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

This model is Starrett's heaviest duty automatic center punch. I use this routinely with metal exclusively and it alway makes a nice punch. Better still the tip is of such quality that it is still in perfect shape though I will note Starrett does actually offer replacement tips. If you're working with wood or plastic even though it is somewhat adjustable the spring is probably a bit too heavy but for metal it does a great job.

Fantastic center punch. Extremely powerful spring, so much so that in some tight areas I can't get it to pop. The design is very robust and indicates that it is a quality tool of considerable durability.

I just want to say i have had many different brands of center punches throughout the years Harbor freight, neiko, mayhew, amazon/ebay no name brands. They have all had certain things i didnt like, some broke, some slipped, some bent, some dulled. I knew about the starrett, but the price was just more than i was willing to pay. The irony is i should have just bought this one and saved myself money from all the others. This is one of those rare buy once cry once, pass on to your grandchildren quality tools. I work in the trades. My tools get used. I learn very quickly what is good and what isint. This is a quality tool. The weight is right. The size is right . The knurling for the grip is grippy and aggressive without being too much. Its simple and strong. The threading of parts are clean and tight. The punch requires some pressure to activate but hits hard and makes a usable divot for your drill bit. I believe in it so much i got one for work and when i used it i immediately bought another one for home. I dont think i can come up with anything negative. Other than the sticker shock. But i promise you. Once you buy this one you wont be needing/wanting a different one. Other than maybe more.

I have used automatic center punches quite extensively for metal work when fabricating industrial control panels. They are a vital tool to drilling precise holes in metal and they offer the convenience of not having to use a hammer. I purchased this starrett punch because of the quality of their other tools and because I have used cheaper ones that would take multiple blows to create a small dent because they just do not have the striking power needed. I also know that when it comes to tools the best ones are a joy to use and the cheap ones will only make you wish you just paid the money and got the best one to start with. I was unsure of which one to order because I could not find any information online comparing the AA, A and C sizes, I ended up purchasing the 18C because it was listed as heavy duty and I figured I could turn down the striking power but if it was not enough on the smaller ones you cannot turn it up. I think for most people's uses the 18A would be the most ideal size and power. The punch showed up in perfect condition, when held in the hand it does display true craftsmanship and quality which is so hard to find these days. The tip is not quite as sharp as I would have liked for those jobs where you want absolute precision, clearly it is made for heavier duty work than the other punches I have used in the past, and when the spring is turned to its maximum power it does take quite a bit of force to depress and strike a blow but you can be sure that one is enough. I would be mindful that when turned all the way up if you were to push down at any sort of angle you would risk the tip slipping and just putting a huge gouge in your work but sometimes you need that sort of power. When turned down however it delivers a much lighter blow that is even useful for wood, albeit maybe not something like balsam. The machining and quality of this tool is as I said top notch. Yes you can get a punch for just a few dollars that might work just fine but you invest in a tool like this and it will last a lifetime. It is also very easy to take apart to clean or lube if you ever need to. Very pleased with this tool and I wish I could afford to outfit my entire toolbox with tools of this quality.

Great center punch. Makes layout easier.

looks legit compared to starett website. it came sealed in what seems to original packaging from starett. i tried the auto punch mechanism and it does not seem to work on uhmw. however definitely left an impression in uhmwpe sheet that could be used to start a small drill bit. it seems well machined and has some weight to it vs import cheap ones. i suspect its a factory second but definitely worth the price compared to staretts mind bogleing price on their website. will likely teardown clean old oil out and reassemble. i need to read manual to understand mechanism and proper adjustment for divot depth. after all its a starett tool right?!??! these last and work forever!

Beefy punch. Makes marks very well. Will rust on if you keep it in your pocket. Has a tendency to come apart in your pocket but its easy to screw back together

This is the best center punch I have ever used. And I’ve been on a quest since I once used one made here in Rhode Island by a company I forget the name. But it was like Smith and Something Co. This is the most powerful punch. Hardly ever fails. On its highest setting it is even hard to push it to trigger. But it’s completely adjustable. I even use it to test old metal panels on the car restorations I do. I highly recommend buying it people. It is well worth the extra $10-15 for something so well made and reliable. I have two others collecting dust now. A Lisle and a General tools one. They were both weak and so unreliable.

Ok

Muy buen granete automático de muy buena calidad y funciona perfectamente, marca en acero duro sin problema y la punta aguanta bien. Por si a alguien le interesa o le pasa lo que a mí os digo que el mío bino mal montado me refiero al muelle con lo cual no cargaba y por lo tanto no daba el golpe para marcar pero es tan simple como dar la vuelta al muelle y ya no falla ni una vez.

The Starrett 18c is a decent punch for steel and most other metals. The finishing of the tool is very nice, and the design and craft making it shows by the look and feel of the tool. In my country these usually sell for 80 Euro at local dealers because its a specialty tool that they don't sell often.

I am super happy with this product. Solid and sturdy. I have been using it for a few weeks and did not have any issues yet. The heaviest use was for a project where I had to do punches for 170 holes. It worked great. My only remark is that the spring mechanism seems quite hard and you need to put quite some pressure to get the automatic punch. But I understand that it is supposed to be like this. I used gloves, took some breaks and finished my project.

Excelente producto y herramienta la uso en metales duros blandos aluminio hasta en la paredes de concreto y marca muy bien el punto y la punta no se deforma