Punch

A punch is a short bar of hardened steel ending in a point, which is struck with a hammer or pushed by hand. It is one of the simplest tools in the kit and one of the most used.

Before drilling sheet metal or a metal part, the punch marks the exact spot so that the drill bit does not slip. Those with a flat tip, known as pin punches, are used to drive out pins and spindles from hinges and handles without damaging them, and to push small parts when dismantling a mechanism.

When a door that has dropped needs adjusting, or an old piece of hardware seized by salt air has to come off, the punch is what lets you get the pin out without forcing the door leaf. If your door rubs or does not close properly, see door repair and adjustment.