Best automatic center punch?

[tarbellb]

Ive been on a quest to find a great auto center punch.

I primarily work with mild steel, but find myself working aluminum, stainless, and other metals. Nothing to exotic, and some woods.
On a heavy fab day I can center punch 100+ times easy. So finding a good, reliable, durable, and strong enough punch has been tough.

(I have cleaned, lubed, and rebuilt all of these correctly with little to no change btw)


What I have used-

Lisle USA made red aluminum has been my go to for several years.

Pro- good enough punch strength, easy to see, durable
Con- misses like 25% of the time, my other one is worse at 75%... oh and hurts the hand w/ knurled small end.

Vintage Brown&Sharpe 771

Pro- looks cool, thats about it
Con- doesnt punch, and when it does its weeeeeeak.

Vintage Machine Company

Pro- hits like Mike Tyson, beautiful, well built
Con- I can find a damn replacement tip!! or even much info about it (help?)

Starrett 18A or AA? not sure which?
Pro- again, beautiful, well built
Con- a bit anemic, barely marking mild steel

Other cheap knock-off brands

Ive considered getting a Starrett 18C which is supposed to be a "heavy duty" model, but after reading some reviews I am worried about spending $50-60 on a feather weight?

Suggestions? Ive looked at the Rennstig and Beta, look very nice but want feedback before pulling that trigger as well.


Top to bottom-
Mach Co (cant find a tip!),
2x Lisle (one doesnt work),
B&S (weak)

 

[Wamsutta]

Starrett 18C is no featherweight; it hits hard.

 

[RoyArms]

Starret 18C, it's adjustable from almost too hard to push and leaves a crater. I adjust it down a bit and it leaves a good size mark and not nearly as hard to push down.

 

[Htscheg]

Starrett 18C is no featherweight; it hits hard.

Have to second this one. have used mine for about 20 years now

 

[shteii01]

Starrett 18C is no featherweight; it hits hard.

I support this message.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have the Starrett 18C as well. It hits very hard. I have 2, and am considering buying a third.

 

[Scenicruiser]

The lisle worked pretty well for me in the past, but I think I'm gonna buy both of the starretts. I need the smaller one to punch tile for drilling. Does the small starrett hit a lot harder than the lisle?

 

[RoyArms]

The lisle worked pretty well for me in the past, but I think I'm gonna buy both of the starretts. I need the smaller one to punch tile for drilling. Does the small starrett hit a lot harder than the lisle?

The small one is also adjustable, I'd turn it way down and work up to prevent cracking tile. On it's hardest setting I think it is a little lighter than the big box store variety like the empire one or harbor freight. It might only feel like that though because it is so much smoother.



Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[PT Doc]

The 18c is awesome. Especially if you can get it a new one for $26 on flea bay. Starrett quality is excellent and even better if the price is stupid good.

 

[Kaane]

I love my Rennsteig center punch, its awesome!

 

[mrborohachi]

Where can one buy just the tips? I'm in the same boat. I've found old USA made auto center punches but no tips.

 

[PT Doc]

Where can one buy just the tips? I'm in the same boat. I've found old USA made auto center punches but no tips.

If it is starrett then a starrett dealer or send it in to them and they will sort it out. If not starrett then contact the company. The innards and not likely interchangeable between brands.

 

[d.mcfarland]

How do any of the ones on this list compare to say the Tekton or Harbor Freight offerings? I'm sure they are sold under many different brands.

I've used those, and the only comparison I have is the ol' by hand method.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Starett. I've got an 18A off my local tool store and it is a joy to use thigh I probably should have gotten the 18C for a bigger dimple on mild steel. For replacement tips and demonstrations, go find a dealer.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Agree with this

Me too. Thing's a beast. Nothing lightweight about it.

 

[mikebaker1129]

You can buy replacement tips for the Lisle sold as Bluepoint on the Snap on truck.

 

[tarbellb]

I figured Starrett knew what they were doing with the 18C, thanks for confirming that it would perform.

Ordered the 18C for $38 shipped off Ebay. Im so over not having a quality punch.
------

Well bonus points for anybody with info on this Machine Product Company aka Mach Prod Co auto punch that I have. It looks and feels every bit as good as the B&S and Starretts.

It has a larger diameter tip ~3/16" and maybe a 5/32" thread?

I love my Rennsteig center punch, its awesome!

Good to hear, have you used any others to compare it against? Does it ever miss? Looks comfy, and wont lose it on the table with the clown nose...

 

[PT Doc]

I figured Starrett knew what they were doing with the 18C, thanks for confirming that it would perform.

Ordered the 18C for $38 shipped off Ebay. Im so over not having a quality punch.
------

Well bonus points for anybody with info on this Machine Product Company aka Mach Prod Co auto punch that I have. It looks and feels every bit as good as the B&S and Starretts.

It has a larger diameter tip ~3/16" and maybe a 5/32" thread?




