Alternatives to Waldron punch and die set

Racedriver wrote:

I went to Harbor Freight yesterday and got a punch set that went from 3/32 to 1/2 inch 9 punches total for $11.00. Work great.

mfsob wrote:

With the pending closing of Waldron, and what seems to be a drastic increase in the price of their punch and die sets due to the pending scarcity, has anyone found a practical alternative for those small sizes?

Here's a great site for all of you who are worried about buying a punch set.. You can buy it here:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/misc/aedpd.htm

                                  Have a fun day........."RC"

wing_nut

MikeV wrote:

I wonder how this set will work? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47734

 

 

No resaon that should not work.  Only problem is the size.  The 1/8" may be practical for some instruments... maybe the 3/16 if you are doing soem large scale.

 

There was sometiong one time about making a set from drill bit shafts, plexglass and a hockey puck.  Anyone rememeber that or better yet... have the plans?

 

wing_nut

MikeV wrote:

I wonder how this set will work? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47734

 

 

No resaon that should not work.  Only problem is the size.  The 1/8" may be practical for some instruments... maybe the 3/16 if you are doing soem large scale.

 

There was sometiong one time about making a set from drill bit shafts, plexglass and a hockey puck.  Anyone rememeber that or better yet... have the plans?

 

really small enough for smaller scale details.

Wow, this is an old thread.    I remember wanting to get a Waldron set years ago when I was planning to get into kit building.  When I finally did, they were out of business.  I did buy a micro punch set from Micro-Mark.  I think it was $60, but I had a coupon, and really wanted it.  Punches range from 1 to 5 mm, each punch increasing by .5 mm.  Have not used it a lot yet, but see it will come in handy in the future.

I've got the Micro mark set and use it quite a bit. Has seemed to hold up ok. Also have the Harbor Freight set. It's ok for regular shop work, but pretty sloppy for the type of work used in modeling. But still, I've used it some. UMM-USA has a comprehensive list of punch sets, in several shapes other than round. Priced similar to the Micro mark set. However, I' recently tried to order from them and was unable to get the website to place my order. E-mailed John, but got no reply, so I would make a phone call first.

This is an 11 year old thread guys............... just saying.

So what if it's been resurrected?  The thread is no less relevant today, than when it was first posted or last responded to.

I use the Micro-Mark set.  I use it a lot, and my only complaint with it is that mine had no calibration markings, certainly nothing on the die plate (the clear piece) nor on the punches.  But it's never really been a problem.  I've been meaning to measure them and then make a storage box for them, but that project is at the back of a queue of many projects.  Right now, I keep the die and the taps in one of those flat metal tins that AOL, Juno, and other IT providers used to use to ship discs out to people, when they were soliciting accounts.  They make great storage boxes for things like this.  I use another one for my Flex-i-File set.

Along with Micro-Mark's punch-and-die set, I bought a jeweler's hammer, with a nylon face on one side and a metal face on the other.  Both faces screw into the head of the hammer.  I use that to drive the punches, striking them with the nylon face.  I had been using a home-made wooden mallet, before I bought that hammer.

Another punch-and-die set I have is RP Toolz hex punch set.  It's great for making bolt heads in various small scales.

I also worked out a way to catch the piece I'm tapping out:  I put the die plate across a metal jar lid.  The material falls into the lid and it's easy to retrieve it, without having it fly off somewhere.

the Baron

So what if it's been resurrected?  The thread is no less relevant today, than when it was first posted or last responded to.

I use the Micro-Mark set.  I use it a lot, and my only complaint with it is that mine had no calibration markings, certainly nothing on the die plate (the clear piece) nor on the punches.  But it's never really been a problem.  I've been meaning to measure them and then make a storage box for them, but that project is at the back of a queue of many projects.  Right now, I keep the die and the taps in one of those flat metal tins that AOL, Juno, and other IT providers used to use to ship discs out to people, when they were soliciting accounts.  They make great storage boxes for things like this.  I use another one for my Flex-i-File set.

Along with Micro-Mark's punch-and-die set, I bought a jeweler's hammer, with a nylon face on one side and a metal face on the other.  Both faces screw into the head of the hammer.  I use that to drive the punches, striking them with the nylon face.  I had been using a home-made wooden mallet, before I bought that hammer.

Another punch-and-die set I have is RP Toolz hex punch set.  It's great for making bolt heads in various small scales.

 

Baron,

I was not aware to the RP range of punch and dies until you mentioned it. I like the hex punch set and was thinking of getting it. .7 mm is the smallest punch correct. Would you recomend buying it directly from RP or could I get one on the mainland for less. Glad this thread was ressurected.

Thanks..

RX7850

the Baron

So what if it's been resurrected?  The thread is no less relevant today, than when it was first posted or last responded to.

I use the Micro-Mark set.  I use it a lot, and my only complaint with it is that mine had no calibration markings, certainly nothing on the die plate (the clear piece) nor on the punches.  But it's never really been a problem.  I've been meaning to measure them and then make a storage box for them, but that project is at the back of a queue of many projects.  Right now, I keep the die and the taps in one of those flat metal tins that AOL, Juno, and other IT providers used to use to ship discs out to people, when they were soliciting accounts.  They make great storage boxes for things like this.  I use another one for my Flex-i-File set.

Along with Micro-Mark's punch-and-die set, I bought a jeweler's hammer, with a nylon face on one side and a metal face on the other.  Both faces screw into the head of the hammer.  I use that to drive the punches, striking them with the nylon face.  I had been using a home-made wooden mallet, before I bought that hammer.

Another punch-and-die set I have is RP Toolz hex punch set.  It's great for making bolt heads in various small scales.

 

Baron,

I was not aware to the RP range of punch and dies until you mentioned it. I like the hex punch set and was thinking of getting it. .7 mm is the smallest punch correct. Would you recomend buying it directly from RP or could I get one on the mainland for less. Glad this thread was ressurected.

Thanks..

 

I just might order one.

Thanks