No matter what car you’re working on, you’ll be thankful to have these tools by your side.
ILLUSTRATION BY BROWN BIRD DESIGN
Hammers are supremely useful tools. But they’re also large, blunt instruments that you can’t use accurately in tight, small spaces. So if you need to apply a large amount of sudden force to a place a hammer can’t reach or won’t fit near, you’re out of luck. Unless you have a set of punches and chisels.
A punch is essentially just a piece of strong metal that’s designed to translate the force of a hammer to a smaller, more precise surface area. On one end there’s a flat face perfect for receiving blows from a hammer, while the other end comes to a point, either sharpened to a tip or a smaller flat face. All you have to do is hold the sharp end of the punch to whatever you’re trying to strike, then smack the other end with a hammer. All of that force travels through the punch into whatever you’re aiming at. Chisels work in a similar fashion. But instead of a sharpened point, the business end is shaped like a flat-head screwdriver, only thicker, wider, and heavier-duty.
Punches have dozens of uses. In addition to being makeshift hammer extensions, they’re great for driving stubborn suspension bolts through holes, popping out rivets, and marking drill points. Chisels are equally versatile, as they can be used to separate items that won’t come apart by hand, make creases, bends, or cuts in metal, or, if you’re creative enough, spread rusty brake caliper pistons apart. Use them right, and they can even be used to crack seized nuts off of bolts. In a pinch they can, ironically, also be used as flat-head screwdrivers. Though these tools seem specialized, you’ll be surprised how much you use them once you have them around. I know I was.
5-Piece Punch and Chisel Set
GEARWRENCH
$22.48
Buy Now
Because punches and chisels are the opposite of complex, most DIYers will find them relatively affordable. Gearwrench sells a five-piece set we love that comes with four differently-sized punches and one chisel for just $22.48 on Amazon right now. Think you’ll be doing a lot of punching and chiseling? The company also offers a 12-piece kit with eight punches and four chisels for $44.89. There’s also a 27-piece kit from Gearwrench, but we’d only recommend going for that one if you’re running a shop or doing major body work. Already have a set of chisels? Gearwrench also offers a set that comes with just the punches, yours for just $48.12. Likewise, if you already have some punches but want to add a set of chisels to your collection, here’s a four-pack on sale right now for $31.74.
Keyword: You Wouldn’t Believe How Much You Can Get Done With a Set of Punches and Chisels