Starrett Automatic Center Punch with Hardened Steel Metal - 100mm Length, 11mm Punch Diameter Tapered Point - 18AA

Starrett makes great tools and one of things that Toolmakers and Machinist's the world over revere in addition to that quality; is the boxes that they are packaged in. That's something that Amazon doesn't seem to understand. The bench block that I ordered a while back and now this automatic center punch delivers with a wad of clear tape wrapped around the box instead of using bubble wrap, a rubber band or another box to protect it. I store Starrett tools in their original boxes because it makes storage in my Kennedy Toolbox easier to manage and more organized. Understand that if you order a Starrett tool from Amazon, the box will most likely be a casualty in the process.

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 it's still made in the USA, don't even bother to waste your money on a cheaper import (which are only cheaper by about 1/2 as much - we're still in the "impulse dollars" range here folks...).

Fit and finish is great, but very inconsistent when resetting. When it works, it works really well, but it rarely works. Same issue on 2 in a row. Much better service out of the larger 18-A thus far. I've reached out to Starrett on the issue, so we'll see what I hear back.

Don't buy this expecting to use it on hardened steel for large projects. It's a compact punch for smaller scale, light duty use. It's slightly smaller than a tube of chapstick and 4" long. Works great on aluminum, brass, copper, or soft steel that requires a small, precise dimple for a small diameter hole.If you're needing a punch for a 1/2" drill bit on carbon steel, buy the 18C. It's much larger and has a more robust spring. Both tools are exceptionally well made and Starrett will replace them with no questions asked in the event of failure.

After yet another Harbor Freight punch wore out, I decided to buy a real tool. The Starrett auto punch is definitely well made and feels good to hold, and operates smoothly -- but it doesn't do much. I'm getting just a tiny nick in 24ga steel sheet metal, and not much better in 1/8" aluminum extrusions. This is at the "highest" setting.I guess this punch is only really intended for softer materials, but that wasn't super clear to me in the description. I'm just a "weekend warrior" and not familiar with the intricacies of selecting proper fabrication tools. Evidently I I was also surprised by how small it is...the dimensions are clearly given but I have small hands so figured it wouldn't be an issue. I can hold it fine but it gets lost in the pencil-loop of my toolbelt where I kept my old one -- I have to take off my gloves and poke around in there to fish it out, which isn't much of a time-savings.I'm returning the punch in favor of the full-sized 18C, which apparently is more like what I'm looking for.

I use this metal punch nearly every day as a carpenter. It has worked every time, and has been dropped a lot, amd still works perfectly. If you're looking for a metal punch. Buy this brand.

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 can't 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 is the second punch I've bought in 3 years. It is used in wood maybe 2-3 times a month. It simply stopped making dents. Just like the first one did. I tried to disassemble and make it work . Never get those 30 minutes back!! Went to an 8 dollar general punch, works fine for my needs, last starrett tool I buy.