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

This is the second one Ive owned. The first keeps disappearing on me. Now I KNOW where I can find one when I need it. Being Starrett, you know its high quality.

Product quickly arrived as promised. This small punch makes a tiiiiiny indention, enough for a drillbit to lead. I do wish was more potent and made a larger indention in sheet metal.

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.

This, the 18AA is a little brother to the 18A. Keep in mind that the 18AA has no replaceable tips which can be a good thing as its more rugged. I use auto center punches for aviation rivet removal so they are heavily abused. Starrett auto center punches have never misfired even once for me. Bypass the red punches from the tool truck they are junk compared to a Starrett!

Good for woodworking, even on softer woods. Sometimes takes a couple punches to make the size of hole that I want but given how easy it is to use this isnt really a con, just press up and down a couple times. It works on metal too but obviously if you are primarily doing metal working this probably wont be heavy duty enough.

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.

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

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

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

This gets a solid five stars because it really is perfect. The wind up is very, very smooth with a nice and short throw, which helps keep it on the spot while pressing on it. The resulting action is quick, firm, and surprisingly powerful considering how effortless the wind up is. It makes me wonder if they are somehow cheating the conservation of momentum and energy... Oh yeah and the knurling and overall look is second to none. It feels super sweet to hold! Given all of this, plus the fact that it only costs as much as 6 lattes, plus the fact that its still made in the USA, dont even bother to waste your money on a cheaper import (which are only cheaper by about 1/2 as much - were still in the impulse dollars range here folks...).