 8 bolt or 0-1 tool steel. i'll just chuck it up in my lathe and turn it to the size & length needed. if its going to be used a lot i'll harden it if its only needs to be used once or twice i'll just use it as is.

 

[wally]

I got a nice set of Lyman roll pin punches from Cheaper than Dirt about five years ago. I recall they were about $12 for the set and have served me very well.

For straight pin punches a set of the cheap brass Chinese ones have given good service, and for steel pin punches I've bought only the sizes I actually need from Ace hardware one at a time as needed, they say "DRASCO Pro made in USA" and run about $4 each.