Starrett Automatic Center Punch with Hardened Steel Metal - 100mm Length, 11mm Punch Diameter Tapered Point - 18AA

As presented! This punch actually allows one to vary the indentation force via the adjustment knob - unlike a previous purchase!

It is smaller than I expected. It works well but I wish I would have gotten the 18c. It would have been a little bit bigger and punched a little bit harder. All in all a very high-quality product!

Took me a while to decide to spend the money for this center punch. It is a lot more expensive than the cheap Chinese products sold under different brand names. I cant compare this Starrett to the other products since I only have this one. The Starrett seems to be of the high quality expected from this brand - and the price tag. It malfunctioned a couple of times at the beginning but probably due to some burrs left from the manufacturing process. It works well now, did not have any more issues.

Was too weak to produce a dimple in the metal sheet I wanted to drill.

It seems to catch and not punch sometimes but removing it and resetting the punch mechanism it hasnt completely failed yet.

I had to return this for a replacement. Half the time, the spring would not rest after triggering. The replacement (same make/model) is great -- heavy, precise, and reliable.

After just a few uses, stopped resetting after punch. Springs seemed to be worn even when new. Internal pin seemed to wedge in body. Could be a knock-off and not a real Starett.

The punch was as seller indicated and in fine condition, however, not knowing the the model number it was much smaller than the one I had previously owned (US made by General Tool) and turned out to be too small and too light-duty for my purposes... it was like a mini-punch. I had to re-purchase the18A model from another source. I should contact the seller to request a return.

Read the bad reviews. These things seem to have some manufacturing issues. Specifically, the spring over the point seems a bit weak and the things arrive internally dirty with a poor internal finish on parts that slide. However, its easily repairable and just using the unit to break it in will help a lot. Heres how to get it going again. Unscrew the point end and carefully remove the pin, spring and point. Make sure to notice how things are laid out. Clean each component, remove any debris, clean the threads, Use a good lubricant on everything. I like using a dry Teflon type that wont attract dust and dirt. Next, unscrew the top. Careful as there is a spring in there. Now you have to remove the slid inside the top half. Just push it out the top. I used a can of compressed air to blow it out, but a small paper clip would also work I believe. Clean it and the tube. Q-tips are your friend here. Lubricate as above and reassemble. And use it. Wear it in. Youll have to play with the point end adjustment a little, just unscrew half a turn and put back. Itll get smoother and more reliable. Note that on the point end, the point drops in first, then the pin (flat side toward point) and the spring goes on the pin. The smaller end of the spring goes onto the pin first.

Pay attention to the recent reviews regarding failure to reset after triggering, which it mostly doesn’t do. Unfortunately I waited too long before I realized how bad it was. Test immediately, if you bother at all. Apparently, Starrett isn’t the company it used to be. I have vintage tools that are 50 years old and work perfectly, but now there’s a 30-day return limit? Ridiculous! Also, this model is TINY! I didn’t realize a micro-version was an option. Fool me once…