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

I bought one of these over thirty five years ago but i thought i lost it so i bought this one it looks exactly like my first one except for a little strip of knurling about a half inch from the point outside of that they are exactly the same and before this one arrived i found my old one just the name starrett stands for high quality and durability because of that i now have two of them they are made in the U.S.A because of that and the name you just cant go wrong i would definitely recommend this tool to everyone fast shipping and high quality you cant go wrong.

Well made, reliable, very strong. With the adjustment nut screwed in fully, it takes a great deal of pressure to pop. Since I keep it in the car to break a window in an emergency, I replaced the spring with a slightly softer one, so it works with less pressure but is still strong. Also it could be used as kubotan if necessary. Tip: If you keep it in the car, or near machinery where there is vibration, the handle may come unscrewed and spray parts hither and thither. So tighten it up securely.

I thought I had a need, but didnt and was too lazy to return. It seems really expensive, I wish it was about 15 cheaper but it is high quality I look forward to having a need.

Starrett tools are made only with the finest of materials, performs everytime as designed, markings are outstanding and second to none. I never loan out tools ever as my Starrett tools will confess.

Finally broke down and bought this one after trying the spring tools punch and the general tools 79. The spring tools punch the spring eventually broke, snapped and hit my finger. The general tools 79 I still use for wood. Only issue I have had when I have it a heavy tension and I am odd angle cannot easily depress it but that is ok.

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

I needed a second one of these and am not sure why I decided to buy this relatively expensive tool. My first was much cheaper. Not that I have used the Starrett, I realize that the shape of this one is just better. I am not sure why, but its easier to place it where I want. It adjusts the impact more easily as well. And it just looks good.

Almost gave up on this. The punch arrived a few days ago and I could not get the stroke adjustment to work. Assuming it might be defective I returned it - I was tempted to use a vice and pliers to see if the top would turn but thought this might damage it and a new product shouldnt arrive jammed like this. Sure enough the replacement would not turn eitehr - so into the vice with soft jaws and use and use some tape to protect from the pliers teeth. Didnt take much and now it works! But no way either of them would turn by hand and I tried pretty hard. I guess some bodybuilder works at the factory? Love the tool - well built - its replacing my General Tool punch I left out in the rain by mistake and that was already damaged (tip falling out)

If youre reading this, theres a 95% chance you saw this punch on the Canadian fabricobblers YouTube channel. Like he said, this isnt a necessary tool, but is it ever nice to have. I find that it either takes two strikes with heavy tension to get a good starting mark, or one strike on light tension, followed up with an actual hammer and punch. So, its not a one-hit wonder, but it will definitely let you mark the spot precisely. Its saved me enough time and frustration in the three months Ive owned it that Id say its earned five stars.

This is the best spring loaded center punch that I have used, but (for complete disclosure) I havent used a lot of them. I experienced a tiny bit of jump on the accuracy (which is why I rated the accuracy a 4 - if they offered a 4.5, I would have selected that). Looks and feels solid, very easy to adjust and use. So much so that I bought the 18A as well. So far, I would buy again.