Best Drift Punches of 2025

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

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Drift punches are a type of hand tool used in metalworking and woodworking to align and enlarge holes. They are typically made of high-quality steel and come in various sizes and shapes, including tapered, straight, and pointed. Drift punches are commonly used to remove pins, bolts, or rivets from machinery and equipment. They can also be used to adjust or stabilise machinery parts or to shape and enlarge holes in metal or wood. Drift punches are a versatile and essential tool for any workshop or DIY enthusiast.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Mayhew Tools Brass Drift Punch Set, 3-Piece Cover #TOP 1
Mayhew Tools Brass Drift Punch Set, 3-Piece
ftb score rating icon 9.8
BRILLIANT TOOLS BT085070 6-Piece Drift Punch Set Cover #TOP 2
BRILLIANT TOOLS BT085070 6-Piece Drift Punch Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
S&R Heavy-Duty 6-Piece Punch Set Cover #TOP 3
S&R Heavy-Duty 6-Piece Punch Set
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Drift Punches

#TOP 1

Mayhew Tools Brass Drift Punch Set, 3-Piece

Mayhew
61360
Brass
3-Piece Set
Mayhew Tools Brass Drift Punch Set, 3-Piece Cover
Mayhew Tools 61360 Brass Drift Punch, 3-Piece Set

The Mayhew Brass Drift Punch Set is crafted from non-marring, non-sparking brass, ensuring that you can work on harder steel materials without causing damage. Its smooth polished finish, combined with a double knurled feature, provides you with a secure grip for more effective use. Made in the USA, this set includes three sizes: 3/4-19mm x 8", 1/2-13mm x 7", and 3/8-10mm x 6". You can confidently transfer the force of a hammer blow to specific locations, making it easier to remove or loosen parts and pins.

What We Like
Non-marring brass material
Effective double knurled grip
Multiple sizes included
Made in the USA
#TOP 2

BRILLIANT TOOLS BT085070 6-Piece Drift Punch Set

BT085070
BRILLIANT TOOLS BT085070 6-Piece Drift Punch Set Cover
BRILLIANT TOOLS BT085070 Drift Punch Set 6 Pieces [Powered by KS Tools]

The BRILLIANT TOOLS Drift Punch Set is designed for precision and quality, making it an excellent choice for manufacturing tasks. With its functionality rooted in German engineering, this set is ideal for DIY enthusiasts, craftsmen, and mechanics alike. You will appreciate the intelligent design that focuses on quality, providing you with reliable tools at an affordable price. With over 25 years of experience, this drift punch set ensures you have the right tools for all your applications.

What We Like
High-quality German manufacturing
Great for DIY enthusiasts
Affordable price-performance ratio
Reliable for various applications
Intelligent design focused on essentials
#TOP 3

S&R Heavy-Duty 6-Piece Punch Set

S&R
283.100.006
6 pcs.
S&R Heavy-Duty 6-Piece Punch Set Cover
S&R Heavy-Duty Punch Set – 6-Piece, Chrome Vanadium Steel, German Made, 1-5mm Drift Punches + Centre Punch

The S&R Punch Set is a comprehensive 6-piece collection, featuring five drift punches in sizes from 1 to 5mm and a 4mm centre punch. Crafted in Germany from durable chrome-vanadium steel, these tools are designed for intensive use and maintain reliable accuracy. The ergonomic multi-edge design ensures a comfortable grip, reducing hand strain while you work. Additionally, the precision hardened steel construction guarantees resistance to corrosion, providing long-lasting performance for your projects.

What We Like
High durability and reliability
Comfortable, ergonomic grip
Includes essential punch sizes
Corrosion-resistant materials
Practical storage box included
#TOP 4

Facom Drift Punch Set with Ergonomic Handles

BLACK+DECKER
FCM249GJ7
Mehrfarbig
Facom Drift Punch Set with Ergonomic Handles Cover
Facom FCM249GJ7 249.GJ7 2 - 10mm Drift Punch Set

The Facom Drift Punch Set offers a sheathed design that protects the punches and enhances durability. With its long shank, you can easily reach difficult areas, making your tasks more manageable. The high tensile strength ensures that the punches withstand heavy use without bending or breaking. Additionally, the ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip, allowing you to work for longer periods without discomfort. This set is ideal for aligning bolt or rivet holes, making it a practical choice for various projects.

What We Like
Durable sheathed design
Long reach with shank
High tensile strength
Comfortable ergonomic handles
Perfect for aligning holes
#TOP 5

Facom 249.GPB Precision Drift Punch Set

249.GPB
Facom 249.GPB Precision Drift Punch Set Cover
Facom 249.GPB Sheathed Drift Punches,

The Facom Drift Punches are designed for precision and ease of use. Their differentially hardened construction ensures durability, making them reliable tools for your projects. The tri-material shock absorbing handle provides comfort, reducing fatigue during extended use. Ergonomically shaped, these handles also enhance your grip, ensuring better control. Ideal for aligning bolt or rivet holes, these punches make it easier for you to insert fasteners accurately and efficiently.

