[ARC5] FW: Hole for octal socket ... Try Unibits

[Glen Zook via ARC5]

The problem with the Harbor Freight punches is that they are marked for electrical conduit sizes and not the actual hole diameter.  Most of the sizes are not exact for home brewing by amateur radio operators.  However, with some final enlarging using a file, they are definitely better than some of the other means of getting a proper sized hole.
I got my set, on sale, for around $10.00.  If you watch the Harbor Freight website, or are on their mailing list, many items are often on sale with a substantial amount "off".
It has been my experience that the quality of things sold by Harbor Freight ranges from excellent to less than dismal!  One has to know what to "look out for" when shopping at Harbor Freight and make their selections based on knowledge. Glen, K9STH

Website: http://k9sth.net
      From: "Fuqua, Bill L" <wlfuqu00 at uky.edu>
 To: "arc5 at mailman.qth.net" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net> 
 Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2015 4:02 PM
 Subject: [ARC5] FW: Hole for octal socket ... Try Unibits
   


  The set of Harbor Freight hole punches is $20.
Now saying that, I have used their drill bits and stepped bits.
What I can say is that they often use soft materials. I the last set of unibits did not
last long, maybe 15 or so holes in 1100 aluminum. I once got a set of their titanium
coated drill bits and while drilling a 1/8 inch hole the it seemed that the drill broken,
after it stopped, it had not broken but was bent at a right angle. That was soft stuff
and even though it was coated with a hard material the underlying material was too soft
soft.