Good to hear, have you used any others to compare it against? Does it ever miss? Looks comfy, and wont lose it on the table with the clown nose...

Buying cheap tools ends up costing us in then end with unnecessary frustration and then we buy the better tool anyway. Now ou can give the less than ideal one to a friend.

 

[Wamsutta]

Where can one buy just the tips? I'm in the same boat. I've found old USA made auto center punches but no tips.

I need to remember to call up Starrett. I've got an 18A and an 18C that need tips.

 

[JMQ4]

I have the red lisle, have had it for some time, but it’s always the one I look for when I need one.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I have just the cheapo HF or PO works ok but the tip gets dull. I seen one a while back that had a big ball on the end the size of maybe a golf ball or smaller. I wish I knew what kind it was Id get me one of those. Figured it would be good to push on. BCD

 

[tarbellb]

I have just the cheapo HF or PO works ok but the tip gets dull. I seen one a while back that had a big ball on the end the size of maybe a golf ball or smaller. I wish I knew what kind it was Id get me one of those. Figured it would be good to push on. BCD

Neiko on Amazon is the generic big red ball version of the Rennsteig.

Neiko $10 china
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DXYOLC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Rennsteig $30ish germany
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KYQSYDU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Threadkiller]

Does anyone know the difference between the 18AA, 18A and 18C?

 

[dr_clyde]

Does anyone know the difference between the 18AA, 18A and 18C?

Size, i believe

 

[tarbellb]

I also was trying to figure out how they compared?

Never found a chart or ? describing which hits harder? Just vague info from Starretts own site and some random stuff.

Anybody able to give a definitive breakdown on Starretts auto punches?

There are also 818 and 717, which might be older models?

 

[Wamsutta]

Does anyone know the difference between the 18AA, 18A and 18C?

The tip size and the power in the punch.

 

[225]

Tekton?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I also was trying to figure out how they compared?

Never found a chart or ? describing which hits harder? Just vague info from Starretts own site and some random stuff.

Anybody able to give a definitive breakdown on Starretts auto punches?

There are also 818 and 717, which might be older models?

The 18 series are all the same style. 18AA is the smallest, 18A is medium, and 18C is heavy duty. The bigger the unit, the harder the hit. They're all adjustable.

The 818 is just like the 18C, but in a lightweight aluminum housing. The 717 is not a punch, but an electronic gauge amplifier.

 

[tym]

I have a Starrett 18C and can also confirm that it can leave quite the mark at hit's highest setting. It's a solid, well-made tool that will likely outlast me. Agree with what others have said that they do appear on eBay for $30-$35 from time to time, so keep your eyes peeled.

 

[mpkewley]

I just bought a couple of the Rennsteig CP's on Amazon, they are great, highly recommend just pay attention to the listed ranges to get the best one for your application.

 

[tarbellb]

The tip size and the power in the punch.

Obivously, but how is it actually rated and which one hits harder... none of this is covered in Starretts website. (answered below by L.Cheapo)

The 18 series are all the same style. 18AA is the smallest, 18A is medium, and 18C is heavy duty. The bigger the unit, the harder the hit. They're all adjustable.

The 818 is just like the 18C, but in a lightweight aluminum housing. The 717 is not a punch, but an electronic gauge amplifier.

Thanks, I tried to find this info but that alpha numeric system can be easily misread, who knew a AA rating was lighter then a C, or a AA is less powerful then a A?

I have a Starrett 18C and can also confirm that it can leave quite the mark at hit's highest setting. It's a solid, well-made tool that will likely outlast me. Agree with what others have said that they do appear on eBay for $30-$35 from time to time, so keep your eyes peeled.

Totally agree now that I have one

I just bought a couple of the Rennsteig CP's on Amazon, they are great, highly recommend just pay attention to the listed ranges to get the best one for your application.

I was super close to ordering one of these, I like that they actually give a impact rating that makes sense. Thanks for the reply, im all stocked up for the next 10yrs but they are on the short list.

 

[tarbellb]

I appreciate all the replies, I ended up buying both a Starrett 18C which is the heaviest hitting of the line, and a Fowler 75-500-290 punch.

Starrett (added orange for visibility) is absolutely a beautiful piece of machining, everything is tight, clean, and well made. Hits very hard, even on the lightest setting. Worth every bit of $35 I paid. Made in USA.

Fowler is a quality piece as well, just not to the same level as the Starrett. Hits just as hard and will also give me a lifetime of service I am sure. Paid $24 happily. Also made in Japan.

Both use a nice heavy single piece for a the tip vs a screw-in replaceable tip. The screw-in tips are prone to getting loose then mashing the threads when punching.

Best part is both these tips fit my old Machine Product Company punch that may be my favorite...

Wamsutta I will start looking for replacement tips for the 18C.

Tip difference between Fowler (left) vs Starrett (right)

Made a wall mount out of PVC and found a nice rubber cap for comfy punching.