Shooting Bull Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 My skills as a gunsmith are very well documented. As the master metal mangler that I am I'm going to blame my tools. (Or lack thereof) Instead of using various sized nails I think I'll ask Santa for an actual set of punches. Anyone have suggestions for a good set?
LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Grace USA makes good punches. I've got a partial set, augmented with some fairly good Craftsman punches. I have a set of Snap-On roll pin punches that have served me well for many years.
Dusty Devil Dale Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 38 minutes ago, LawMan Mark, SASS #57095L said: Grace USA makes good punches. I've got a partial set, augmented with some fairly good Craftsman punches. I have a set of Snap-On roll pin punches that have served me well for many years. Really hard to beat Snap-on tools for being well designed and durable--pricey though. I don't know if they offer brass punches. Don't expect good tools to overcome lack of good craftsmanship skills and knowledge (such as which direction to drive pins out and in). But like in most everything else, that experience comes faster, easier, and better with good tooling. It's near-impossible to good gunsmithing without good punches and screwdrivers that exactly fit the task.
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Punches are pretty simple, so finding the "Best" is not really necessary (compared to say a screw driver or tips set). As long as the steel is properly hardened, they will work a LONG time, and can be touched up on a grinder. Brass punches are just as important, especially for sights and pins showing on the outside surface. Ask for a set of both! Then, next year, ask for a set of hollow-pin punches for those few guns with roll pins. Good luck, GJ
Eyesa Horg Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 My steel punches are Starret and very nice. Just order a couple extra 1/16" one though as they bend real easy. I got mine thru Brownell's
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 For roll or solid pins, I would look at Brownells OLG
Loophole LaRue, SASS #51438 Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-SB565Z-Brass-Punches-Pieces/dp/B003YL3AK4 LL
Cat Brules Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 I suggest that you also consider getting the right size ball peen hammer to strike the smaller punches safely, with precise results. Cat Brules
Happy Jack, SASS #20451 Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Almost all my punches are from Starrett or Snalp On. However I have a set of the "replaceable pin" punches from Brownells. Not as sturdy as the fixed steel ones, but you can get short pins for them that are great for starting small pins. Long tiny diameter pin punches from the best companies bend easily and the short Brownells replaceable pins solve that problem.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 A 1911 firing pin(pre-series 80)works well too. OLG
Old Man Graybeard Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Wheeler makes a nice set of roll pin punches. When you first look at them...you think it is a double set of punches. The ones that look like flat punches are pin starters. They are actually hollow...so you can put a pin inside the punch to start it. I think wheeler may make a set of flat punches also. The set even comes with a small two faced hammer
Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Are you trying to tell me that the 16 penny nail I have in my tool set has been replaced by some sort of new fangled tool, that works like the 16 penny nail but isn't called a 16 penny nail???
Shooting Bull Posted October 29, 2019 Author Posted October 29, 2019 2 hours ago, Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 said: Are you trying to tell me that the 16 penny nail I have in my tool set has been replaced by some sort of new fangled tool, that works like the 16 penny nail but isn't called a 16 penny nail??? That’s what I’m being told. Still not 100% convinced it’s true. Just window shopping for now.
Shooting Bull Posted October 29, 2019 Author Posted October 29, 2019 This looks promising Wheeler set Thoughts?
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 1 minute ago, Shooting Bull said: This looks promising Wheeler set Thoughts? China made........ Have you looked at Brownells yet? Do you want steel or brass? OLG
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Just now, Shooting Bull said: Or this? Set #2 Not bad at all-Highly rated....... Is that a right or left hand hammer in that kit? OLG
Shooting Bull Posted October 29, 2019 Author Posted October 29, 2019 2 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: China made........ Have you looked at Brownells yet? Do you want steel or brass? OLG Have not looked at Brownell’s yet. Steel or brass? Beats me. You tell me.
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted October 29, 2019 Posted October 29, 2019 Brass won't mark up the gun for like sight installs etc. Steel for removing steel cross pins and such. The set#2 I think will work great. HINT-You can slip a .22 rf case over a smaller dia drift punch to keep from mar'n up a sight's finish........ OLG
Old Man Graybeard Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 Neither of the Wheeler sets you have looked at are what I have
Old Man Graybeard Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 What I have is the Wheeler master roll pin punch set
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 You know they make different size nails for different size pins. You just have to match the tool to the job.
Cat Brules Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 11 hours ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: For roll or solid pins, I would look at Brownells OLG Get a set of punches from Brownells. Everything I’ve ever purchased from them has been of first quality and has never failed. If you DON’T have their catalog, call the number below and order the catalog for a small price. It has a TON of firearms and other, related information and data as well as a wealth of products, materials and supplies. You can order the punches now from the website link, below. BROWNELLS 200 South Front StreetMonteza IA 50171 (641) 623-5401 http://www.brownells.com/ Cat Brules
Shooting Bull Posted October 30, 2019 Author Posted October 30, 2019 9 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said: You know they make different size nails for different size pins. You just have to match the tool to the job. True, but they make me buy the whole box when I only need one. ☹️
largo casey #19191 Posted October 30, 2019 Posted October 30, 2019 Proto also makes some nice punch sets & you can buy each one seppratly Largo
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 On 10/29/2019 at 8:50 AM, Cat Brules said: I suggest that you also consider getting the right size ball peen hammer to strike the smaller punches safely, with precise results. Cat Brules Really????? a 5lb sledge is not one size fits all???
Cat Brules Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 12 minutes ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said: Really????? a 5lb sledge is not one size fits all??? Yeah, it’ll probably work just fine! Shoot! Who needs all those different hammers, anyway? Cat Brules
Shooting Bull Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 12 hours ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said: Really????? a 5lb sledge is not one size fits all??? NOW you tell me.
Grizzly Dave Posted October 31, 2019 Posted October 31, 2019 The best punch set is the one you can find when you need it. Otherwise you snip the point off a nail, file off the rough edges and use that.
Shooting Bull Posted October 31, 2019 Author Posted October 31, 2019 2 hours ago, Grizzly Dave said: The best punch set is the one you can find when you need it. Otherwise you snip the point off a nail, file off the rough edges and use that. Why am I just now learning all this stuff???
Cat Brules Posted November 1, 2019 Posted November 1, 2019 uh uh! Nooo! Get a set of real punches....small to medium, to start with, from Brownells. Look at your guns and get punches to fit the pins you need to remove. Push the pins out in the proper direction, if you can determine whether the pins are “directional” or not. Also read through the catalog offerings for gunsmith tools.
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