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.

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.

I have used both the 18C and the 818 automatic punches and I prefer the 818 in my tool pouch and the 18C on the work bench. The 18C is a workhorse that can be counted on to punch a clear impression on just about any material. Because of the added weight of the 18C, I feel that it provides more comfort in terms of kick-back than the 818 and is better suited to situations where repetitive use is needed. The redesigned tip is an improvement. I had an older one on a previous job that had a screw-in tip that always came loose at the worst time. The tip and shaft form a single unit on this model. The tip can still be replaced if you would rather not resharpen and reharden your old one as it wears down.

I always used a punch and hammer togeather. Now I am able to mark holes more quickly one handed which is especially nice when I need to drill several holes. Realizing that took away overspending concerns especially since Starrett makes high quality tools. I read some comments about the tool not resetting. I am not sure if it was the same issue I noticed but the tool would fail to reset after multiple punches. After some thought a Duh moment arrived and with it realizing I was not lifting the tool up fully from the stock after it clicked. Perhaps it has something to do with getting broken in. Since then the issue went away. The only other smidgeon of an issue is the black paint job on a small tool which can make for tedious searching. Next hardware order will include some bright color spray paint.

I figured out that to get the punch to reset after each punch, the rear cap had to be unscrewed almost all the way off. (Yes, Im working with steel.) I currently have the cap taped to the body of the tool so its position doesnt change. The video didnt help. My 20 year old tool started not resetting, which is why I bought a new one. If you fiddle around with the tip after each punch, it sometimes resets. I expected a better tool for the price.

When it comes to this Starrett center punch, it is definitely buy once cry once. After many years using cheap Chinese punches, that I would give up on. I decided to make the purchase. And boy an I glad I did. The quality of this is amazing, you just feel it. It marks steel as deep as a hand punch and hammer. It is adjustable as well, for thinner material and wood. The nurling is excellent for grip. Overall just a great punch that my son will inherit.

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

Starrett is one of the great names in American precision measuring and tooling products, and this Automatic Center Punch is no exception. A few years ago, they changed the design of the center punches where the shank and the tip are unitized, meaning you have many more opportunities to sharpen the tip before you require a replacement. Its not as elegant as the original design, but it is more robust, and has one less part to worry about(the replaceable tip) I now have the 18C, and have the original 18A and 18AA. This is by far the heaviest duty unit of the three, and will likely get the most use. It is adjustable, however, even the lightest setting is still quite hard, so if you are working with soft metals or thin gauge stock, you will likely want to use the 18A or 18AA. This one is perfect for my use, and I will now be selling off my General automatic center punch, which takes significantly more pressure to activate and doesnt hit nearly as hard.

I use it at work

I have only used this punch on mild steel and within two months the point has become very dull. I suspect a hardening issue. Not what I thought I was getting when I bought a Starrett. Otherwise it seems nice.