Type of Punch

[desertjim]

Hi All, I just joined the forum this morning.  I'm retired and just "piddle" around, mostly.  Have a wood working shop, and I may even make something one of these days.

I recently acquired a leather punch from Whitney Metal Tool Company, Rockford, Il.

On the little center rod it has the 5-7.  On the other side of the rod it says "Whitney-Jensen".

On the main piece it says Made in USA and the number18.

On the other side there is the letter W in a CIRCLE.

On the lever handle it has 5-2.

Just wondered if anyone might know what period this tool was made.

Does it have any value as a "collective" or "antique" piece?

Many Thanks,

Jim

[keykeeper]

It is actually a sheet metal punch. They are still in business as Roper-Whitney I believe.

Not sure as to vintage, but probably somewhere between 1930's to 1950's. May be later.

Most value is as a user tool, if all the dies are with it. You can still buy the dies for that type punch on their website.

[Lewill2]

They came in a case with a set of 4 or 6 dies of different sizes. There should be a depth stop attached to the screw at the back of the jaw opening. They come in handy when working with sheet metal and other light gage materials.

[64longstep/Brian]

It is actually a sheet metal punch. They are still in business as Roper-Whitney I believe.

Not sure as to vintage, but probably somewhere between 1930's to 1950's. May be later.

Most value is as a user tool, if all the dies are with it. You can still buy the dies for that type punch on their website.

That is what it is, I have two sets...

[rusty]

>Does it have any value as a "collective" or "antique" piece?

I would say not much, but, those things are rather pricey new, and there always seem to be people looking for them...

[keykeeper]

I would love to have another, if it had the dies to go with it. Then I could have two different sizes in use on one project!

[wvtools]

I have a tool dealer/friend who just sold one of those at the flea market this weekend.  It had the metal case and 6 or 7 dies.  I have sold those in the past for 35.00 to 45.00.

I have seen Chinese copies at the flea market.  I would guess you could get those at Harbor Freight.

[geneg]

Why would anyone want to get them at HF??  Be patient, watch auctions, tag sales, etc & get a useable set.  They don't seem to go for much.  If you are going to use them, the $35-$45 isn't unreasonable, but probably higher than I would pay.  Over the years I completed a set out of several partials.  They are quicker than a drill for sheet metal work- even give cleaner holes.  They're something I use semi-regularly.  After I lost my Dad in 06,  I found a complete primo set in his rollaway.  One of those priceless possessions.  Someday, I need to tag these thing so my sons will know where I got some of my stuff and why its so important to me.  Back to the punch set, if you use them, you will like them.  I can't say that about a Harbor Freight set.  Also, some of the Whitney sets date back to WWII- will a HF set last that long?

[J.A.F.E.]

...  Also, some of the Whitney sets date back to WWII- will a HF set last that long?

They won't last near that long but I'm sure some them go back that far as scrap, something cheap, scrap again, something else cheap, scrap again...

[rusty]

>something cheap, scrap again, something else

That's what the sign means that says 'Weekly Special'

Last week this tool was a shovel, the week before it was a sledgehammer, the week before that a Volkswagon...