VEVOR Hydraulic Knockout Punch Kit, 10 Ton 1/2" to 2" Conduit Hole Cutter Set, KO Tool Kits with Puncher 6 Piece, Metal Sheet Driver Tools, For Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Fiberglass and Plastic

Why I reached for this kit

I needed to add a handful of clean 1-1/4-inch and 2-inch conduit holes in a painted control panel without turning it into a burr farm. A wrench-driven punch would have done it, but with multiple holes and awkward access, I wanted the speed and control of a small hydraulic setup. That’s how I ended up spending a week with the VEVOR 10-ton hydraulic knockout kit. It’s a compact, budget-friendly punch set that covers 1/2 to 2 inches, and on paper it promised enough capability for mild steel, aluminum, and nonmetal enclosures. In practice, it held up well—with a couple of quirks worth knowing.

What’s in the box and how it feels

The kit comes with:
- Hydraulic hand pump and compact ram with adjustable head angle
- Six die/punch pairs: 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/4, 1-1/2, and 2 inches (conduit sizes)
- Two draw studs, a spacer, a piston shaft, sealing rings, and a step drill bit
- Blow-molded case

Fit and finish are better than I expected at this price. The dies are marked clearly with laser-engraved alignment lines, and the threads on the draw studs are clean. The pump’s anti-skid handle is simple but comfortable for repeated strokes, and the pressure-release knob has enough travel and feedback to avoid sudden drops in pressure. The ram’s swivel head is a big deal: being able to set the angle helped me work near back-flange bends where a fixed head would have forced me to reposition the panel.

If you live out of your case, know this: the blow-molded insert is generic. Everything fits, but not elegantly. After a long day, it felt a little like a puzzle to seat the step bit and larger dies so the lid closed without a fight.

Setup and workflow

I worked as follows:
1. Marked hole center and used the included step bit to create a pilot hole for the draw stud. The step bit isn’t boutique, but it does the job in mild steel and aluminum—use cutting oil and modest speed.
2. Assembled the appropriate die and punch pair around the workpiece with the draw stud. The engraved marks helped keep everything aligned.
3. Positioned the hydraulic ram, squared it visually with the work surface, and took up slack by hand before pumping.
4. Pumped until the slug dropped. Backed off with the release knob and disassembled.

There’s a learning curve to balancing alignment, clamping pressure, and the ram angle, but after a couple of holes I was cruising. The deep-draw die geometry requires less force than old straight-wall sets, which you feel in the pump strokes—fewer, smoother, with less hand fatigue.

Performance and capacity

VEVOR rates the kit at:
- Up to 0.10-inch (10 gauge) soft carbon steel
- Up to 0.04-inch (20 gauge) stainless steel

My results matched the spec. In 0.09-inch mild steel panels and aluminum of similar thickness, the punches cut cleanly with minimal burr. Edge quality was good enough that I only needed a quick deburr with a handheld chamfer tool to protect grommets. In 20-gauge stainless, the set still produced a clean hole, but it demanded slower, steadier pumping and precise alignment. I tried one test in 16-gauge stainless just to see—unsurprisingly, it was beyond the comfortable limit and I backed off. If stainless is your daily grind, a heavier-duty or higher-tonnage kit (and ideally slug-splitting dies) is the better path.

The 2-inch die is where lower-end sets often stumble. Here, the punch handled 2-inch in mild steel within spec without drama. Hole roundness measured true, and the die faces showed only light marking after a dozen holes.

Accuracy and hole quality

The laser-etched alignment marks make centering and orientation straightforward. I still recommend a center punch before the pilot hole to avoid wandering and a quick check with a square or straightedge if you’re stacking multiple holes in a line. Hole sizes match conduit expectations. Burrs were minor in metals, and virtually nonexistent in plastics and fiberglass when backed properly.

One note: this kit uses standard dies, not slug-splitting dies. That means you’ll get a single slug per hole that can hang on the stud. For me, a quick tap on the stud threads knocked slugs free. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you’re used to split-slag dies flinging chips out of the way, plan accordingly.

Ergonomics and control

• The pump requires modest effort thanks to the 10-ton hydraulic advantage.
• The release knob has a predictable, linear feel, so you don’t suddenly drop the ram onto the workpiece.
• The anti-skid handle is appreciated when your gloves are oily.
• The adjustable ram head is the quiet hero of this set; it makes tight corners and vertical work feasible without contorting your wrists.

Durability and maintenance

The working components are 40Cr and 45# steels, and surface finishing is adequate. After repeated mild steel and aluminum holes, the dies still cut cleanly. I did notice a light hydraulic weep at the hose connection on day one. A careful snug with the correct wrench and a wipe-down resolved it, and it didn’t return. Keep an eye on fittings, and don’t overtighten; use the provided sealing rings if you open any connections.

Maintenance tips that made a difference:
- Lightly lube draw stud threads before each session; it reduces torque and extends life.
- Keep the die faces clean; grit will mar the cut edge and wear the tooling.
- Bleed air from the hydraulic line if the ram feels spongy.
- Store the hose without tight kinks; the case doesn’t help, so coil it deliberately.

Versatility

Beyond steel enclosures, I used the kit on:
- Powder-coated panels (lightly scuff if you need the die to bite)
- Aluminum junction boxes
- Fiberglass doors (back the cut with scrap to limit tear-out)
- Plastic panels (slow, steady pressure prevents cracking)

It’s well-suited for electricians, low-voltage installers, control panel builders, van/RV upfitters, and anyone who occasionally fabricates or retrofits enclosures.

Limitations and quirks

• No slug-splitting dies. You’ll need to manage slugs manually.
• The case is more storage than organization; parts can rattle out of their pockets.
• Stainless capacity tops out at 20 gauge; respect that limit.
• The included step bit is fine for occasional use, but frequent users will want a higher-end bit.

Value and alternatives

Compared with the premium names in hydraulic knockout tools, this kit costs a fraction while covering the same common conduit sizes. You trade off refined case organization, top-tier hose/fitting quality, and in some cases the convenience of slug-splitting dies. For occasional to moderate use, that trade is easy to live with. For daily commercial stainless work, I’d step up to a pro-level set and add split dies.

Tips for best results

• Mark and center punch every location before drilling the pilot.
• Deburr the pilot hole so the die sits flat.
• Keep the die and punch square to the work; use the alignment marks.
• Lubricate draw studs; a dab of moly or light oil goes a long way.
• Pump steadily; don’t rush the final cut through.
• Support plastics and fiberglass from behind with a sacrificial board.
• Empty slugs frequently so they don’t bind on the stud.

Bottom line

The VEVOR hydraulic knockout kit does exactly what a 10-ton punch set should: it makes clean, round conduit holes from 1/2 to 2 inches in common panel materials with minimal fuss. The adjustable ram head and clear alignment marks make it genuinely usable in real-world, not-so-roomy enclosures. It isn’t a stainless workhorse, and you won’t get the convenience of slug-splitting dies or a premium case, but within its stated limits it’s efficient, accurate, and surprisingly easy on the hands.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit to electricians, panel builders, and fabricators who need a reliable, budget-friendly hydraulic punch for mild steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastics, with occasional light stainless work. It’s a strong value for occasional to moderate use, and with basic care it should hold up well. If you punch stainless every day or want slug-splitting capability and top-shelf fittings, invest in a higher-end system; otherwise, this kit is a smart, capable addition to the shop.