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

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.

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.

No doubt this is the best auto center punch that I have owned. That is, until it stopped working. Lasted about 3 years, but I use it almost every day. This punch is for metal, not wood people. If you need a punch for wood get a Harbor Freight special. It held up to whatever I used it on - Stainless, Mild Steel, Aluminum, etc. and then one day it would not actuate. Tried everything and couldnt get it working again. Emailed Starrett, warranty on these is only a year from purchase, so I reluctantly sent it back for repair. The cost to repair was about $12 shy of buying a new one. Hate to do it, but like I said - this is the best Ive owned.

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).

Almost gave up on this. The punch arrived a few days ago and I could not get the stroke adjustment to work. Assuming it might be defective I returned it - I was tempted to use a vice and pliers to see if the top would turn but thought this might damage it and a new product shouldnt arrive jammed like this. Sure enough the replacement would not turn eitehr - so into the vice with soft jaws and use and use some tape to protect from the pliers teeth. Didnt take much and now it works! But no way either of them would turn by hand and I tried pretty hard. I guess some bodybuilder works at the factory? Love the tool - well built - its replacing my General Tool punch I left out in the rain by mistake and that was already damaged (tip falling out)

A little bit pricey compared to similar items but it’s true that you get what you pay for even in these modern times - at least sometimes… The thing is a beast I thought I needed the “heavy duty“ model which is the 18C and it turns out that I absolutely did not need the heavy duty model but will be keeping it just because it’s quite the lovely tool to use. I will definitely have to get the 18A to round out the set though. Of course the reason that I was under the impression that I should get the heavy duty model (compared to the 18A which is the lighter duty model of the same design), is because of my past experiences with so-called heavy duty automatic punches… Needless to say, Starrett’s 18C sort of immediately redefined the meaning of heavy duty for me.

This thing is ridiculous. It is by far the biggest and strongest center punch Ive ever used. Its about the same size as the el cheapo center punch from ace hardware, maybe a little bigger, but has a much thicker punch and a far stronger spring. You can partially unscrew the tailcap to have a softer punch and at the softest I can make it without the tailcap popping off, it is still stronger than the el cheapo, plus it works every time as opposed to ~25% of the time. On max strength, it punched itself far enough into wood to lodge itself sideways. It punched a sizeable dent in a solid brass block. It punched a noticeable divot in a hardened steel safety plate designed to stop you from drilling. I considered returning this not because its a poor product but because its too damn powerful and I was gonna buy a smaller one! (I didnt)

Well made, reliable, very strong. With the adjustment nut screwed in fully, it takes a great deal of pressure to pop. Since I keep it in the car to break a window in an emergency, I replaced the spring with a slightly softer one, so it works with less pressure but is still strong. Also it could be used as kubotan if necessary. Tip: If you keep it in the car, or near machinery where there is vibration, the handle may come unscrewed and spray parts hither and thither. So tighten it up securely.

Great for starting holes in the exact spot you want. This bad boy pits a sizeable divot in the metal and there is no bit wondering. Extremely hard to push though on the stiffest setting. The usual Starrett quality youd expect. Im a happy buyer.

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.