Japanese Punch drill

[Amazyah]

I just managed to get one off of EBay for $25 delivered with 5 bits and it's the nice one with the wooden handle.
You have to just keep checking.
I saw one the other day for a start bid of $5 and that is what it sold for.
It only had one bit but you can shop around for those also.
You just have to be diligent in your search if you want the bargain.

Russell

[cgutzmer]

I just bought the nice one with 9 bits

[57townsman]

Thanks for everyone's input I'm feeling much better about buying one now. I've seen a set on eBay with 8 bits. The seller also has three additional bits for a total of 11. Nothing less than 1mm though, I guess for that you need to make your own.

Thanks again everyone!

SteveK

[Amazyah]

Originally Posted by 57townsman

Thanks for everyone's input I'm feeling much better about buying one now. I've seen a set on eBay with 8 bits. The seller also has three additional bits for a total of 11. Nothing less than 1mm though, I guess for that you need to make your own.

Thanks again everyone!

SteveK

11 bits?!? Ok, give him up!
Where is he?
I need to get some more bits!

Russell

[57townsman]

Here are links to the current auctions. The seller's name is pilgrimagearts and they have 100% feedback.

Punch drill:
Japanese Screw Punch 8 tips for paper, leather etc. NEW - (eBay item 220169387110 end time Nov-13-07 22:02:55 PST)

Extra bits:
3 more bits; 1mm, 4.5m, 5.0mm Japanese Screw Punch NEW - (eBay item 220170537857 end time Nov-17-07 00:50:35 PST)

The only different sizes are the 1.2 and 1.8mm bits, both come with the handle set.

SteveK

[Amazyah]

Thanks Steve!
I may have to get that one just so I will have a full set of bits.

Russell

[john wagenseil]

There is a very cheap though somewhat clumsy alternative to the Japanese Book Drill Punch for Members, who already have some workshop basics.

Buy a set of hollow punches, remembering your get what you pay for.

A cheap Chinese set from HFT or flea market will not hold their edge as well as Japanese, Polish or US made set with decently hardened and ground steel. Or even get the small punches for the punch drill but not the drill itself.

Chuck one of the Punches into a egg beater hand drill and start drill- punching holes in paper. I picked up a couple of high quality used old hand drills at a flea market a few years ago for very little money, and their quality is much better than the new stuff.

I am going Luddite and using more and more traditional hand tools. They are easier on the fingers than their power bretheren (the pain, dropping the tool causing it to quit working are simultaneous, unlike a power tool which just keeps digging away at your flesh), quieter which is a plus if you live in an apartment and play with tools at night, and more fun if yo are not obsessed with speed.

[Art Decko]

If anyone has one of the cheaper (~$25) punches made in China, please check to see if there is any manufacturing information on it (or on the packaging, if that's still around). I am trying to locate the factory where they are made.

Mine just says "Made in China". :-\

Thanks in advance if anyone can offer a clue.

[akremedy]

I finally took the plunge (is that a pun??) and threw down a substantial investment in a screw punch (with 8 tips) plus the addt'l 3 tips add-on (1mm, 4.5 and 5mm) to round out the selection.

Purchased mine from an eBay Express vendor:
eBay Express: Japanese Screw Punch 8 tips for paper, leather etc. NEW - Description

I did note that my local Michael's crafts store has a screw punch in the "Martha Stewart" line for a paltry $24, but only includes 3 tips and no mention of what sizes they are. I debated getting it and mail ordering the higher-end tips package, but with my luck, they'd be incompatible and I would end up buying the higher end punch anyway.