Astro 608ST ONYX Straight Type Punch/Flange Tool

This tool appears well-made and punches nice clean holes. However, as others have noted, the holes are too close to the edge to comfortably plug weld. My concern is that I would potentially vaporize the thin strip, and the lack of strength that close to the edge. I returned this and went with a hand-operated punch.

I like the product. Very good and exactly like description says. Only thing I didnt like was that the Amazon driver left the package in my driveway under the front tire of my truck. 4-6 more steps and they could have sat it on the porch.

Just had one from Harbor Freight and didn't even last one job. Took this flange tool andwent right to work. Put a nice crease in the metal with ease. Put a complete crease inthe quarter panel in 10 minutes. Also has a hole punch and put holes in the metal likebutter. This is one great tool !!!!!!

Great for making holes for spot welds. This makes a nice big hole that is easier to weld than most that only make a 3/16" hole. I modified mine by cutting the throat deeper so that the big hole is not too close to the edge of the metal so i can weld even easier without blowing out the metal.

Heavy. Awkward to use as trigger lever can barely be fingered/grasped because it sticks too far out from body. Need to hold it at air inlet to use, making it unbalanced, tiring, imprecise. Performed weak flanges (was quiet, though) and needed three passes to create minimal depth. And this barely allows flush fit up of adjacent panel as intended. Terrible if panels not precisely flat. Holes punched OK. Quit working after making just 6" of flange with three holes. Anvil jaws would no longer close to form flange. No operating instructions.

I bought this product from a place that was a lower price. I loaned it to a that time, was a friend of mine. I did not ask for it back. It did not crimp the metal as well as I thought it should.

Works great on 16ga, punches nice clean holes and flanges well. Will flange 14ga but its to thick to get in to the puncher.

So far, I have had good results with the tool. Easy to use with the 20 gauge sheet metal I work with.

Merci