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

Very well made and at a fair price.

The day I received my 18C from Amazon, I tried using it on some suitable aluminum stock, to get familiar with it and see how its adjustment works. For a while, I couldnt get it to fire at all, even though I was adjusting it correctly: I turned the end cap so the spring nearest the user would be compressed less. Finally, I loosened the threaded sleeve near the tip, even though I figured that that sleeve isnt there for any adjustment purpose (I found out later I was right). After loosening the sleeve near the tip a bit, I could get it to fire about 50% of the time. I wanted to see whether, in fact, the only adjustment on the tool is performed by turning the end cap; so I looked on the Starrett website for an instruction manual. (As other reviewers have pointed out, none of the Starrett automatic center punches come with any instructions, probably because the company believes that anyone who buys a Starrett tool must already know what hes doing.) There is no instruction manual available on the Starrett website either. I called Starrett using the toll-free phone number on the website. The nice tech support person I talked with told me: Yes, the only adjustment on the tool is via the end cap, and the threaded sleeve near the tip should not be loose prior to using the tool. I explained that I could only get the punch to fire if I slightly loosened the threaded sleeve near the tip; even though I had loosened the end cap quite a bit. I also said that even after I did those 2 things, the punch would only fire about half the time; based on at least 50 attempts. I asked the Starrett tech support person whether I might have a defective item. He said I might have, and I should probably exchange it for a different example. Im kind of disappointed. This is the first Starrett tool Ive ever purchased, and it took me a while to talk myself into paying what I did for it. (By the way, I think Amazons price is very good: as I recall, its the lowest I saw, and of course shipping is free for an Amazon Prime member.) I may purchase a Starrett 18A, which is also a current Starrett product. The length of that unit is 4.85 in, according to the drawing I downloaded from the Starrett website; its largest diameter is slightly less than that of the 18C; and according to the website, the spring near the end cap has a smaller diameter than the one in the 18C. So the 18A should apply less force to the material than the 18C. That would be fine with me. I think the 18C would apply too much force for most of the work I do. Strangely, I see that if I purchase a Starrett 18A on Amazon, it would be through an Amazon reseller, so I would have to pay a shipping fee. If I do purchase another Starrett automatic center punch, Ill cross my fingers and hope that I dont get another defective example. By the way, 18C that I received is beautifully machined and seems to be well designed. I even took it apart, and I dont see anything wrong with it. Given all that, Im very surprised that I can only get it to fire about 50% of the time.

This thing is a beast. Against my better judgement, Ive used a pos $3 HF and $10 General for years. For the cost, those are great but they just dont have that feel you get from a quality tool. This, is that tool. I wasnt sure if it was more than I needed based on other reviews and yes, it will punch a hole into the thickest of metal but Ive loved it since the first use. I now walk across the shop (passing the other punches) to use this one. Maybe its bc I paid $50 for it but either way, I like it and will buy at least one more for the shop. Its Starrett, you cant go wrong.

This thing put a nice notch in hardened steel pipe with 0 trouble whatsoever. It will mark whatever you need it to mark. Its strong and clearly well made. Great investment.

This is my first automatic punch I have ever owned. So, in all fairness I dont have anything to compare it to. I read the reviews by others and decided to pay more up front and get quality made in USA product. I made a few test punches with it and I am happy with the performance. It works every time and it makes a dimple of adequate depth to keep the drill bit from wandering. This thing is solid. Durability will be tested over time, but I have no reservations about it. It will outlast me for sure.

Been using these punches for decades at work. Needed some better punches at home so I went straight for these. Expensive compared the Chinese alternatives but there really is no comparison. If you appreciate nice tools and need a power punch, look no further.

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

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.

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.

Great punch and heavy duty. I use it to punch steel mostly, but also for aluminum surfaces. One punch is all you need for aluminum, but for steel, a few punches work best depending on your pilot hole size. My only complaint is that it doesnt fire sometimes, and you need to let it go and try again until it does.