For those who have no idea what i'm talking about - it's a specific tool (VAR historic catalogue lists this but not the modern up to date one) to punch holes in fenders - very time saving for shop use. Does anyone know where to source such a tool or an equivalent that is still made?



That would be the first tool listed there.

Maybe check with a sheet metal shop, or sheet metal shop tool provider?

Operator- that tool looks alot like a rivet hole punch for hanging suspended ceilings- might be worth checking out the local hardware store.

EDIT: I just checked the PDF of the VAR catalog and it's not in there. I guess the print catalog I have is older like 2003. So they made them up till '03ish. Passed one over at a bike shop closing sale not too long ago, should have grabbed it!

https://www.mcmaster.com/#sheet-metal-punches/=60l1d3

I personally own 3461a22...ive never used it as a fender punch (none of my bikes have fenders) but I dont see why it wouldnt work...kinda pricey unless your doing alot (its about 60)

Doug in sunny iowa

That's about what the VAR tool would cost. A bit much for a one-off job, but operator says he wants to use it in a shop, which could recoup the investment fairly quickly.

My one concern is whether the McMaster tool would have sufficient offset to fit over the fender;the VAR tool has that nicely built in.

Called a Whitney Junior. J.C. Whitney sells a cheap clone, not as sturdy, but strong enough for punching holes in fenders. Only problem may be the reach, maximum distance inside the throat is 1 3/4 inches to hole center.
https://www.roperwhitney.com/punching/2-45.cfm

There's also this "deep throat" model for less than $30 from Harbor Freight Tools. Looks like it has all the dies.

https://tinyurl.com/ygoelej

Dang, Opie... the shop where I learned the trade had a VAR punch hanging on the wall. It was rarely used (the shop's in Southern California), but I bet it's still there.

The Harbor Fright unit looks usable:

I have a 2009 VAR catalogue and that tool is in there.

Hey guys, I just wanted to update you - Cyclus has a fender punch tool that is available - $130'ish I think, retail. Which is perfectly fine for shop use, the tool quality looks rather low but i'll reserve judgement till we actually receive said tool:

That looks like a pretty good copy of the VAR. What distributor has those in stock?

In canada KMI lists this in their catalog, not sure if they have it in stock yet.

I wonder if I can order from them in the US. The only Cyclus dist. here in the US seems to only carry some of the tools.

Who still makes a fender punch tool? <-- its called hammer and nails...

Is the benefit of using a fender punch not having to de-burr the hole, like you would if you used a drill?

Sometimes speed is everything, center punching and drilling a metal fender either has to be done off the bike, or with some "I might drill into my hand if I screw up" kind of hack method.

A fender punch is much faster, and with a Honjo fender install, it's nice to save some time wherever you can, since you'll be spending a ton of time on it. Especially if it's been a while since you last installed a set.

operator, can you give us an end-user report when you get the tool? I could use one, but not if it sucks.

It's labour saving.

We're typically installing full fender sets on full CF bikes, or mid-high end road bikes $1800+ so drilling through the fender that is right next to a frame tube is not acceptable. Meaning we must remove the fender to drill it. Or if we do take that risk we have to put a metal backplate to stop the drill against - again more time wasting. Factor in that every bike is different and requires marking and precise placement of holes for zip-ties/other doohickeys this labour adds up dramatically over the # of fender sets we install. $100 for that tool is nothing. That's just under 2 hours of shop time labour wise. For one-off personal installs of fenders I could care less.

And also, yes you don't have to deburr.

Filed in mental rolodex.

Operator,
Mine is Eldi, but I don't think they still make them. I'm pretty sure VAR does still, and you've found the Cyclus. I'm also interested in hearing the user report just an case anyone I know ever wants to find one.

Clifton,
Just as Operator said, it's all about time. Sort of like the $300 wire terminal crimpers vs. the $50 or $5 ones. Including overhead, my time bills out to one of the projects I'm on at about 3 cents per second (I get paid a small portion of that). If I make three cables per day I use the tool 24 times per day (4 terminals*2 sides of the connector*3 sets) and it saves 15 seconds each time I make a crimp, it pays for its self in under three weeks.

Any update on the Cyclus fender punch? I went looking for it again on the Cyclus website and noticed it said for plastic fenders. Would love to hear it works good on the metal fenders as well.