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Roll pin punches that aren’t chinesium trash?

Stix

Stix

Resident hick....
Joined
May 19, 2020
Member Number
344
Messages
213
Loc
Out in the rice
They are all soft as butter. Fucking garbage. I’ve used the Snappy ones and they are awesome. Anything that good that doesn’t cost a fortune? I’ll bite the bullet and hit up the truck if I have too....:shaking:
 
See if you can find some old craftsman ones on CL or marketplace. My ~25 year old ones I've beat the shit out of for all the wrong reasons and still kicking ass.
 
I got a nice Irwin set at Home Depot. I can't find the exact set I've got listed anywhere, mine came with a couple cold chisels too.

Something like this:


Then I found myself in need of a cold chisel while doing a trail repair, so the Irwin kit moved to my trail bag, and after significant review I got this for my shop set:

Astro Pneumatic 1600

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

While shopping I also bought a used Matco SPC6PA set off of eBay to supplement the Astro Pneumatic just in case they weren't up to the task, I was more interested in the Matco chisels than the punches. Granted I haven't used either just a ton since getting them, but they're both a heck of a lot better than my old HF set that's all mushroomed and or bent.

It's been too long ago to still have the Matco set in my eBay history but I think they were $30-40.


I've given the AR Stoner set with roll pin starter punches that Midway sells as gifts a few times now. I've given an "AR starter kit" to a few friends that were interested but too insecure to just buy it. That AR Stoner punch set is a lot nicer than my Wheeler and Chinesium Amazon "armorers punches."
 
Stix said:
They are all soft as butter. Fucking garbage. I’ve used the Snappy ones and they are awesome. Anything that good that doesn’t cost a fortune? I’ll bite the bullet and hit up the truck if I have too....:shaking:
Click to expand...
Find out when snappy is having there sale on them, when I worked the bus a few years back they had a crazy sale on them, almost enough for me to buy a set but not being in the field anymore I didn't have a use for them. Just don't buy them separately unless you want to fund his kids tuition to Harvard.
 
I have a Snap On set from about 2010 and they are soft as butter. I end up using normal punches.

Snap On rep said that's correct, supposed to bend instead of snap or some crap. May as well use a paper straw.

I got mine from work. The guys kept turning them into waves, boss got pissed and had us buy Matco I think.
I made a full set of the ok shape ones, threw out the rest.
Wish I remembered what replaced Snappy cause they were decent.
 
I have a set of Proto roll pin punches that punch roll pins pretty well. I don't use them for anything else.
 
I used to bend all mine until I learned that you're supposed to start the roll pin moving using a tapered punch, and then once it's useless you switch to the appropriately sized pin punch. Now I don't fuck them up all the time (as much lol). I also have a couple sets that I've cut down to about 3/8" of useful length and 3/4" of useful length...

I have about 3 sizes that I use constantly, so progressing through the 4 different versions is easy and makes them live.
 
We used a lot of proto, Mayhew, and Dasco when I was in the oilfield. How well they last mostly was a function of how good or bad the operator was.

I have a grip set that I use to build ARs and I have no complaints.
 
Stix said:
They are all soft as butter. Fucking garbage. I’ve used the Snappy ones and they are awesome. Anything that good that doesn’t cost a fortune? I’ll bite the bullet and hit up the truck if I have too....:shaking:
Click to expand...
www.dakotariggers.com

Mayhew 24 pc Pro Punch & Chisel Set

Professional grade punch and chisel set with black oxide finish and carrying case, USA made, Mayhew brand This set is designed for durability and longevity, perfect for your most demanding projects. The black oxide finish helps to decrease corrosion and wear and tear, so you can count on this...
www.dakotariggers.com www.dakotariggers.com

This should serve you well. Shop the price
 
AKnate said:
Those are regular punches though.

Roll pin bunches have a little tit on the end for centering on roll pins.
Click to expand...

I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I've got some roll pin starter punches like in that AR Stoner kit I linked above, they've got a concave indentation to hold the roll pin. As the name suggests you get them started with that and finish driving it home with a regular punch.
 
Have a Mayhew set I bought 20+ years ago, have been great...no idea on current tho...ya, helpful..:homer:
 
Lee said:
I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I've got some roll pin starter punches like in that AR Stoner kit I linked above, they've got a concave indentation to hold the roll pin. As the name suggests you get them started with that and finish driving it home with a regular punch.
Click to expand...
We were required to use them on certain equipment and munitions.

T.O. says use xyz tool on step whatever, you can't do otherwise. Some even strict to the point only a certain brand and model tool can be used, even though it's an crazy expensive POS.
 
The Icon set from Harbor Freight is made in the USA by Mayhew and apparently the same as one of the $napon sets. Proabaly easier to warranty compared to some of the other options.
1721325548170.png
 
78bronco460 said:
I have a set of Proto roll pin punches that punch roll pins pretty well. I don't use them for anything else.
Click to expand...


I have Proto in my work van. Broke the 3/16 the other day pounding a painted, rusty, square nut out of a chrome socket I used on a 1/2" hi torque impact gun. I'm not disappointed.:flipoff2:
Replaced the broken one with a mayhew made in USA.

1000012356.jpg
 
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I have a snap on set and my dad has the bigger set, they've both been good. I have a S&K punch and chisel set on a service truck and they've been good, I cut a malleable iron plug out of a galvanized tank with it. I'd guess the S&K roll pin punches would also be quality.
 
I've broke old craftsman ones by trying to knock out a stuck pin, so those won't bend :homer:.
 
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