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.

As with anything Starrett, this tool is very well made. They are easy to adjust and has a good various range of pressure.

This center punch makes all the others look cheap. I have a few others that are not nearly as well made. Wobbly punch. Weak spring. This punch is a precision instrument. Twice the price. Worth every penny.

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.

Seems good. Tested on some 6061 aluminum, see video. Someone wrote a review claiming it's made in China. It's hard to tell, but on the packaging there are three countries, USA, Germany, and the UK. I bought this one because the cheap one I bought would misfire about half the time. Max tension I needed to use two hands, but minimum tension one hand is okay. Max tension is when the tail cap is screwed all the way tight. What I am calling minimum tension is when the tail cap is screwed with only 1 to 1.5 turns. The knurling is nice and grippy. It comes well oiled. For now I'll give it 5 stars assuming it doesn't misbehave.

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!

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.

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

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

Produto muito bom, chegou antes do prazo.