Seeking a reasonable Hole Punch Set

Dale Finch

Dale Finch

501 Club
I have been making gaskets for my cubs for quite a while, and have the 2 more common hole punch sizes, but I recently needed an IH Carb gasket, and realized that, although I have one of those fine templates that Bob McCarty made a few years ago, I didn't have the sized hole punches needed for that gasket. I'm a firm believer, that, within reason, it is important to have the correct tools, so I am asking for recommendations for a "reasonably priced" set, and maybe someone (Bob?) could post a list of the needed sizes. The various sets I have looked at online, do not have the same assortment of sizes.

Thanks!

Note: If I can get the needed hole punches, maybe we can have a gasket making session at the BASH, and you can go home with some spare carb (or other) gaskets!!
 
Also look up rotary hole punch on the internet.

Have one and a punch set. Both work well. The rotary punch has smaller diameter punches.
 
Bob, is the the set you are referring to? https://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-h ... -3838.html
image_18468.jpg
 
I have a set very similar to those, shown. I got mine from a tool vender at one of the shows, probably Portland. I've abused some of mine and damaged them but they still work ok.
 
Last night, using the procedure Bob posted above, I successfully sharpened the smaller of the 2 punches I have. Really easy, and sharp & smooth!

Unfortunately, my larger punch won't fit in my 1/2" drill press...maybe at the Bash.
 
I was near Harbor Freight yesterday, so went ahead and bought their ~$9.00 punch set. With the super success I had with that sharpening method above, I wasn't so worried about buying a "cheap" set!

Thanks, all, for your input! Oh, and I also bought their cutting board set (plastic) to replace the thin one I was currently using for cutting/punching gaskets.
 
I have the harbor freight set and they do a good job if kept sharp but sometimes they “blow out” the side of a gasket if punching a hole near the edge of a gasket. I’m an avid shooter and reload my own ammo so I have plenty of spent brass in various sizes and a spent case sharpened with a chamfering tool make excellent hole punches if you can find the appropriate size. The thin walls of the cases tend to not blow out the sides of a gasket. My local hobby shop sells small brass tubing in various sizes that can also be used for punches. I’ll sharpen it with the same chamfering tool I use for reloading. If I have a bunch of holes to put in a gasket I’ve been known to chuck my punch in my drill press and drill my holes rather than punch them with a hammer. A lot of times this works better with holes near the edge of a gasket but the punch has to be very sharp.
 
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