AMZCNC Hydraulic Knockout Punch Electrical Conduit Hole Cutter Set KO Tool Kit 1/2 to 2 inch (8T(1/2"-2")), Alloy Steel

Overview

I put the AMZCNC 8‑ton knockout kit to work across a handful of real jobs—service upgrades, transfer switch installs, and a couple of gutter penetrations—and it’s proven to be a capable, budget-friendly hydraulic punch set for conduit sizes 1/2 to 2 inches. It’s not the most refined kit on the market, but it makes clean, round holes with less fuss than hole saws and far less effort than a ratchet punch. If you need a reliable way to produce conduit knockouts in steel and light stainless without stepping up to a battery punch, this one gets the core job right.

What’s in the kit

You get six dies covering common trade sizes: 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and 2 inches. The hydraulic ram is hand‑operated with a long handle, and the draw system uses standard 3/4‑16 threads. That matters because it plays nicely with other domestic tooling; I threaded in a couple of Greenlee‑pattern dies I already own and they seated and cut without drama. The set is rated for 1/8-inch (10 ga) mild steel and 1/16-inch stainless. It’s also fine on softer materials like copper, brass, aluminum (soft alloys), fiberglass, and plastics.

You’ll still need to drill a pilot hole to pass the draw stud. I’ve had the best results using a step bit sized just over the stud diameter and de-burring the hole before assembling the punch.

Setup and build quality

Out of the case, the hydraulic head feels stout and the dies are machined cleanly with clear size markings. The long handle provides good leverage and the grip doesn’t slip, even when I’m bearing down for the last few pumps on a 2-inch cut. The draw stud threads were cut clean, and with a dab of anti‑seize they stayed smooth under load.

Where the kit shows its price is the molded case. The internal layout doesn’t cradle the ram particularly well, and the latches are a thin, flexing plastic that isn’t confidence‑inspiring. Mine would close, but I had to shuffle the ram position to keep the lid from bowing. After a few weeks riding in the van, I moved the kit into a sturdier case and foam cutout. The tools themselves are solid; the carry solution is the weak link.

In use: steel panels and gutters

Most of my use was in mild steel: panel covers, a thicker transfer switch enclosure, and a few gutters. For 1/2 through 1‑1/4 inches, it’s quick—pump, pop, done. On 1‑1/2 and 2 inches, you feel the load ramp up as the die nears completion. The hydraulic pump has enough stroke to get through 2-inch holes without re‑setting, but expect the final strokes to take deliberate effort in 10‑gauge steel. The holes themselves were uniformly round with minimal burr, and the slug typically curled and fell free. On a couple of vertical cuts I needed pliers to grab the slug, but extraction was never a fight.

The punch leaves a clean edge that’s far better than a hole saw in thin panel stock, and it saves significant time compared to chaining pilot hole, hole saw, and de‑burring. For field installs where a neat hole matters—for example, bonding locknuts and weather‑tight fittings—the finish is more than acceptable. I still kiss the edge with a deburring tool for stainless and when pulling sensitive conductors.

Stainless and aluminum

Within its stated limits, the kit handles stainless appropriately. I tested a 1-inch hole in 1/16-inch (approx. 16 ga) 304 stainless and the punch tracked perfectly. It takes more pumps than mild steel, and I recommend cutting oil and slower strokes to reduce galling. For aluminum, I tried both soft 1/8-inch enclosure stock and a piece of harder plate. In the softer alloy, 2-inch holes were smooth and quick. In harder plate, 2-inch cuts were doable but clearly at the edge of comfort—the ram never stalled, but the effort spiked and the edge needed a light de‑burr. If frequent aluminum plate work is on your docket, stepping up in tonnage would be smart.

Ergonomics and speed

This is still a manual hydraulic tool, and it’s not small. The head is bulkier than a mechanical knockout set, which can limit access in tight meter cans or crowded gutter runs. Plan your hole locations with clearance for the ram and handle swing. The flip side is speed: once the punch is assembled, most holes are done in under a minute, and the hydraulic assist means you’re not wrestling a ratchet for every quarter‑turn.

The long handle is a big help for 2-inch cuts, and the grip texture stays tacky with oily gloves. I would’ve liked a swiveling head to improve handle positioning, but you can usually clock the die orientation to make pumping comfortable.

Die range and compatibility

The included dies cover the core conduit trade sizes up to 2 inches, which is exactly what I need for most residential and light commercial work. Because the system is 3/4‑16 threaded, I added a couple of specialty dies—metric and a radio chassis size—from another brand and they threaded and cut fine. That’s a real advantage if you already own a few dies or need to expand later. Above 2 inches, the 8‑ton rating becomes a practical ceiling in tougher materials, so I wouldn’t count on this ram as a do‑everything base for 2‑1/2 and 3 inches in steel. For plastics and fiberglass, larger sizes are more plausible but alignment and backing are critical to avoid cracking.

Hole quality and alignment tips

A few habits helped produce clean results:

• Use a stepped pilot hole sized just over the stud and de‑burr before punching.
• Lightly oil the die cutting edges and the draw stud threads; wipe and re‑apply between holes in stainless.
• Back the die with a flat support on flimsy panels to prevent oil-canning.
• Align the die square to the surface before you start pumping; once the cut starts, you can’t correct a lean.
• Stop pumping as soon as the slug drops; over‑stroking only stresses the stud and threads.

Following that routine, the holes land precisely on layout marks and fittings thread on cleanly with full gasket contact on weather‑tight connectors.

Capacity, maintenance, and reliability

Over the first several dozen holes, the ram held pressure well and the pump remained smooth. After a few months, I noticed a light oil weep at a fitting. A quarter‑turn snug and a wipe took care of it, and it hasn’t returned. I now make a habit of checking fittings and wiping the ram before it goes back in the case. Keep the threads clean, the dies oiled, and store the kit with the ram retracted to minimize seal stress.

As for wear, the die cutting edges still look crisp after multiple 2-inch cuts in 10‑ga steel. They’re not brittle, and I’ve seen no chipping. Expect normal polishing on the cutting land; a little oil goes a long way in extending life.

Where it fits in

This kit hits a sweet spot for electricians and fabricators who need consistent, clean knockouts up to 2 inches without spending battery‑tool money. It’s faster and cleaner than hole saws, dramatically easier than purely mechanical punches at larger sizes, and compatible with common 3/4‑16 dies you may already own. The trade‑off is bulk in tight spaces, a so‑so case, and some effort required on 1‑1/2 and 2-inch cuts in thicker steel. If you punch large stainless knockouts all day, you’ll want more tonnage or a powered solution. If you’re doing a steady mix of steel panels, gutters, and occasional stainless, this 8‑ton setup is a very practical choice.

Recommendation

I recommend the AMZCNC 8‑ton knockout kit for anyone who needs reliable 1/2- to 2‑inch conduit holes in mild steel and light stainless and wants compatibility with 3/4‑16 dies at a sensible price. It delivers clean, repeatable results, has enough muscle for 2‑inch holes in 10‑ga steel, and plays well with standard tooling. The compromises—an unimpressive case, some bulk in tight quarters, and the expected effort at the top end of its range—are easy to live with given the performance. Keep the threads lubricated, watch your alignment, and this kit will save time on every panel you punch.