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

This is a quality tool, yes a bit more expensive than its counterparts, but its the only one you will buy in your lifetime. Unless you are like me and must have the 18a as well BAM! This tool hits with significant force, enough to mark stainless steel billet. Im getting the 18a as well for some lighter sheet metal work. You dont find quality like this often. Im really proud to own this tool. No regerts :)

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 wont 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 ? )

Any Starrett products are world class in there market they do command a high price but never fall short in performance and quality. This center punch is a perfect example of just that, just holding it you are sure of its quality. For use in wood or Soft material You could get away with a lighter duty Starrett automatic center punch. But in metal hard or soft one crack of this punch in the shop And the heads will turn. Often imitated but never duplicated, OK Starrett send me some free tools for this great review....Well it’s worth a try.

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.

First off-this is a quality product, for professional use. There is no slop on the part fit up, and replacement parts are readily available through the manufacturer. It’s a tad expensive, but it’s worth more than what I paid for it. It’s easily adjustable, and strikes reliably, without losing its pinch pressure setting. A tad stiff at the hardest punching level, I would recommend some type of padding or impact glove for all day use. This tool works very well for pricking holes in 308 stainless for line up on a drill press, or an ironworker (punch).

I have used both the 18C and the 818 automatic punches and I prefer the 818 in my tool pouch and the 18C on the work bench. The 18C is a workhorse that can be counted on to punch a clear impression on just about any material. Because of the added weight of the 18C, I feel that it provides more comfort in terms of kick-back than the 818 and is better suited to situations where repetitive use is needed. The redesigned tip is an improvement. I had an older one on a previous job that had a screw-in tip that always came loose at the worst time. The tip and shaft form a single unit on this model. The tip can still be replaced if you would rather not resharpen and reharden your old one as it wears down.

This tool is great. Ive used it for everything from marking shipping containers to building engine stands to marking cuts for the band saw on steel, aluminum, stainless, cast, galvy sheet metal, and chineseium. My only complaint is that the case has started to get a rust on it, making it look way older than the year Ive had it for. No averse performance issues though, the striking unit is clean as a whistle. Keep an eye on this piece... Ive found it in other peoples tool boxes on quite a few instances.

I live on the Gulf coast in Texas and everything rusts if you dont keep it indoors or slather it in grease. This punch got left outside for almost two months by accident but NO RUST! Thats a big selling point for me. Punch is adjustable but I like deep divots so always use it at max pressure on steel or aluminum. On aluminum it makes a nice ding. On cold-formed steel like a metal building structure its just making an average ding, which was disappointing to me. Admittedly thats work-hardened steel but I did hope it would make a good deep dent. For mild steel the ding is good enough to center a 1/8 bit with one punch, though I usually double or triple punch everything anyway. On aluminum one punch is plenty. It feels too expensive for the difference in performance compared to the $2 HFT punch, and I still find a solid punch and a hammer does far better. However, its more convenient to use an automatic punch particularly in small spaces, plus I already own it, so Ill keep using it. Would I buy it again? Probably not. For reference, I do a lot of metal work but its all for personal enjoyment and not as a tradesman using it for a living.

I bought one and then used it this weekend. Be sure to disassemble and lubricate first. Then unless you release the spring tension a lot be ready to push real hard. But good dimple.

Starrett tools are made only with the finest of materials, performs everytime as designed, markings are outstanding and second to none. I never loan out tools ever as my Starrett tools will confess.