Automatic Center Punch- Which Brand?

[c_mccann]

Love this site, it is the idea place my checking account didn't want me to find! You guys here have saved many thousands of guys from buying the wrong stuff- really a great wealth here.

I'll start off by admitting my wrenches and ratchets are Craftsman and some Snap On, when you work on boats as a hobby, rusted tools are a fact of life Sears deals with... Makita, Delta, Miller, Rockwell and Amana have all helped prevent retirement as well.

My question- Need a automatic Center Punch. Was gonna buy a General, they are about 15-20 bucks, am I missing out on any features or important stuff here on auto punches?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

They all do the same thing, they all work about the same, General makes decent quality stuff (they are selective about who they contract with or buy from I suppose)

Charles

 

[msnow]

All about the same but I would buy a starrett because that is what I prefer for layout tools.

 

[Monte]

Facom makes a nice one

 

[Davefr]

They all do the same thing, they all work about the same, General makes decent quality stuff (they are selective about who they contract with or buy from I suppose)

Charles

They don't all work the same. You'll end up cursing an automatic center punch that doesn't release correctly. (ex: HF)

I do agree that General and Starrett would be good choices.

 

[DHCrocks]

I used to have a cheapo one from the auto parts store, the kind in the dollar bin and that was a piece of ****. I now use a Starrett and it works good but it seems like the amount of pressure required is too much. I tried backing down the spring all the way but it's still very hard to press, I think I might try cutting the spring. One thing I noticed is that if you try to punch hard metal the tip will eventually wear out. It's a hardened tip so grinding a new point does not hold up, it dulls again quickly. They have replacement tips available but I think they are around 4 bucks.

 

[jride200]

A few things about the Starrett punches... I just went through this and decided, in the end, to buy a Starrett.

Starrett manufactures 4 different automatic center punches, each with different amounts of striking power. I chose the 18B, one of the mid-sized punches. So, no matter how hard or light you need to strike your punch, Starrett should have a punch available to suit your needs.

If you should choose the 18B, as I did, Starrett also a sweet attachment for hole layout. Check it out:

And finally, regarding having to replace the tips, rather than being able to regrind, I just keep a few spares in my toolbox. I'm fairly sure that Starrett will be around for a good while longer and will continue to make the tips. You can even apparently order special tips, with letters, numbers, etc.. How cool is that?

 

[jride200]

Should also mention that the Mac automatic punches kind of intrigue me. These are the types of punches where you pull the spring up, and let go of it. Does anyone have any experience with these? I wouldn't mind getting a set of their spring-type pin punches for knocking out rivets (I'm an A&P student). Anyone have any experience with these punches?

 

[c_mccann]

Looking at a General Tools Model 78 or 79- the 78 is the heavy duty and the 79 is the regular duty one. I use it for holes in steel angle and sheet steel. Do I need the heavy or regular- I am afraid of drift as I have used cheap ones in the past that drift. Thanks!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've had a General punch for 25 years and it's still working fine. Plus you can probably find one at the local True Value hardware store.

 

[DHCrocks]

Should also mention that the Mac automatic punches kind of intrigue me. These are the types of punches where you pull the spring up, and let go of it. Does anyone have any experience with these? I wouldn't mind getting a set of their spring-type pin punches for knocking out rivets (I'm an A&P student). Anyone have any experience with these punches?

the spring type is used more for wood working, it doesn't have a lot of force behind it to make a mark in metal. The other problem is that it might tend to move while you pull the spring back so the mark maybe off.

 

[Merkava_4]

Starrett - look no further.

 

[ricleh]

I've had a General for about 25 years and 2 Starrets that are about 20 years old. All of them work well.

 

[c_mccann]

Thanks for all your input, much appreciated!

 

[wineslob]

Starrett - look no further.

+1

 

[selohssa]

Starrett - look no further.

+2

What ever you do, do not buy the Bluepoint. It is garbage (I was foolish and bought two before I got my Starret).

