Over at Harry Epstein Co, I was checking out their NOS (new old stock) Craftsman tools when I came across this 20pc punch and chisel set.
I have a couple of Craftsman punches in my tool box, and maybe a chisel or two, and regret not buying more of them when I had the chance. I don’t recall who the OEM was, but they’re made in the USA, and they’ve held up well for me.
Here, with this Harry Epstein deal, you get a 20-piece punch and chisel set that includes the following tool sizes and styles:
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- 42971 1/4″ Cold Chisel
- 42973 1/2″ Cold Chisel
- 42974 5/8″ Cold Chisel
- 42975 3/4″ Cold Chisel
- 42976 7/8″ Cold Chisel
- 42862 1/2″ Center Punch
- 42841 3/8″ Prick Punch
- 42905 1/8″ Taper Punch
- 42882 3/32″ Pin Punch
- 42885 3/16″ Pin Punch
- 42886 1/4″ Pin Punch
- 42212 1/8″ Roll Pin Punch
- 42213 5/32″ Roll Pin Punch
- 42215 7/32″ Roll Pin Punch
- 42217 1/4″ Roll Pin Punch
- 42218 5/16″ Roll Pin Punch
- 42219 5/32″ Long Pin Punch
- 42220 3/16″ Long Pin Punch
- 42221 7/32″ Long Pin Punch
- 42222 1/4″ Long Pin Punch
Plus, it all comes in a Leather Works LTD USA-made canvas tool roll.
Price: $48 plus shipping
Even with shipping, the set is less expensive than the other USA-made punch sets I can find online at the moment. Seems like a very good buy, if you can use most of the punches or chisels in your work.
A word of warning – Harry Epstein’s tool catalog is a fantastic collection of new and older tools. If you don’t have time to browse around, go back when you do. For instance, who knew that you could buy Korean War-era punches?
fred
At one time Sears contracted with Mayhew for most of their punches and chisels. At $48 this seems a very good deal for a 20 Piece set – if you compare it to Mayhew sets on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Mayhew-62287-Punch-Chisel-Piece/dp/B01MS1ALXZ/
Adam
OEM is Western Forge.
I just got done collecting most of those, one by one from the nearest Hometown Store, all USA. No USA roll-pins were available, but I don’t even know what those are for. There is also a ‘line up tool” series that one might want to look for, if they are looking at having a complete set, #’s 42901, 42902, 42903 .Not to mention a 2nd size center punch, 42861.
Stuart
I believe that roll pin punches are best used on hollow spring pins. Image search: https://www.google.com/search?q=spring+pin&tbm=isch
They have a ball at the end that allows for self-centering and alignment, and might also help to prevent damage of the pin ends.
Corey
You are correct, Stuart. Roll pin punches are used for setting… Roll pins! Lol specifically with that small ball or dimple to prevent mushrooming the end from which one is setting the roll pin from. A deformed end can often result in preventing the roll pin from setting completely inside it’s hole and then being prone to rattling back out over time. In my experience anyways. It’s not a super common mechanism, cool to see others in the know ?
Todd
This looks like a nice set, I may have to grab one. I’m becoming quite a fan or leather and canvas tool rolls, I find I tend to keep my files and chisels together and undamaged with them. I had some Craftsman roll pin punches that came in a similar set back in the day, sans the tool roll, which never saw much use. I’ve long since ground them flat, or lost them. They are useful for some gun smith work, although I prefer using brass for that in the interest of not causing irreparable damage should it (blame the tool) slip.
I build a lot of my own semi stationary tools that I can’t afford the manufactured versions of, and usually use roll pins for fixing hand wheels to metal spindles or to fix spring loaded latches in place if they need to be serviceable and honestly forgot how much easier it is to set roll pins with the proper pin punch.
Dave
They are actually not all that necessary for “setting” roll pins but are indispensable for removing roll pins.
One can most generally easily install a roll pin with a hammer and a pliers, and many times it’s a preferred method.
Removal is another matter altogether. I prefer the proper-sized roll pin bit for an air hammer, but as long as the roll pins isn’t attached to a fragile ( thin metal prone to bending or cast iron prone to breaking) medium, the hand-held roll pin punches will do just fine.
Ryan
Isnt western forge owned by ideal which also owns sk tool company?
fred
The set of 9 roll-pin punches that I own – were made by SK. Parts #6151 (1/16) through #6160 (5/16 inch). They are sometimes referred to as pilot punches or gunsmith punches. Some sizes are made in both long and short shaft styles:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006VAGN4/
The Amazon link shows the tool roll for a Mayhew 12pc. set – but an inset picture of a 10pc. set.
fred
I should have also mentioned that there are punches designed for holding roll-pins and ones designed as starting punches
https://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=ROLL+PIN+PUNCH&ksubmit=y
fred
While on the topic of Roll Pins (aka spring pins or tension pins) – I might also add that they can be turned into cheap hole saws especially useful for drilling out broken-off screw shanks. You need to get a roll pin with an inner diameter large enough to slip over the screw shank. Then you file a cutting edge on the leading side (think about how a drill bit rotates to cut) of the roll pin split. Then just chuck your roll-pin hole saw and drill a hole around the broken screw shaft to grab it and remove it.
BJS
I could be totally wrong, but aren’t these made by Wilde Tool in Kansas City? I’m pretty sure they made the Craftsman prybars, so there’s history of them contracting. I have the Tekton punch and chisel set that I believe is also made by Wilde, and these look nearly identical.
fred
Sears went with many different OEM’s for hand tools.
Cal-Van, Easco, Mayhew, Midwest, Pratt-Read, Western Forge and Wilde were among some of their OEM’s . In later years – once UPC package labeling became commonplace – you could tell the OEM from the first 6 digits of the package UPC.
UPC Prefixes are: Cal-Van (047084) , Easco (714994), Mayhew (045256), Midwest (727226), Pratt-Read (757595), Western Forge (648738) and Wilde (085432)
TIA – also published a list of some Sears part number prefixes that may help pinpoint an OEM – but I have items like a wheelbarrow that has part #452.87186 – and the TIA list suggests that AT&T might be the OEM – but I don’t think that AT&T’s Western Electric made wheelbarrows.
http://toolsinaction.com/power-tool-manufacturers/craftsman-power-tool-company/sears-and-craftsman-source-product-code/
Adam
I mentioned above they are Western Forge. I’m now looking at a picture of the 15 or so I own (punches, chisels, center punch, line up tool) to double check, and all are stamped WF.
fred
Western Forge and Pratt-Read – now both subsidiaries of Ideal – also produced lots of screwdrivers for Sears-Craftsman
Tom
If you’re ordering from Epsteins, don’t forget to ask for box art!
Thom
I picked this set up.. Excellent value for $50. I can confirm they are Western Forge.