heinrich bench punch review

[Brennainn]

A few weeks ago I asked if anyone had used the Heinrich #6 bench punch. I ended up getting it, as I got a really good price. Here is what I think.
It has a 8" deep throat which is really great. Every punch I've ever used had about a 2" throat, so this was really exciting. It didn't come with a handle, but a piece of 1" pipe fit like it was machined for it. I was able to go through 1/8" steel like it was nothing. I tried something a little thicker, but it showed a little resistance. I'll try again when I have extra punches. The mechanism is really simple. Instead of gears, it works with a solid cam, really hard to screw up. It's also really heavy, at about 20 pounds.
What I don't like. To change out the die plates it a little inexact. You drop the punch into the loose die plate and use 4 set screws to fix it into place. One of the screws is covered up by the handle when you do this. I might be more upset If I hadn't paid so little.
All in all I am really excited about the tool.
Thanks,
Brennainn
http://www.heinrichco.com/critdim/critdim6.htm

[Halberds]

I have one also, I like it.

Got it from McMaster-Carr for around 300.00.

It sure makes punching a lot of holes a breeze.
However I still use my Roper-Whitney Jr.

Had to replace my 3/16" die set as an apprentice ruined it by using it for a nibbler.

I give it a two thumbs up.

[Brennainn]

Not to brag, but I got mine for less than half of that. Thanks ebay.