The 9 Best Pin Punches
Updated by · How we research
Nine pin punch sets compared on steel, tip type, sizes and extras like hammers and bench blocks; the Starrett S565 leads for punches that stay straight. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A roll pin is a hollow split tube, and a flat-tipped punch can crush its end, so roll pins need a punch with a small center nub. That one detail sorts most sets. This guide is for gun owners, mechanics and hobbyists deciding between solid drive punches, roll pin punches, starters and full kits that come with a hammer.
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Starrett S565 keeps the top spot, now in its vinyl-case version, which holds the same eight punches as the boxed set for less money. Machinists and gunsmiths on trade forums still name Starrett first when the talk turns to small punches that don't bend, and years of owner feedback point the same way.
Seven earlier picks are gone. The Astro AST1600, Rennsteig Parallel Set, Pro Tool Supply 58021, Gedore 875589 and Xage Set are no longer sold where we could confirm them, and the Grace GRPS8 and Grace PS-7 have listings that no longer make clear what's in the box. We dropped the Starrett S248 too, since the Mayhew Pro 62065 does the same deep-reach job for less.
The Tekton 66564 stays with its walnut stand. New picks fill the roles people ask about: the Real Avid AVHPSBB kit for gun work, the Wheeler Master and Wheeler 710910 for roll pins, and two Mayhew sets with a lifetime warranty. A past note here left out starter punches as off topic, but readers search for them, so they're back with their job stated plainly. For evidence, we leaned on maker warranty pages from Starrett, Mayhew and Tekton, gunsmith and machinist forum threads about which punches bend, and a recall search on every brand.
Earlier notes
October 1, 2020, by Rafael Perez:
Removed the Grace USA Steel 7-Piece because they are roll pin punches, not pin punches. Removed the Wheeler Engineering Starter because they are holder punches, not pin punches. Added the Grace GRPS8 and the Grace PS-7.
There are substantial differences between pin punches, roll pin punches, starter punches, center punches, and holder punches. They are not interchangeable and you'll want to avoid using them in the wrong context. Many of the complaints against a particular set of punches are actually caused by human error and not because they tool itself is defective or of low quality. If you bend the 1/16th punch in the Starrett 8-Piece, in all likelihood, you either angled the punch when you struck it, used too much force, or you didn't use a starter punch on a stubborn pin. If you use steel pin punches on roll pins, you take the risk of damaging the ends of the pin.
A common complaint about brass punches like the Grace GRPS8 is that they damage too easily. They're designed to be somewhat sacrificial for the sake of your workpiece's finish. The point of brass punches is to limit the chances that you'll dent or scratch something if you're using it on steel. To extend their life, you can use a steel starter and then finish off the pin with the brass punch. You should also never use brass pin punches on roll pins as the sharp pin will almost certainly damage the punch.
February 21, 2019, by Melissa Harr:
We started by adding two Starrett models right off the bat, because they are widely known for their reliability and durability, which more than make up for their higher price. The one grumble that's occasionally voiced regarding the ever-popular Starrett 8-Piece is that the case is plastic rather than some other more elegant material, such as wood, but this is a small annoyance that in no way affects the quality of the actual punches. For those who really, really want a different storage option, though, the Tekton Gunsmith Set is a fine alternative that would look great on just about any workbench. On the less expensive side there are the Wheeler Engineering Starter and the Astro 16-Piece, but they're probably best for light-duty use; those who work in industrial environments way want to steer clear.
Special Honors
PB Swiss Tools PB Swiss Tools is a Swiss maker of hand tools whose pin punch sets come up on Garage Journal alongside Starrett when members discuss sets worth paying more for. They're a premium choice for shop owners who want an alternative to the U.S. brands on this list. pbswisstools.com
Pin, Roll Pin, Starter Or Drift: Which Punch Does What
A drift punch is a tapered alignment tool for lining up bolt or rivet holes, and you should never hammer on its tip.
A pin punch is a straight rod with a flat tip, used to drive solid pins in or out of a hole. Its long, parallel shank is what lets it follow a pin all the way through. Wikipedia's entry on punches describes the usual order for a stuck pin: break it loose with a short, stout starter punch, then finish with the pin punch. That order saves thin punches from bending, which is the most common complaint about every brand here.
