Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Anyone got one they like a lot? The one I bought seems to be… "semi" automatic—meaning it only punches automatically about one in every ten tries. Such a great tool in theory, but it's crap. Would love to hear recommendations for a better one.

I use a «General» brand, was pretty expansive...but does the job real good. Made in US so it's quite good quality...i did a thread about it!

Heh, pretty sure mine is a General brand punch, too. Didn't see your thread when I searched. (But that's not unusual; I can almost never find anything useful by searching unless I've already read the thread before and remember some uncommon words.)

Crap it. Trying to remember where I got mine. Has not misfired once. I'm going to say I'm 95% sure I got mine at Home Depot. I can almost picture myself in the tool isle down from where keys are made. Have no clue what I paid off hand. Sometimes you get what you pay for....well actually almost all the time when it comes to tools...ask me how I know

yeah I've had problems with the cheapie punches too. I was able to make it work a little better by unscrewing it completely, and getting some household oil in there where the ball bearing is (or whatever is in there). Changing the tension often helps too.

I went the opposite direction- i bought a second even cheaper one from Harbor Freight, and it works better than the original one (from Home Depot). Go figure.. maybe the first one is just old and rusty inside.

you guys and your fancy tools...

I just tape my template to the enclosure, then use a finishing nail to make a little dent right where I want to drill. Although I'm thinking about scoring a nice heavy scratch awl like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dasco-431-0-7-Scr ... B0000BYBBM

Yeah, but I can punch a divet with my right hand and drink a beer with my left hand all at the same time. Bet YOU can't do that with your nail and hammer method

+ Too much to be liste!

But what if you have an awl and a beer hat?

Need more beer to look at her!

Will have to look when I go in tomorrow (work @ Lowe's), but I think I remember it being a General.....now I'm trying to remember if that's a brand we even carry (not in that dept)...$8-9-ish......VERY happy w/it

I've got the Harbor Freight punch, paid $3 for it on sale. Works perfect every time.
-P

Dang it!

I'm stumped now

It sort of sounds like maybe you got a dud SJ.

Some good thoughts here—thanks, guys.

MrClean, if you think of it and can snap a picture of the one from Lowe's, that'd be great.

Old Metal, that is definitely NOT the General Tools one that I got. Looks to be much more sturdy. I'll keep that in mind if the Lowe's one doesn't pan out.

Will do!