Starrett Automatic Center Punch with Hardened Steel Metal - 100mm Length, 11mm Punch Diameter Tapered Point - 18AA

I bought these vs the knock off brands... I heard too many frustrations that the knock offs dont last and they miss punches after a little bit of use. Not sure how to rank that, but this device works as described for the first few months. Still, they are pricey as heck - buy once cry once... Cheap tools are expensive, I tell myself lol...

Read the bad reviews. These things seem to have some manufacturing issues. Specifically, the spring over the point seems a bit weak and the things arrive internally dirty with a poor internal finish on parts that slide. However, its easily repairable and just using the unit to break it in will help a lot. Heres how to get it going again. Unscrew the point end and carefully remove the pin, spring and point. Make sure to notice how things are laid out. Clean each component, remove any debris, clean the threads, Use a good lubricant on everything. I like using a dry Teflon type that wont attract dust and dirt. Next, unscrew the top. Careful as there is a spring in there. Now you have to remove the slid inside the top half. Just push it out the top. I used a can of compressed air to blow it out, but a small paper clip would also work I believe. Clean it and the tube. Q-tips are your friend here. Lubricate as above and reassemble. And use it. Wear it in. Youll have to play with the point end adjustment a little, just unscrew half a turn and put back. Itll get smoother and more reliable. Note that on the point end, the point drops in first, then the pin (flat side toward point) and the spring goes on the pin. The smaller end of the spring goes onto the pin first.

This gets a solid five stars because it really is perfect. The wind up is very, very smooth with a nice and short throw, which helps keep it on the spot while pressing on it. The resulting action is quick, firm, and surprisingly powerful considering how effortless the wind up is. It makes me wonder if they are somehow cheating the conservation of momentum and energy... Oh yeah and the knurling and overall look is second to none. It feels super sweet to hold! Given all of this, plus the fact that it only costs as much as 6 lattes, plus the fact that its still made in the USA, dont even bother to waste your money on a cheaper import (which are only cheaper by about 1/2 as much - were still in the impulse dollars range here folks...).

I wish it was smaller so I could carry in my pocket comfortably. I could not find a smaller version when I ordered, but this one works great.

It is smaller than I expected. It works well but I wish I would have gotten the 18c. It would have been a little bit bigger and punched a little bit harder. All in all a very high-quality product!

After just a few uses, stopped resetting after punch. Springs seemed to be worn even when new. Internal pin seemed to wedge in body. Could be a knock-off and not a real Starett.

This punch is super high quality, I’ve had it a few months and still working great. But I would say it’s not the best for hard metals, which is what I bought it for. If you are using for marking wood & soft metals (aluminum, brass) should be fine but not so much on steel. I would recommend getting the heavy duty version for about $10 more.

It arrived early and workswell. The adjustable punch is great depending on the material youre trying to mark and the size if impression.

This is the second one Ive owned. The first keeps disappearing on me. Now I KNOW where I can find one when I need it. Being Starrett, you know its high quality.

Good for woodworking, even on softer woods. Sometimes takes a couple punches to make the size of hole that I want but given how easy it is to use this isnt really a con, just press up and down a couple times. It works on metal too but obviously if you are primarily doing metal working this probably wont be heavy duty enough.