Alternatives to Waldron punch and die set

I just might order one.

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..

 

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

No question about that waikong.... but for 8 or 9 bucks thois falls into the #2 spot i think.

BTW  what time you getting to MosquitoCon?  I'll be at the front gate from 11-1.

Cableguy's right about the Maxi vs Mini, I picked up the last mini from ACMoore this weekend, they had a bunch of Maxi's and only 1 mini, so I almost picked up the wrong one. One nice thing the waldron set has over this is the clear plexiglass (?) holes where you can position you piece before cutting it out. Seems very precise for cutting out instrument gauges.

Good find there cableguy

This did not get much of a viewing in the General Discussion area and I should have put it here.

http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/599331/ShowPost.aspx

Just an FYI,

1) If you order a Tandy punch set, be POSITIVE you are getting the "Mini Punch Set" and not the "Maxi Punch Set".  There are two differents sets with different size punches.

2) I just did some digging around for information on the Tandy website.  On their website, you can order additional size punches for their punch sets.  They make one more size smaller than the smallest one in the "Mini Punch Set."  It is a "00" or 1/64" punch and it costs $1.49.  Below is the link to the page wehre this punch can be found.  (it is the third punch down from the top in the left row)

http://www.tandyleather.com/products.asp?dept=68&pagenumber=6

Hope this helps!

waikong wrote:

AC moore is a crafts store (like Michaels?), go to there web site to see if they have one in Ohio. The brand is Tandy, do a search on Tandy & punch, you'll see other places that sells it if you don't have an AC Moore near by.

Yeah...what he said

Geez, there's an AC Moore right down the street from where I live.......definitely have to stop in there and pick up a set of those. Thanks, Marc.

Found this Mini Punch Set, by LF Tandy, at AC Moore for $8 this morning.  5/64 the smallest up to 11/64.  Just a metal barrel with changeable tips.   

The small one worked great for cutting out small instruments.  These instruments are the smallest ones on a Mike grant 1/48 IP decal sheet. 

So I have to revise what I said in the previous post.  1/8” is huge.  The instruments in the pics are about ½ that.