...and the youtube gestapo cannot flag this video because it shows people tinkering on guns. Good stuff, Caleb. The basics and seemingly mundane are still useful and appreciated.
Always best to never assume what others might or might not know. Best to just share the full range of knowledge and skills. those who already know can skip it, ignore it, or perhaps still learn something new they never thought of before. I love the videos of the basics, as it gives me a chance to check my understanding and make sure I'm doing things right, or learn new tips and tricks from others. For others, it answers questions they always wondered about.
Thanks for this valuable and informative video. I have a couple decent sets of punches, which I have used for decades. But I learned quit a bit from this video. I appreciate the instruction.
Was going to say something like this. I would think that brass punches also have a place on the bench for when you're concerned about marring the surface.
@@jeffk7017and nylon punches too. I got a handy set from Brownells that has replaceable steel, brass and nylon punches that screw into a steel handle. Plus the 2 sizes of triangular profile punches for drifting sights.
The L.S. Starrett punches are indeed very high quality. I have the majority of the punches Caleb mentions here and of them the ones I use the most are the L.S. Starrett. The roll pin punches and roll pin holder punches are needed when working on AR15s, with all their roll pins. For traditional steel guns, brass punches are good as they dont mar steel.
Excellent video as usual, and I thank you for it! Followup video suggestion: can you show the importance of work piece support when using hammers and punches, and maybe show what happens when things go wrong (on some cheap or already screwed up work piece)?
I’ve had the opportunity to stake 4 castle nuts since watching your video on the subject. All of them came out looking perfect. Sharp center punch+small hammer+light hits was fantastic advice. Thanks.
I bought both sets years ago, it's actually time to replace them again. I'm not a professional but I do a lot of work for friends and family and have worn several sets out
I discovered a trick to Start roll pins (& solid pins) that are stubborn and don't want to start, easily. Use a small, fine grit, file and bevel an edge to the end or your Pin! " / \ ". This helps line the tiny pins right into their holes, and they easily start! No more bashing up the side of a pin hole.
Make sure you are working on a solid surface that will not move. Stubborn FSB pins I couldn't drive on my bench came out when I got down on the concrete floor and used that as my work surface. It wasn't comfortable, but it worked.
Ah Yes! The square peg in a round hole, mentality! Thats for the people who ate paint chips, and sniffed glue, as a kid! 🥴 Be, all that you can be! 🫡 🇺🇸
When I first started my hobby of home gun smithing, I purchased a Wheeler set of AR punches. It offers a basic variety of all the punches you need, for a budget price. Unfortunitley the quality isn't very good, and I have bent a one of the small punchs, on stubborn pins and sights. You do get what you pay for, in quality! Luckily, most gun parts don't require much force to remove or install. I have started using the Real Avid brand of punchs and like them! Their small hammer (with various heads) works 90% of the time. (Its just small for MY hands!) Much better quality tools, that don't even roll off the bench!
Always use a heavy hammer. Energy comes from velocity and mass. Metal deforms from high velocity. Smacking a piece of aluminum lightly with something very heavy won't hurt it. Hitting it fast with a tiny hammer will.
Don't listen to the used car man's sales pitch. You can assemble an AR lower using a masonry nail, claw hammer, locking pliers, screwdriver, scrap piece of 2x1, and covered in painter's tape to prevent scratches.
I'm wondering if that might be the place to get a punch to install those damn gas tube crush pins. All of my good punches destroy those things. Maybe the HF punch won't last long enough to cause damage to the pin, ha-ha!
Thirty years in the gunsmithing business, I aquired so many punches that I lost count. However, I'm a firm believer in the right tool for the job.👍
...and the youtube gestapo cannot flag this video because it shows people tinkering on guns. Good stuff, Caleb. The basics and seemingly mundane are still useful and appreciated.
Still very appreciative that Caleb is here
Solid info as always Caleb....thanks!
Agreed!
Always best to never assume what others might or might not know. Best to just share the full range of knowledge and skills. those who already know can skip it, ignore it, or perhaps still learn something new they never thought of before.
I love the videos of the basics, as it gives me a chance to check my understanding and make sure I'm doing things right, or learn new tips and tricks from others.
For others, it answers questions they always wondered about.
Thanks for the video! I liked seeing the techniques and the tools the pro's use!
Good info.....as others have stated above, I use brass punches quite often too...
Thanks for this valuable and informative video. I have a couple decent sets of punches, which I have used for decades. But I learned quit a bit from this video. I appreciate the instruction.
It would be helpful to cover the brass punches used to push sights and other things in and out of dovetails.
Was going to say something like this. I would think that brass punches also have a place on the bench for when you're concerned about marring the surface.
