Starrett Automatic Center Punch with Adjustable Stroke - 125mm Length, 14mm Diameter Tapered Point û 18A

This is a great manufacturer.

This 18A punch is well made. I am primarily a woodworker, and this punch has to be used on the light setting to use on soft wood. I am considering the purchase of the 18AA for soft wood. The 18A works well for soft metals. For steel this punch still left an acceptable indentation. If one wants to use hardened steel the 18C should be considered.

I end up snapping this thing 6-7 times on corrugated 24 gauge metal sheeting on my metal building. It does the job and feels well made, but just wish it had a bit more mass to leave a better impression in the metal.

A good tool brand, works as it should, great for homegamer or a professional.

Whats to say, its a Starrett! Ez to use and powerful when needed. Good stuff!

Just an amazing tool, easy to use and works perfect.

Works as described

Back in the day I was calibrator and used lots of Starrett gear and never realized they made auto punches. I went looking because I lost my Home Depot General punch. I think it cost about 1/8 the price of the this one but damn what a difference. This thing punches like a mule (or maybe it was the 18C)...Does not matter both are awesome! I was almost thought I had received a defective one when it came. For some reason I could not get it to punch on pressing it. Then I pressed harder and still could not get it to go so I took it apart. I think its only 4 parts or something but I found the issue. I figure this one was build on a Friday or just before a holiday because it still had some machining bits inside the mechanism causing it to jam. Shame, shame on QC. No worries though as a quick cleaning and a bit of new lube and it was as good as new...because it was new. I thought this was weird because I had just purchased an 18C and it worked right out of the box. These work so much better than the junk you buy at the Depot or Lowes. This is one of those lifetime tools you can give to your great, great grand kids.

My old automatic center punch failed after more than 30 years. The first one failed to deliver the strike. After returning (waiting a week) the 2nd one appears to work. It is not a smooth as my old one, but it does deliver the automatic strike.

Spot on punch