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

Highest quality item. But a high level of arm strength needed to operate. Perhaps the design needs an enhanced setting mechanism.

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.

Great automatic center punch. Very well made, solid, excellent machining. Made in Murica.

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.

I was hesitant to spend this much money on an automatic center punch, but am glad that I did. This is a very high quality tool that is not only a pleasure to use but should last a lifetime. There are parts (such as the tip and spring) that may need replacing after a lot of use, but as with many quality tools you can buy those parts without having to buy a new tool. I took a star away because I had to use pliers to start the adjustment cap turning and once the cap was broken free hand turning wasnt smooth and even. That was quickly fixed using a small brash brush and air compressor to remove what looked like small metal particles in the threads. Once that was done cap adjustments were smooth and easy. I was also contemplating getting one of their lighter duty punches after reading some of the reviews. Im glad I didnt because this punch is versatile. Unlike some reviews, even at the highest tension setting I had no problem using the punch and the range of adjustments was significant. At the lightest setting I used it on hard wood, plastic and thin steel which made a larger dent than on heavier metal. Unless youre a weakling, this may be the only punch you need.

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).

Love it, very handy,beats a hammer and center punch!

It is good, but we have to exert a much greater push to make a blow with this. But the impact of it’s blow is too higher to make a deep point hole. One this to note is that, there are two springs inside a heavy spring at the back and a light spring at the pointed side. The light spring is narrowing towards one side and widening towards other side which we can put only in one way. The wider part of the little spring must be kept back, if you taken that spring out otherwise it will not work. You can also blow with a hammer at the backside in order to make it to blow, if you are unable to push too much pressure. No problem because it is too hard.

If youre reading this, theres a 95% chance you saw this punch on the Canadian fabricobblers YouTube channel. Like he said, this isnt a necessary tool, but is it ever nice to have. I find that it either takes two strikes with heavy tension to get a good starting mark, or one strike on light tension, followed up with an actual hammer and punch. So, its not a one-hit wonder, but it will definitely let you mark the spot precisely. Its saved me enough time and frustration in the three months Ive owned it that Id say its earned five stars.

I purchased this item to replace the cheap Chinese units that I have been struggling with for years. The punch is heavy in the hand, and works as advertised. It is easy to adjust the force that the punch strikes with simply by turning the knurled handle on the top of the tool. Replacing or re-grinding the point is easily done by unscrewing the lower portion of the punch. The punch leaves nice deep marks without excessive pressure being put on the tool. If you are looking for a quality tool, Starrett is the way to go. One note about the listing, the 18C that you purchase will be the one pictured on the left of the image above. The tip shown on the right side punch is an add on that is not included.