Chassis Punches-- Check sizes before buying

Maybe expensive initially, but over the long run, if you have to keep buying a replacement to replace a broken on one, there really isn't that much difference. You also have the comfort in knowing it's gonna work every time you use them too.

I am noticing that at garage sales there are often chassis punches in sets, dirt cheap. $15.00 a set or so.

 Well, be sure to check the sizes.

 Most often they are ELECTRICAL BOX knockout punches.
 They DO NOT fit tube socket sizes for the most part.
Typically you will find them in a leather conical shaped roll pouch.

 IIRC, maybe only one punch size in it is the same as a tube socket punch. Also they are often very worn out or dull.

If you buy the chassis punches that are imported, often they do not work well on steel chassis. I actually broke off the bolt on one cutting a steel radio chassis, rendering the entire set unusable, until I can find a replacement. THEN often they are in metric sizes too, not SAE.

Personally, I find it well to stick to Greenlee or Pioneer brand punches.
You can readily get spare parts for Greenlee from most electrical supply houses.
  Yes, they are quite expensive, but you can find them at ham fairs reasonably priced, as few folks today build equipment that requires them. You get what you pay for on chassis punches.
 My imported set did OK on thin aluminum chassis though.