Roll pins are different. A roll pin, also called a spring pin, is a split or coiled tube that is slightly larger than its hole and stays put by pushing outward (Wikipedia: Spring pin). A flat punch can collapse or flare the end of that tube, so roll pin punches have a small nub in the center of the tip that sits inside the pin. Use them on hollow pins and plain pin punches on solid ones. Roll pin starters, sometimes called holder punches, are shorter tools with a shaped tip that keeps a new roll pin square while you tap it in.
Two look-alikes don't belong in this job. A drift punch is a tapered alignment tool for lining up bolt or rivet holes, and you should never hammer on its tip. A center punch only dimples metal so a drill bit doesn't wander.
Picking Sizes And Driving A Pin Safely
Choose a punch just under the pin's diameter. Too small and it can mushroom the pin or slip off; too big and it jams in the hole. Sets that run from 1/16 to 1/4 inch cover most firearm and household pins, and 5/16 inch helps on mowers, trailers and older machinery. Extra-long punches like the Mayhew Pro line reach pins buried in deep housings, but they flex more, so use the shortest punch that reaches.
Support the part on a bench block or a piece of hardwood with a hole under the pin, so the pin has somewhere to go and the part doesn't take the blow. Hold the punch square, grip it well back from the head and strike with light, controlled taps. A brass or nylon hammer face is gentler on gun finishes, which is why the Real Avid and Wheeler kits include one.
Wear safety glasses. Steel striking hardened steel can throw chips, and OSHA requires eye protection at work wherever flying particles are a hazard (OSHA 1910.133). On a firearm, unload it and check the chamber before any disassembly.
Steel, Warranties And When To Retire A Punch
Most good punches are hardened at the tip and left a little softer at the striking end, so the head deforms slowly instead of chipping. Tekton heat treats each punch individually and backs its hand tools with no time limit and no receipt. Mayhew gives a lifetime warranty on the tools it makes in the U.S., with conditions. Starrett has made tools in the U.S. since 1880, and its punches have a long reputation in machine shops for holding their shape.
Cheap chrome vanadium sets are fine for occasional work, but owner reports show more variation from set to set. If you only need a punch a few times a year, a budget roll pin set is a sensible start, and you can add a better solid set later.
Inspect punches before each job. A head that has spread into a mushroom can shed sharp flakes when struck, so grind it back to a clean bevel or replace the punch. A bent punch should be retired, not straightened, because it will slip and can scar the work. Wipe carbon steel punches with a little oil before storing them to keep rust off.
How we researched this
We compared 22 pin punch sets and kits, read maker pages and warranty terms from Starrett, Mayhew and Tekton, checked packaging details for the nine picks, reviewed gunsmith and machinist forum discussions and patterns in owner feedback, and searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission database for recalls on every brand. We found no independent lab test of pin punches. Updated October 26, 2026 by Ezvid Wiki Editors.
Frequently asked questions
What are pin punches used for?
They drive solid pins in or out of holes: hinge pins, trigger and hammer pins in guns, and retaining pins in engines, bikes and machinery.
What is the difference between a pin punch and a drift punch?
A pin punch has a straight, parallel shank and a flat tip for pushing a pin through a hole. A drift is tapered and lines up bolt or rivet holes; you shouldn't strike its tip.
Can I use a regular pin punch on a roll pin?
It's a bad idea. A flat tip can collapse or flare a hollow roll pin. Use a roll pin punch, which has a small nub that sits inside the pin.
What is a punch holder or starter punch?
A roll pin starter, sometimes called a holder punch, has a shaped tip that keeps a new roll pin lined up while you tap it into its hole. A short starter punch also breaks stuck pins loose before a thinner pin punch finishes the job.
What sizes do I need?
A set from 1/16 to 1/4 inch covers most gun and household pins. Add 5/16 inch or larger for mowers, trailers and heavy equipment.
Why do small pin punches bend?
They're thin, so an angled blow or a seized pin bends them. Loosen stuck pins with a short starter punch first, strike squarely and use light taps.