@@jeffk7017and nylon punches too. I got a handy set from Brownells that has replaceable steel, brass and nylon punches that screw into a steel handle. Plus the 2 sizes of triangular profile punches for drifting sights.
I was going to post this question as well.
Brass punches won't damage steel.
I have seen some new, hard nylon punchs, that won't mar or scratch aluminum. Not sure how much force can be applied to them, but they are interesting.
The L.S. Starrett punches are indeed very high quality. I have the majority of the punches Caleb mentions here and of them the ones I use the most are the L.S. Starrett. The roll pin punches and roll pin holder punches are needed when working on AR15s, with all their roll pins. For traditional steel guns, brass punches are good as they dont mar steel.
I hunted for almost a year to find my favorite gunsmithing hammer. It's a 4 oz ball peen, and it's fantastic for light consistent hits on punches.
Great tips! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Trashcan Punch is my absolute goto. Good video.
Excellent video as usual, and I thank you for it!
Followup video suggestion: can you show the importance of work piece support when using hammers and punches, and maybe show what happens when things go wrong (on some cheap or already screwed up work piece)?
Thank you, had no idea there was so much more info, I learned quite a bit,
Thanks Caleb! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 🤝😊
Oh, THOSE type of punches! I thought it was a new self-defense method!😏 I've bought both sets of punches from Brownells...great tools.
Great Info.Apreciated.
I’ve had the opportunity to stake 4 castle nuts since watching your video on the subject. All of them came out looking perfect. Sharp center punch+small hammer+light hits was fantastic advice. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Learn something new every day. Cut tip punch :)
Well done Caleb. Now discuss why we use bench blocks and slave pins along with our punches.
I bought both sets years ago, it's actually time to replace them again. I'm not a professional but I do a lot of work for friends and family and have worn several sets out
Those Starrett punches are not cheap, but I have the set ya have there, along with the brass set and they're by far the best punches on the market!
I discovered a trick to Start roll pins (& solid pins) that are stubborn and don't want to start, easily. Use a small, fine grit, file and bevel an edge to the end or your Pin! " / \ ". This helps line the tiny pins right into their holes, and they easily start! No more bashing up the side of a pin hole.
“If you master the basics, the big things will follow.”
Thanks! I need to punch an AK 5.5mm stock pin and does NOT want to budge. I’m going to follow a couple of the suggestions here.
Make sure you are working on a solid surface that will not move. Stubborn FSB pins I couldn't drive on my bench came out when I got down on the concrete floor and used that as my work surface. It wasn't comfortable, but it worked.
good stuff
Good tips
Now I have to make some roll pin starter punches I thought I had every punch that a gunsmith would need
Motto of the Army Tank Corps: if it doesn’t fit, get a bigger hammer.
Ah Yes! The square peg in a round hole, mentality! Thats for the people who ate paint chips, and sniffed glue, as a kid! 🥴
Be, all that you can be! 🫡 🇺🇸
When I first started my hobby of home gun smithing, I purchased a Wheeler set of AR punches. It offers a basic variety of all the punches you need, for a budget price. Unfortunitley the quality isn't very good, and I have bent a one of the small punchs, on stubborn pins and sights. You do get what you pay for, in quality!
Luckily, most gun parts don't require much force to remove or install. I have started using the Real Avid brand of punchs and like them! Their small hammer (with various heads) works 90% of the time. (Its just small for MY hands!) Much better quality tools, that don't even roll off the bench!
🇺🇸
what about brass punches ?
What weight are your hammers
Always use a heavy hammer. Energy comes from velocity and mass. Metal deforms from high velocity. Smacking a piece of aluminum lightly with something very heavy won't hurt it. Hitting it fast with a tiny hammer will.
👍👍
Like these videos
Don't listen to the used car man's sales pitch. You can assemble an AR lower using a masonry nail, claw hammer, locking pliers, screwdriver, scrap piece of 2x1, and covered in painter's tape to prevent scratches.
Give this comment a thumbs up if you're too embarrassed to admit how often you've used an Allen wrench as a pin punch. Here's mine: 👍
Does the gundies have a best hair category? 🤔
Most Dapper, Caleb won last year and is defending this year. www.thegundies.com/voted/6/174
😁☕👍
Don’t buy punches from Harbor Freight, as much as I love that store.
Harbor Freight is fine if you have a one time use.
I'm wondering if that might be the place to get a punch to install those damn gas tube crush pins. All of my good punches destroy those things. Maybe the HF punch won't last long enough to cause damage to the pin, ha-ha!
@@rudyschwab7709 Get a good Wera or other German one from KC Tools. Make sure it is the right size. Are you using roll pin punches on a flat head pin?