 

[chad s]

the spring type is used more for wood working, it doesn't have a lot of force behind it to make a mark in metal. The other problem is that it might tend to move while you pull the spring back so the mark maybe off.

In my experience with owning both styles (starrett and General automatics, and Spring Punch brand spring ones), the spring ones have a lot more force than standard automatic center punches.

 

[carbon]

Anyone ever use this Mitutoyo automatic center punch? Or this SK one?

I have a Starrett 18A, and I wish it hit harder..I've got it maxed out. I was thinking of the 18C, or maybe one of the above. Thoughts?

 

[iandh]

As a machinist by trade, I have to say Starrett or bust. Not because of tool snobbery, but because they just keep going and going and going.

Other centerpunches I've purchased start to miss after a while, and just end up ******* you off and wasting your money.

My personal favorite is the 18-A for what I do, although I'd go a little bigger for most general maintenance/shop work.

The larger ones hit VERY hard, in fact some of them at max tension are actually hard to actuate because they are so tightly sprung.

 

[selohssa]

I have always been a big fan of the Starrett. I bought a retired mechs tools last week and it had a General acp. It seems simmilar to the Starrett in size and weight and seems to work very well. Depending on the purchase cost, this may be another option.

 

[caseyjw]

Starrett - look no further.

+3

I've had many different ones... my shop bought a bag of generals and handed them out... they all broke within a couple months... the Starrett is of incredibly high quality and I have since bought their pin punches, tap handles, combo squares, dial calipers... I'm addicted.

 

[nissan_crawler]

First, all the automatic types break. Buy what you can replace easily. Every one of them will eventually crack out around the top threads that the cap screws on. In 7 years, I've killed 5-6 of them, from HF to general, to starrett.

Should also mention that the Mac automatic punches kind of intrigue me. These are the types of punches where you pull the spring up, and let go of it. Does anyone have any experience with these? I wouldn't mind getting a set of their spring-type pin punches for knocking out rivets (I'm an A&P student). Anyone have any experience with these punches?

I don't personally, but lots of guys at work have them and love them.

the spring type is used more for wood working, it doesn't have a lot of force behind it to make a mark in metal. The other problem is that it might tend to move while you pull the spring back so the mark maybe off.

The hell they don't. You can damn near drive them through a piece of aluminum.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Has anyone here used a Rennsteig auto centre punch?

 

[Teken]

Can someone clarify one of the other members comments about the different types. Either you have a spring loaded punch, or a impact punch which requires the user to have a hammer, mallet, what have you to strike the tool to make a mark.

Is there another kind I am not aware of? Is there a piston style which is gas charged I am not aware of?

Insight . . .

 

[jride200]

Can someone clarify one of the other members comments about the different types.

Traditional center punches have no moving parts and must be struck by a hammer in order to leave a mark.

Two different types of "automatic" center punches...

Most require the operator to depress the punch (compressing the internal spring) until it releases, which snaps the tip down, leaving a mark. This is how General, Starrett, and many others function.

Mac (and I'm sure a few other companies) has another style of automatic punch. In this case, both ends of the punch are attached to the same coil spring. The user places the tip where desired, and the end is drawn back, and then released, leaving a mark.

 

[jride200]

Does anyone know the COO of Mac automatic punches? Recently placed a Mac student order, and was rather disappointed with how much asian product I received. I actually sent most of it back, except a few pairs of "mac" knipex pliers, which aren't really Mac anyway...

 

[Teken]

Traditional center punches have no moving parts and must be struck by a hammer in order to leave a mark.

Two different types of "automatic" center punches...

Most require the operator to depress the punch (compressing the internal spring) until it releases, which snaps the tip down, leaving a mark. This is how General, Starrett, and many others function.

Mac (and I'm sure a few other companies) has another style of automatic punch. In this case, both ends of the punch are attached to the same coil spring. The user places the tip where desired, and the end is drawn back, and then released, leaving a mark.

OK, so there is only two type as indicated previously by me. One being a strike impact, and the other being the spring loaded.

I thought there was another style being referenced here so this is why I asked because I have never laid eyes on any other . . .