What We Like
Durable and long-lasting
Comfortable shock absorbing handle
Ergonomic design for better grip
Precision alignment for fasteners
#TOP 6

Gunpla 7-Piece Heavy Duty Drilling Punch Set

1-6mm
7pcs
Gunpla 7-Piece Heavy Duty Drilling Punch Set Cover
Gunpla 7 Pieces Drift and Center Punch Set Chrome Vanadium Heavy Duty 120mm Pilot Holes Drilling Punches with 1-6mm Head Tools Kit in Storage Pouch

The Gunpla Drift Punch Set is designed for durability and efficiency. Made from heavy-duty chrome vanadium, these tools are tough and resistant to scratches, ensuring they last for many years. The quality pin punches make it easy for you to remove or drive in bolts and pins, simplifying your tasks. Additionally, the special centre punch allows you to create precise indentations, helping you to mark your drilling points accurately. This practicality is enhanced by the included blue storage pouch, keeping your tools organised and easy to access.

What We Like
Durable chrome vanadium material
Easy bolt and pin removal
Precise marking for drilling
Convenient storage pouch included
#TOP 7

Connex COXT660104 Drift Punch Set, 4 Pieces

COXT660104
Silver/Red
Connex COXT660104 Drift Punch Set, 4 Pieces Cover
Connex COXT660104 Drift Punch Set, Silver/Red

The Connex Drift Punch Set includes four essential sizes: 120x10x2 mm, 120x10x3 mm, 120x10x4 mm, and 120x10x5 mm. This variety allows you to tackle different tasks with ease, whether you’re marking workpieces or aligning holes. Made from chromium-molybdenum-vanadium air-hardening steel, these punches are durable and resistant to wear, ensuring they last through numerous projects. The set is designed for convenience, making it a reliable addition to your toolkit.

What We Like
Multiple sizes for versatility
Durable construction material
Easy to use
Essential for marking and alignment
#TOP 8

Britool E418226B Drift Punch Set, 6 Pieces

E418226B
Britool E418226B Drift Punch Set, 6 Pieces Cover
Britool E418226B Drift Punch Set, 1.5cm x 3.1cm x 0.8cm, 6 Pcs

The Britool Drift Punch Set offers a selection of six sizes, ranging from 2mm to 8mm, ensuring you have the right tool for various tasks. The one-piece design enhances strength and durability, making it a reliable choice for your projects. With a hardness rating of 48-56 HRC for smaller diameters and 50-58 HRC for larger ones, you can expect excellent performance. Weighing just 381g, this set is easy to handle, providing you with convenience and efficiency when working.

What We Like
Variety of sizes available
Durable one-piece design
High hardness ratings
Lightweight and easy to use
#TOP 9

BRILLIANT TOOLS 6-Piece Drift Punch Set

4042146778302
Other
BRILLIANT TOOLS 6-Piece Drift Punch Set Cover
BRILLIANT TOOLS Drift Punch Set 6 Pieces, Other

The BRILLIANT TOOLS Drift Punch Set is a collection of six high-quality drift punches made from hardened steel, ensuring strength and durability. These tools are perfect for driving pins, which is essential when you need precision in your work. They also assist in aligning holes, making your tasks smoother and more efficient. Additionally, the set comes with a convenient storage case, allowing you to keep your punches organised and easily accessible whenever you need them.

What We Like
Durable hardened steel construction
Ideal for driving pins
Helps align holes accurately
Convenient storage case included
#TOP 10

Connex 4-Piece Chrome-Vanadium Steel Punch Set

COXT653104
Silver/Red
One Size
Connex 4-Piece Chrome-Vanadium Steel Punch Set Cover
Centre Punches/Drift Punches Set 4-Piece of Chrome-Vanadium Steel

The Connex Punch Set is a versatile tool for precision tasks. With sizes of 3mm, 4mm (two pieces), and 5mm, it caters to various needs, making it a great choice for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. The chrome-vanadium steel construction ensures durability and strength, providing you with reliable performance for repeated use. This set includes one centre punch and three round punches, giving you the flexibility to tackle different drilling and aligning tasks with ease.

What We Like
Durable chrome-vanadium steel
Multiple sizes available
Includes centre and round punches
Versatile for various tasks
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a punch and a drift?

Punches are used first to drive a hole through the metal being forged, followed by a drift, which smooths and is used to widen the 'hole'.

2. Is a drift punch a starter punch?

Starting punch is similar to a drift punch, but with a wider point and a shorter, heavier body. Use for installing pins and rivets and for starting their removal. These Punches are used as a starting tool prior to using Pin Punches, as they are useful for loosening frozen or tight pins and keys, or knocking out rivet.

3. What does a drift punch look like?

The drive punch has a flat face instead of a point. The width of its face defines this type of punch, for example, 1/8-in or 1/4-in. The sides of a drive punch will taper all the way down to the face, but sometimes you may need to use a punch with a straight shank. This is called the pin or drift punch.

4. What are drift tools?

In metalworking, a drift pin, drift pin punch, simply drift, is the name for a tool used for localizing a hammer blow. A drift is smaller in diameter than the hammer face, thus concentrating the force into a smaller area. A drift is also used where the surrounding surfaces need to be protected from the hammer blow.

Editor's Notes

During our drift punch research, we found 70 drift punch products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,432 customer reviews through our big data system to write the drift punches list. We found that most customers choose drift punches with an average price of £28.33.

The drift punches are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drift punches, including Mayhew, BRILLIANT TOOLS, S&R, BLACK+DECKER, Facom.

Written by
Jennifer Fraser Avatar

Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.