I am thinking about getting a Roper Whitney #5.
Is it better to get a new one or an older one? (Assuming all of the dies are included.)
RW #5
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Kristoffer
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Re: RW #5
I have an old and a new and the old is better quality, higher precision fitted parts and all over a lot nicer. Get a used one if possible and buy some extra dies. You will loose or break some along the way.
Kristoffer Metsälä
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RandallMoffett
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Re: RW #5
I only have the old one (I think it is WWII vintage actually by the only numbers I can find on it... is that possible? ) works amazing.
We did have a version from the 70s in my old metal shop at work and it was great as well.
Great customer service as well.
RPM
We did have a version from the 70s in my old metal shop at work and it was great as well.
Great customer service as well.
RPM
Re: RW #5
Stop thinking and do it. It's not really an optional tool.bigfredb wrote:I am thinking about getting a Roper Whitney #5.
Get the ones you can. Brand new is good because they come with a full set of dies.Is it better to get a new one or an older one? (Assuming all of the dies are included.)
Old is good because you get them at a discount.
I own three #5jrs and a HF knock off, and I use them all. It is really convenient to have all the holes you use regularly already inside tools waiting to get used. That way you can punch a 1/8" hole, then a 3/16" hole, and then a 1/8" hole, in that order, in about 30 seconds, without five minutes of tool changes.
I also have three big punches, so that I can do 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" holes on demand, too.
Stuff I will trade for: PWM controllers, steel sheet/rod/bar (4130/410/1050/toolsteel), ITC, casting supplies, wood tools, silver, oxpho blue, gun stuff (9luger/357mag/12g/7.62x54R/22LR), hammers, stakes, or pitch me!
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losthelm
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Re: RW #5
the "old" design had two plates instead of the solid lever bar.
The lever bar is a better option and has "less wiggle" over time.
They take a ton of abuse before wearing out unless your punching hard metal or heavier gauge steel.
Used run $30-40 on eBay with shipping, new nearly twice that.
The larger #7 or #8 is overall a better option but tooling is harder to find in eBay.
The Chinese 5jr knockoffs have the same size punch and die sets and work.
If you have a lathe punch and die sets are fairly simple to make.
There are three other similar tools.
parker kalon
Bernard
And a third hydro or some such
The whitney is easier to find parts for.
The lever bar is a better option and has "less wiggle" over time.
They take a ton of abuse before wearing out unless your punching hard metal or heavier gauge steel.
Used run $30-40 on eBay with shipping, new nearly twice that.
The larger #7 or #8 is overall a better option but tooling is harder to find in eBay.
The Chinese 5jr knockoffs have the same size punch and die sets and work.
If you have a lathe punch and die sets are fairly simple to make.
There are three other similar tools.
parker kalon
Bernard
And a third hydro or some such
The whitney is easier to find parts for.