 

[cnc-me]

Starrett, half a dozen replacement points, and 15 years and still works like new.

 

[e3pres]

I used to have a cheapo one from the auto parts store, the kind in the dollar bin and that was a piece of ****. I now use a Starrett and it works good but it seems like the amount of pressure required is too much. I tried backing down the spring all the way but it's still very hard to press, I think I might try cutting the spring. One thing I noticed is that if you try to punch hard metal the tip will eventually wear out. It's a hardened tip so grinding a new point does not hold up, it dulls again quickly. They have replacement tips available but I think they are around 4 bucks.

Don't cut the spring. Cutting it raises the rate!

 

[hevnbnd]

Facom makes a nice one

Thanks for all the info guys. Ordered one of the above and a bunch of Starrett punches. Will post back when I get them all in my review of which is nicer. They all said special order so we will see how long it takes...

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've got an old Starrett that was Grandpa's from back in the day and 4 or 5 HF cheapos. I'd hate to lose the Starrett, so I keep it at the house and use the HF's for day to day stuff.

 

[sonnyboy]

I've went through several cheapo auto center punches over the years. I got tired of all the missed punches from them and needing to double punch, so I finnally bought a Starrett about a year ago. No complaints yet, other than I wish I'd have bought it years ago.

 

[JeremyManning]

starrett

 

[ecotec]

i am using a general. it makes a pretty wimpy mark. i am planning on upgrading to a starrett 18C.

 

[Biomed]

As a machinist by trade, I have to say Starrett or bust. Not because of tool snobbery, but because they just keep going and going and going.

Other centerpunches I've purchased start to miss after a while, and just end up ******* you off and wasting your money.

My personal favorite is the 18-A for what I do, although I'd go a little bigger for most general maintenance/shop work.

The larger ones hit VERY hard, in fact some of them at max tension are actually hard to actuate because they are so tightly sprung.

I've got a General #77 that is about 25 years old. It's starting to miss and as iandh stated is starting to "piss you off". Since it is so old and General does not seem to offer parts or repair I will probably just get a Starrett 18A.

 

[YellowLakeWelding]

Blue Point for me, they replace the tips free of charge and it's completely covered by warranty so if the springs fail or get weak they give me a new one. Besides the tool truck comes each week to the front door so that convenience is nice.

 

[Lotek]

I have a General somewhere in my toolbox, but for my purposes, the spring punches work better. I got a set with several style tips, rounded the chisel tip for staking ignition cylinders, one with a thin tip is good for driving the centers out of window regulator rivets before drilling out the rivet. One nice thing, is that you can punch the same spot repeatedly as long as you hold the tip steady on the mark, the other style tends to jump off the mark. And you can punch holes in aluminum and thin steel sheet.

 

[american lockpicker]

Lisle.

 

[JML2]

Old thread, but the Starrett 18A and the USA-made versions of the General look to be made by the same manufacturer (i.e., Starrett). Not the cheapened China-made General versions, but the NOS old ones (if you have one or can find one). The new General punches are of far lower quality than the old ones.

The older versions of the steel body Starrett 18A, 18AA, and 18B have small threaded tips. Those have been replaced by newer tips that are one-piece, and presumably stronger. I'm not sure about any older version of the aluminum body 818.

Replacement tips are about $6 each. Although some are available online, you can order directly from Starrett.

And if you want to make the adjustment on any of these easier and smoother, use a couple of diamond-dust bits in a Dremel to smooth out the end of the spring so it doesn't grab when you twist the barrel of the punch, and add some high-quality grease or bearing lube at each end of the spring.

 

[Griff93]

the spring type is used more for wood working, it doesn't have a lot of force behind it to make a mark in metal. The other problem is that it might tend to move while you pull the spring back so the mark maybe off.

I don't know whose spring style punches you have tried out but the Mac ones pack a lot stronger punch than any other automatic center punch I've used. My favorite is the Starrett. It seems to work the best. My General isn't to bad either. I'd say General if you're on a budget and Starrett if you want a really really nice one.