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

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.

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.

Well made but very expensive. Durability can only be gauged after extensive use.

As stated in the title, I run a metalfab shop. I use this nearly every day, and have punched what must be hundreds of centers in mild steel with this. Its still sharp and working like the day I pulled it from the box for the first time. Having it be adjustable is nice too, when using it on softer/thinner materials or for smaller holes, where more force or larger centers arent necessarily a good thing. Ive learned to love this center punch, highly recommend it, and will be a repeat customer.

I live on the Gulf coast in Texas and everything rusts if you dont keep it indoors or slather it in grease. This punch got left outside for almost two months by accident but NO RUST! Thats a big selling point for me. Punch is adjustable but I like deep divots so always use it at max pressure on steel or aluminum. On aluminum it makes a nice ding. On cold-formed steel like a metal building structure its just making an average ding, which was disappointing to me. Admittedly thats work-hardened steel but I did hope it would make a good deep dent. For mild steel the ding is good enough to center a 1/8 bit with one punch, though I usually double or triple punch everything anyway. On aluminum one punch is plenty. It feels too expensive for the difference in performance compared to the $2 HFT punch, and I still find a solid punch and a hammer does far better. However, its more convenient to use an automatic punch particularly in small spaces, plus I already own it, so Ill keep using it. Would I buy it again? Probably not. For reference, I do a lot of metal work but its all for personal enjoyment and not as a tradesman using it for a living.

This is my first automatic punch I have ever owned. So, in all fairness I dont have anything to compare it to. I read the reviews by others and decided to pay more up front and get quality made in USA product. I made a few test punches with it and I am happy with the performance. It works every time and it makes a dimple of adequate depth to keep the drill bit from wandering. This thing is solid. Durability will be tested over time, but I have no reservations about it. It will outlast me for sure.

I bought one and then used it this weekend. Be sure to disassemble and lubricate first. Then unless you release the spring tension a lot be ready to push real hard. But good dimple.

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

Any Starrett products are world class in there market they do command a high price but never fall short in performance and quality. This center punch is a perfect example of just that, just holding it you are sure of its quality. For use in wood or Soft material You could get away with a lighter duty Starrett automatic center punch. But in metal hard or soft one crack of this punch in the shop And the heads will turn. Often imitated but never duplicated, OK Starrett send me some free tools for this great review....Well it’s worth a try.

This is for the person who cares about quality more than how much it cost. It is worth every penny.