Starrett Steel Automatic Center Punch with Adjustable Stroke - 5-1/4" Length, 11/16" Punch Diameter, Lightweight, Knurled Steel Handle - 18C

I just want to say i have had many different brands of center punches throughout the years Harbor freight, neiko, mayhew, amazon/ebay no name brands. They have all had certain things i didnt like, some broke, some slipped, some bent, some dulled. I knew about the starrett, but the price was just more than i was willing to pay. The irony is i should have just bought this one and saved myself money from all the others. This is one of those rare buy once cry once, pass on to your grandchildren quality tools. I work in the trades. My tools get used. I learn very quickly what is good and what isint. This is a quality tool. The weight is right. The size is right . The knurling for the grip is grippy and aggressive without being too much. Its simple and strong. The threading of parts are clean and tight. The punch requires some pressure to activate but hits hard and makes a usable divot for your drill bit. I believe in it so much i got one for work and when i used it i immediately bought another one for home. I dont think i can come up with anything negative. Other than the sticker shock. But i promise you. Once you buy this one you wont be needing/wanting a different one. Other than maybe more.

Beefy punch. Makes marks very well. Will rust on if you keep it in your pocket. Has a tendency to come apart in your pocket but its easy to screw back together

Quality center punch. Makes a deep punch mark for easy drilling. Well built and works perfectly.

I have used automatic center punches quite extensively for metal work when fabricating industrial control panels. They are a vital tool to drilling precise holes in metal and they offer the convenience of not having to use a hammer. I purchased this starrett punch because of the quality of their other tools and because I have used cheaper ones that would take multiple blows to create a small dent because they just do not have the striking power needed. I also know that when it comes to tools the best ones are a joy to use and the cheap ones will only make you wish you just paid the money and got the best one to start with. I was unsure of which one to order because I could not find any information online comparing the AA, A and C sizes, I ended up purchasing the 18C because it was listed as heavy duty and I figured I could turn down the striking power but if it was not enough on the smaller ones you cannot turn it up. I think for most people's uses the 18A would be the most ideal size and power. The punch showed up in perfect condition, when held in the hand it does display true craftsmanship and quality which is so hard to find these days. The tip is not quite as sharp as I would have liked for those jobs where you want absolute precision, clearly it is made for heavier duty work than the other punches I have used in the past, and when the spring is turned to its maximum power it does take quite a bit of force to depress and strike a blow but you can be sure that one is enough. I would be mindful that when turned all the way up if you were to push down at any sort of angle you would risk the tip slipping and just putting a huge gouge in your work but sometimes you need that sort of power. When turned down however it delivers a much lighter blow that is even useful for wood, albeit maybe not something like balsam. The machining and quality of this tool is as I said top notch. Yes you can get a punch for just a few dollars that might work just fine but you invest in a tool like this and it will last a lifetime. It is also very easy to take apart to clean or lube if you ever need to. Very pleased with this tool and I wish I could afford to outfit my entire toolbox with tools of this quality.

Like some people have shared this is a high quality tool however it takes an insane amount of pressure to get the punch to activate, other than that this is just about the best automatic punch I’ve had. This punch looks great feels great and just works like a good tool should.

Quality that you expect from Starrett.

Awesome, works very well, certainly heavy duty, contrary to any unhappiness with this product from other reviewers, I purchased two from Amazon, with a firm hold, both punches make one dent per actuation, I find that the rough ends of the adjustment spring prevent the punch from wandering away from the tension setting that I adjusted it to, a good idea in my world. In my opinion once I find a happy spot for my needs I won't be winding this thing up and down anyway as I might select a lighter punch for lighter work. 5 star, both punches that I purchased work awesome ! I recommend this brand of punch to anyone who is looking for excellent quality and years of durability. This item is used by gripping punch firmly in one hand and pushing the pointy bit into a metal plate all the way down until it kicks, it will leave a nice smart dent so that you can use it for layout purposes, a dent to start a drill bit in, and other creative uses, ie: denting a shaft surface, etc wind in the handle end clockwise all the way makes a heavier dent, counter clockwise progressively lightens the dent impression created., Unlike the previous automatic centre punch that someone borrowed from me, and used a hammer on it....its only good for that now. For hand use only, maybe an optional plastic handle on this thing might end any confusion with a hammer style centre punch ( what do you think Starrett ? )

This is the best center punch I have ever used. And I’ve been on a quest since I once used one made here in Rhode Island by a company I forget the name. But it was like Smith and Something Co. This is the most powerful punch. Hardly ever fails. On its highest setting it is even hard to push it to trigger. But it’s completely adjustable. I even use it to test old metal panels on the car restorations I do. I highly recommend buying it people. It is well worth the extra $10-15 for something so well made and reliable. I have two others collecting dust now. A Lisle and a General tools one. They were both weak and so unreliable.

la molette supérieure permet un tarage du ressort de frappe en fonction de la dureté du matériau à frapper. perso, une fois marqué précisément, je le refrappe au pointeau simple avec un marteau pour être sûr que la mèche ne glisse pas hors de ce marquage

Ok

Muy buen granete automático de muy buena calidad y funciona perfectamente, marca en acero duro sin problema y la punta aguanta bien. Por si a alguien le interesa o le pasa lo que a mí os digo que el mío bino mal montado me refiero al muelle con lo cual no cargaba y por lo tanto no daba el golpe para marcar pero es tan simple como dar la vuelta al muelle y ya no falla ni una vez.

Un prodotto di qualità, che si percepisce già al tatto e che si conferma con l’uso. La forza di scatto è regolabile e ciò consente di scegliere l’intensità della marcatura a seconda del materiale su cui si lavora. Questo modello è perfetto per lavori di falegnameria e su metalli teneri; molto meno adatto per acciaio inox e metalli duri in generale per i quali consiglio i modelli dí maggiore dimensioni e forza.

The Starrett 18c is a decent punch for steel and most other metals. The finishing of the tool is very nice, and the design and craft making it shows by the look and feel of the tool. In my country these usually sell for 80 Euro at local dealers because its a specialty tool that they don't sell often.