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

For some reason, mine wasnt firing properly when I first got it. I was about to return it, but decided to open it up, clean it and put it back together first just to make sure there wasnt something hanging it up. Nothing obvious noted when it was apart, but when I put it back together it worked fine, and has ever since. Oddball issue, but overall Im very happy. This thing is typical Starrett quality - built like a tank.

This marking punch packs a wallop. It leaves a deep centering mark in the hardest steel. A great tool.

First let me thank the Amazon Customer whos 2017 review mentioned that he couldnt turn the knurled adjustment cap. Here it is 2021 and I had the same issue, but with a vise and pliers it opened right up. After a little testing I see a big difference in dimple size between the light and heavy settings. I cant really address durability except that I inherited a Starrett 18A lighter duty model out of my grandfathers toolbox years ago and its still punches just fine. I just thought with this heaver punch I wouldnt have to follow up with a hammer and punch on the harder metals, and so far so good. I keep HF punches in the cars for breaking windows in emergency (and test them every so often), but for real work Starrett cant be beat.

Everything Ive grown to expect from Starrett. Inheriting my grandfathers Starrett mics and running metrology & calibration labs during my career have me a $tarrett believer. Pricy but will be reliable and accurate forever.

This is the best spring loaded center punch that I have used, but (for complete disclosure) I havent used a lot of them. I experienced a tiny bit of jump on the accuracy (which is why I rated the accuracy a 4 - if they offered a 4.5, I would have selected that). Looks and feels solid, very easy to adjust and use. So much so that I bought the 18A as well. So far, I would buy again.

The Starrett automatic center punch has the same high quality as all other Starrett tools I have ever owned. It is a little stiff to use when adjusted for full impact but creates a nice little punch mark where you want it. I can highly recommend this item.

The body is beefy, knurling is perfect, sharp hardened point. Performed exactly as expected.

I always used a punch and hammer togeather. Now I am able to mark holes more quickly one handed which is especially nice when I need to drill several holes. Realizing that took away overspending concerns especially since Starrett makes high quality tools. I read some comments about the tool not resetting. I am not sure if it was the same issue I noticed but the tool would fail to reset after multiple punches. After some thought a Duh moment arrived and with it realizing I was not lifting the tool up fully from the stock after it clicked. Perhaps it has something to do with getting broken in. Since then the issue went away. The only other smidgeon of an issue is the black paint job on a small tool which can make for tedious searching. Next hardware order will include some bright color spray paint.

Wow... this is powerful. Like other reviewers, I received this with the knurled cap so tight I couldnt budge it until I put it in a vice and rotated it w/ pliers. But even before loosening the tension, I tried it on a piece of hardwood (Teak) and it punched a good hole in it (albeit at the expense of straining both of my hands). After loosening, the tension/punching was much easier to manage. Id buy again - a bit pricey but worth it.

Works well and the ability to adjust it for your needs is a bonus