02-08-2015, 12:36 PM
Amen to what everyone else has said. You want quality you pay for quality.
My favorite center punch started life as an Acme tap. Some one broke it at a former employer and I ended up with it. The shape was ground on a T&C grinder leaving some of the flutes. Since it is the end of the tap the shank and square are not as hard as the tip and stand up to the impact of a hammer.
Given your location I doubt if any US made (not branded) punches and chisels are available. However, you should be able to locate quality Japanese products and possibly ones from Germany. If by chance you run across some from Eastern Europe they too will probably be of good or better quality. Of course avoid Chinese or Indian punches and chisels.
For the center punch, pin punches, and similar shapes you could make them from appropriate drill rod. You'll just have to heat treat them properly.
Chisels on the other hand should be forged instead of machined. Given hand forging is a "black art" unless you have considerable forging experience or have a mate who has you'll be better off purchasing them.
My favorite center punch started life as an Acme tap. Some one broke it at a former employer and I ended up with it. The shape was ground on a T&C grinder leaving some of the flutes. Since it is the end of the tap the shank and square are not as hard as the tip and stand up to the impact of a hammer.
Given your location I doubt if any US made (not branded) punches and chisels are available. However, you should be able to locate quality Japanese products and possibly ones from Germany. If by chance you run across some from Eastern Europe they too will probably be of good or better quality. Of course avoid Chinese or Indian punches and chisels.
For the center punch, pin punches, and similar shapes you could make them from appropriate drill rod. You'll just have to heat treat them properly.
Chisels on the other hand should be forged instead of machined. Given hand forging is a "black art" unless you have considerable forging experience or have a mate who has you'll be better off purchasing them.