How many of you hold cold chisels and punches with one hand, while your other hand brings a hammer down upon them? *Raises hand.*
A punch and chisel holder provides for more stable and accurate positioning, and also helps distance your hand from the strike zone, for better protection and safety. Punch and chisel holders also serve to reduce impact shock and vibrations from travelling to your hand from a struck chisel or punch.
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I purchased this Craftsman chisel holder (model 42839) about a year and a half ago, and have used it a couple of times since then.
The chisel holder is said to have a maximum capacity of 5/8″ when used with hex-shank chisels. Shown here, it’s paired with a 1/2″ chisel.
It works well with large chisels and punches, and the same is true for smaller ones as well.
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The screwdriver handle is of Craftsman’s standard design, and is comfortable to hold. You won’t find me singing praise of it, but it is definitely a solid and durable design.
The chisel and punch holder can be used with round chisels and punches, but it’s really best used with hex-shank tools. Striking the knurled round-handle punch shown here would probably have resulted in damage to the knurling, chisel holder, or both.
Just to see how it fits, I popped a small AAA flashlight into the chisel holder.
Conclusion
I would absolutely buy this again. I don’t use the chisel holder every time I need to use a cold chisel or small punch, but it does come in handy. If I’m using a 1/4″ cold chisel with a 4 oz or 8 oz ball pein hammer, the chisel holder likely stays in the drawer. For larger, heavier, or longer chiseling tasks, the holder comes see action.
Does it reduce shock and vibrations from being transmitted to my hand? Yes. Does it help protect my hands? Yes, or at least I think so.
It’s useful, it’s easy to use, and it’s inexpensive.
Buy Now(via Sears)
Other Styles(via Amazon)
The retail price for the chisel and punch holder is $12.99, but you can usually find it on sale for 10-15% off. It’s made in the USA, presumably by Western Forge.
The tool featured in this review was purchased at retail pricing from Sears.com.
JeffD
If it saves you from smashing your fingers once it has paid for itself.
IIRC it’s made by Wilde for Craftsman.
Stuart
I forget which tools Western Forge makes for Craftsman, and which ones Wilde makes, but am pretty sure that these are made by Western Forge.
Taking a look at some of the WF closeouts at Harry Epstein, the plastic handled screwdrivers have the distinctive design.
Smith
The Wilde version is actually is the one I own and not only is this version 100% American made, but I have never had this tool slip out of hand or have the clamp aspect come off.
Grady Bookout
Many, way too many years ago I was a machinist in a factory that repaired, machines. Often I would have to use chisels and punches. Something like this would have been nice when using a 3/4″ cold chisel & a 3# hammer. Chisel broke, drove broken piece into my hand. Fun.
chad
Proto makes a very nice heavy duty chisel holder. Worth looking into I use it at work to hold my weld stamp.
SteveR
Stuart–A bit off-topic, but a nice tool to have for center punch needs is a Lisle (or Starrett, or Tekton or whoever) automatic center punch. I don’t know if you’ve done a piece on one of these, but they’re handy to have. You hold them and push down until the internal spring rebounds and punches the point you need to make. They are more accurate for this purpose than a standard center (or a prick) punch, as they don’t slip and hit the target off-center. And, as no hammer is involved, there’s no chance you’ll slip and whack your hand with one.
Apparently, as least one reader has whacked his hand swinging at a punch (similar activity, identical painful result). Chances are good there are many other victims out there, suffering in silence.