Punch and die sets

[venom1]

Hey guys,

I am looking to invest in a good quality punch and die set. Was wondering what you guys use, and what you would recommend? I have heard great things about the Waldron set, but it does seem to be a bit pricey.

The Micro Mark set seems to have a good selection of punches, but from what I have read the quality can be very hit and miss, with some punches not even being square on the ends! I have also read that they tend to copy other manufacturers products, sometimes poorly, so while they are a good price with a good selection of punches, I am a little reluctant to purchase a set.

My main scales are 1/48 and 1/72 for both armour and aircraft, with the very occasional foray into other scales, so it would need to be able to punch small enough for these scales. Let me know what you guys think, I want to get a good feel for it before I make such a purchase!

Cheers,

Sam

[TRM]

Hey Sam!!

Not sure how much help I will be on this as I do not have any of these yet...like you I would be interested in purchasing one...just not for that kind of money.

From what I have read from numerous postings, the Waldon is the way to go! The MM has alignment issues and such but I guess it depends on the individual using it. Harbor Freight has one but is is probably too large for most modeling, Sintec has two...Hex and round.

Discussion on these....

cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/23/t/111160.aspx

I will say that I will end up getting one at some point and will most likely fork over the cash for either the Waldron or the Sintec or ARMOUR EXTRA DETAIL as it may be called. As the old adage applies here I think...."you get what you pay for"

Here is the Armour Extra Detail: www.steelmodels.com/nostraproduzione_scheda.php?id=3&idp=38

Good luck!!

[bbd468]

Great question Sam, i too been wanting a good set. Thanks for posting.

And you aswell T.!

Gary

[Thom]

Hello Sam,

For the money you probably want to look into the sets available by UMM-USA (John Vojtech). I have two of these sets 3D Model Tools (links below) and they are very well made and work great and all of his sets are under $50.00.

Looks like the Hex set is sold out but He usually restocks in a short period of time.

MN030 MAXI PUNCH & DIE SET - PT.11 $48.99
umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_145&products_id=1869

MN031 HEXAGONAL PUNCH & DIE SET - PT.4 "Hex" $42.99
umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?cPath=21_145&products_id=1870

Main Page:
umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_145

Cheers,
Thom

[TRM]

Good Bid there Thom!!! Thanks for putting these up!!

[venom1]

Hey Thom and Ken,

Thanks for those links, believe it or not, I was just looking at those this morning, they are looking like my favorites at the moment!

Actually, I have been doing a bit of hunting around and have found a few different sets which I thought I would share with you guys. May help you all out and make your research a bit easier! Below I have listed what I consider the "short list" of quality punches. I have listed the name, sizes, price and website if applicable. Prices are in US dollars unless noted otherwise. All sizes are in mm because that's how I roll.

Onward and upward!

Waldron Precision Punch and Die Set
(6 punches) sizes: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.2, 3.0, 4.0
A$77

Waldron Sub Miniture Punch and Die Set
(10 punches) sizes: 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6
$109

Armor Extra Detail Punch and Die Set - round
(8 punches) sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5
51.67€
www.steelmodels.com

Unique Master Models (UMM) Mini Punch and Die Set
(6 punches) sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6
$46
www.umm-USA.com

Unique Master Models (UMM) Maxi Punch and Die Set
(11 punches) sizes: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0
$49
www.umm-USA.com

Unique Master Models (UMM) Universal Punch and Die Set
(8 punches) sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0
$33
www.umm-USA.com

JMC Miniround
(6 punches) sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6
$68
www.umm-USA.com

JMC Maxiround
(6 punches) sizes: 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0
$68
www.umm-USA.com


Ok, well I hope between this post and the stuff the other guys have been kind enough to add, this will help those of you contemplating this sort of purchase make an educated decision. Personally, I think I am leaning toward the UMM sets, as Thom suggested. You will notice I have not included hex punches, only round. That is because I am lazy.

Happy hunting! ;D

Cheers,

Sam

[bullardino]

I have the waldron ones, and they're good. But if I were to choose today, I would know which to choose.

[zlikovac]

I have Armour Extra detail, both, round and hex. But main point for me is durability! I use only Evergreen for styren and sometime very tiny part of metal (0.1 and 0.2 mm). In begining works well, but after 2 years, specialy in very small hex, i have problem with sharp edges, i loose clear shape of hex. With round i have same problem with small diametar and tiny styren. What is solution? Sharpening? Ok for round, but what for hex? I think is very undermate what is used for "hole base", not just for punch part. Any idea for this?