Gunsmithing Brass Punch Help...

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Looking to pick up a set of quality punches, what would the
folks that "know" recommend.
.
Its going to be for home use so doesnt have to be super high end but dont want cheap junk that'll bend after two uses.
.
Any recommendations are welcomed

 

[RADcustom]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

Why brass?

These are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S565WB-Drive-Punch-Pieces/dp/B00008IHTJ

and they make them in brass too.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2

 

[Millennium200]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

Check out Brownells they have several types.

 

[hero's machine]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

Many of my local tool suppliers sell mayhew brand. They seem to last well. I have some by proto and snap on too, I can't tell any difference........except cost. I built some out of bronze.....they are lifetime punches for sure.

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

Get the ones from Brownell's that have the steel body with the brass or nylon screw off head. You can put whatever head on that you need for the job.

 

[cskills290ny]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

Check out a local estate sale, you find bargains there on tools (power and old school hand tools)- I have been super fortunate when making the drive to PA.

 

[Apex Motorsports]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

If you want to get a full set. Make sure you get "roll pin punches". They center on the pins and make your life easier, I got a set from amazon that were decent for like 25, and a starter pin set for about 40? The starter pin punches aren't required but will make getting the pins in the upper and lower receivers easier. Keep in mind you will need different punches if you intend on doing A1/A2 sight work, or a front sight post vs backup iorn sights only.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bryan27]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why brass?

These are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S565WB-Drive-Punch-Pieces/dp/B00008IHTJ

and they make them in brass too.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2</div></div>

+1

I've recently been looking for a set of punches and really haven't found what I wanted locally. I've used Starrett punches before and they are a high quality tool. Just keep in mind that if you go with brass punches, it doesn't take much to bend the smaller punches no matter how high the quality is. I'll probably end up getting the steel punches and use a small peice of electrical tape trimmed with a razor on the end when I'm concerned with marring the finish on something. The only time I've scratched the finish on something with a steel punch is when I've snapped one of my cheap 1/16" punches. It would be a good idea to get a 4-6 ounce brass hammer to keep from getting carried away too, I have yet to find what I'd consider a good quality lightweight brass/nylon hammer anywhere. Anyone have a suggestion on that?

 

[nitehawk01]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why brass?

These are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S565WB-Drive-Punch-Pieces/dp/B00008IHTJ

and they make them in brass too.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2</div></div>

+1

I've recently been looking for a set of punches and really haven't found what I wanted locally. I've used Starrett punches before and they are a high quality tool. Just keep in mind that if you go with brass punches, it doesn't take much to bend the smaller punches no matter how high the quality is. I'll probably end up getting the steel punches and use a small peice of electrical tape trimmed with a razor on the end when I'm concerned with marring the finish on something. The only time I've scratched the finish on something with a steel punch is when I've snapped one of my cheap 1/16" punches. It would be a good idea to get a 4-6 ounce brass hammer to keep from getting carried away too, I have yet to find what I'd consider a good quality lightweight brass/nylon hammer anywhere. Anyone have a suggestion on that? </div></div>


Amazon has a bunch of hammers listed under "gunsmithing hammers". Brownells has a bunch of different ones also. I got a couple off a guy on the Sig forum called "shooboy" He machines his from scratch. Reasonable prices but not cheap. I see he has a web page under construction now.
Shooboy web page

Here is a write up about the hammer.
Shooboy hammer write up

 

[Bryan27]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nitehawk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryan27</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why brass?

These are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S565WB-Drive-Punch-Pieces/dp/B00008IHTJ

and they make them in brass too.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2</div></div>

+1

I've recently been looking for a set of punches and really haven't found what I wanted locally. I've used Starrett punches before and they are a high quality tool. Just keep in mind that if you go with brass punches, it doesn't take much to bend the smaller punches no matter how high the quality is. I'll probably end up getting the steel punches and use a small peice of electrical tape trimmed with a razor on the end when I'm concerned with marring the finish on something. The only time I've scratched the finish on something with a steel punch is when I've snapped one of my cheap 1/16" punches. It would be a good idea to get a 4-6 ounce brass hammer to keep from getting carried away too, I have yet to find what I'd consider a good quality lightweight brass/nylon hammer anywhere. Anyone have a suggestion on that? </div></div>


Amazon has a bunch of hammers listed under "gunsmithing hammers". Brownells has a bunch of different ones also. I got a couple off a guy on the Sig forum called "shooboy" He machines his from scratch. Reasonable prices but not cheap. I see he has a web page under construction now.
Shooboy web page

Here is a write up about the hammer.
Shooboy hammer write up

</div></div>

A lot of the smaller brass hammers I've picked up have just been junk, one thing I can't stand is the head being loose before I ever even use the thing. Others feel heavy in the handle, light in the head, not really an ideal hammer. May just have to make my own to get what I want. Those shooboy hammers look like good quality, wouldn't mind testing one out, but for $50 I doubt I will as it doesn't look like what I'm looking for.

 

[Bryan27]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why brass?

These are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-S565WB-Drive-Punch-Pieces/dp/B00008IHTJ

and they make them in brass too.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4/ref=pd_sbs_indust_2</div></div>

I just ended up getting both of those sets, talked myself into it. Amazon was the cheapest I could find and it was free shipping to boot, so both sets were less than a bill to my door. The brass set comes in a very nice cordura pouch and the steel set comes in a pretty decent plastic container. I'm glad I got them. Also, last night I ended up buying a few "grace" brand hammers off of midway that I hope to have by this weekend. They look to be good quality and the review were all positive, I'll let yall know if they're any good when I get them.

 

[Papagrizzly]

Re: Brass Punch Help...

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Pc-Combination-Brass-Steel-Pin-Punch-Set/H5806