General Tools Hand Punch
General Tools Hand Punches: A Century of Precision Craftsmanship
When it comes to hand punches, few names carry as much history or credibility as General Tools. Founded in New York City in 1922 as General Hardware Manufacturing Co., the company built its reputation on specialty hand tools from the very beginning. In fact, by 1930 the company had already developed a dedicated line of specialty items that included metal punches — making punching tools one of the brand's original and most enduring product categories.
What Sets General Tools Hand Punches Apart
General's arch, hollow steel, gasket, and drive pin punches are ideal for making round holes in gasket material, leather, rubber, canvas, cardboard, plastic, sheet metal, and other soft materials. What makes them stand out on the shop floor is their construction: the punches are forged and heat-treated to make them last longer and their cutting edge sharper. This level of metallurgical attention is a direct reflection of General Tools' long-standing commitment to precision.
Beyond traditional hollow and arch punches, General Tools also offers a well-regarded line of automatic center punches. The #78 Heavy-Duty Automatic Center Punch is a standout example: it can punch, mark, scribe, and start drill, nail, or screw holes. One-handed spring impact operation means no hammer is needed, and spring tension adjusts for light or heavy strokes and marking, while an all-steel body with a knurled finger grip and rust-resistant black oxide finish deliver durability in demanding environments. For those who need a lighter-duty option, the #77 Automatic Center Punch features a lightweight aluminum body with a knurled finger grip and durable alloy steel parts, making it equally at home on a machinist's bench or in an automotive garage.
A Range Built for Professionals and DIYers Alike
For nearly a century, General Tools has been a recognized leader in the design and development of precision specialized tools, offering over 1,000 tools to tradesmen, craftsmen, and DIYers around the world. Their hand punch lineup reflects this breadth — spanning individual arch punches in a wide range of diameters, hollow steel punch sets (such as the #1280ST 6-piece set), gasket punches, and drive pin punches. Whether you need to cleanly perforate a leather belt, cut a gasket to shape, or precisely mark a drill location on metal, there is a General Tools punch engineered for that task.
- Arch Punches – Forged and heat-treated for clean, precise holes in soft materials including leather, rubber, canvas, and sheet metal
- Hollow Steel Punches – Available in sets for versatile hole-punching across multiple diameters
- Gasket Punches – Designed specifically for gasket material fabrication and repair
- Automatic Center Punches (#77 & #78) – Spring-loaded, one-handed operation for marking drill and screw locations without a hammer
Trusted by Machinists and Automotive Pros
The automatic center punch line is especially valued by machinists and automotive repair professionals who need reliable, repeatable marks before drilling. General Tools was one of the first manufacturers to build die-cast tools, and that legacy of manufacturing innovation carries forward in the tight tolerances and durable materials found throughout their punch lineup today. Whether you are punching holes in a new gasket or center-marking a steel workpiece, General Tools hand punches deliver the consistency that precision work demands.