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...

Was too weak to produce a dimple in the metal sheet I wanted to drill.

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!

I had to return this for a replacement. Half the time, the spring would not rest after triggering. The replacement (same make/model) is great -- heavy, precise, and reliable.

Works well but is a bit finicky to get reset for next punch. Appears well made and easy to disassemble / replace the tip.

Took me a while to decide to spend the money for this center punch. It is a lot more expensive than the cheap Chinese products sold under different brand names. I cant compare this Starrett to the other products since I only have this one. The Starrett seems to be of the high quality expected from this brand - and the price tag. It malfunctioned a couple of times at the beginning but probably due to some burrs left from the manufacturing process. It works well now, did not have any more issues.

This, the 18AA is a little brother to the 18A. Keep in mind that the 18AA has no replaceable tips which can be a good thing as its more rugged. I use auto center punches for aviation rivet removal so they are heavily abused. Starrett auto center punches have never misfired even once for me. Bypass the red punches from the tool truck they are junk compared to a Starrett!

It seems to catch and not punch sometimes but removing it and resetting the punch mechanism it hasnt completely failed yet.

Product quickly arrived as promised. This small punch makes a tiiiiiny indention, enough for a drillbit to lead. I do wish was more potent and made a larger indention in sheet metal.

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...).