Center Punch Recommendations

[joe_pinehill1]

Between the Huskey at HD for $15, the General Tools at Lowes for $10, and the HF for $4,
any recommendations? I dont mind paying $15 if the value is better than the others.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6-in-Automatic-Center-Punch-70079H/206007134

https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools-Instruments-Automatic-Center-Punch/1053205

 

[crazyjim30]

At least 10 years ago, I bought a General center punch. It was one of the worst tools I've ever bought. The point was bent right out of the package. Returned it for a replacement, and the "chrome" on the replacement delaminated within six months.
Buy a Starrett. Buy once, cry once. Sure, it's 40-50 bucks, but your grandkids will be using it 50 years from now.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[joe_pinehill1]

thanks, I'll try the Huskey, I can't justify the Starrett as a home DIYer. I can always return and upgrade if its bad.

 

[Farmall450]

Mayhew, Wilde, Western Forge, and some Dasco pro are all good US options.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Home Depot has Mayhew...just get that

 

[tym]

Home Depot has Mayhew...just get that

I'd second this; the HD Mayhew is pretty inexpensive too.

I've tried Dasco punches; they're a good example of crappy Made in USA tools (very soft steel).

 

[Tinner]

Here's what you want. Top quality, I have several. As good as any made by anyone.

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J417-16S2-Center-16-Inch/dp/B00BMJNGS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514756591&sr=8-1&keywords=proto+s2+center+punch&tag=wgi0f5-20

The ones you mentioned and Dasco are all junk.

OK, i see you're looking for an automatic. Get a Starrett. I know that's not what you want to hear.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Between the Huskey at HD for $15, the General Tools at Lowes for $10, and the HF for $4,
any recommendations? I dont mind paying $15 if the value is better than the others.

At least 10 years ago, I bought a General center punch. It was one of the worst tools I've ever bought. The point was bent right out of the package. Returned it for a replacement, and the "chrome" on the replacement delaminated within six months.
Buy a Starrett. Buy once, cry once. Sure, it's 40-50 bucks, but your grandkids will be using it 50 years from now.

thanks, I'll try the Huskey, I can't justify the Starrett as a home DIYer. I can always return and upgrade if its bad.

WTF??

Asks for suggestions then doesn't even wait 30 mins and already has mind made up.

Go ahead ... buy the Husky (not Huskey) and regret it after the first time using it. Or pick up the Mayhew right beside it on the shelf and be at least a little more pleased.

With that said I have a Tekton automatic center punch for like $5 off of Amazon that works perfectly ok and if it has a problem a simple call or email will get the problem fixed. Great customer service from them.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can't justify the Starrett as a home DIYer.

I sure can! I won't use anything else. They're excellent punches.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I sure can! I won't use anything else. They're excellent punches.

x2. I have the HD model and it's outstanding.

Spoil yourself, OP. But beware...those little red boxes are highly addictive.

 

[tym]

I sure can! I won't use anything else. They're excellent punches.

+1. Usually people don't consider that the "expensive" tool you only have to buy once may wind up costing less than a cheapo tool that may need to be replaced multiple times.

 

[NitroShark]

I got the Starrett, have used it for years. Works perfect.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

Starter taps with the pointed end work great. Lots of industrial type jobs expect you to bring your own punches, but will hand out taps and drills from the storeroom as consumables.

 

[Coach James]

OP, I have a couple different brands of automatic center punches, one is the general you linked in your original post and I can't remember the brand of the other. Both have work ok, but I find myself going back to a regular center punch hand hammer more and more.

Are you set on an auto punch?

Coach

 

[AmericanMechanic]

What is the reason to use this style versus the simple steel punch you tap with a hammer? Work on delicate items?

 

[Matt Matt]

I’ve been working with punches for many years. Centre punches, threw punches & form punches.

A auto punch is a piece of junk. It’s just a gimmick for 13yr olds

When you’re done with everybody sending you links to ****, just p.m. me and I’ll send you a high-speed steel tool blank.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Here's what you want. Top quality, I have several. As good as any made by anyone..

PROTO punches are awesome. Worth the price.

http://amzn.to/2Cx5qLK

 

[ptgarcia]

Starrett. Santa brought me one this year at Christmas and it is very nice, much better than the generic China special. It's my first Starrett tool and hopefully not my last.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[larry_g]

I'm with Matt Matt here. I've never been able to get any kind of precision from an automatic punch. If your doing layout with a yard stick then cutting the hole with a torch then ok. If your doing layout with height gauges and granite surface plates then the autopunch is not going to get the job done. And yes I do own a couple of Starretts as well as a couple of off brands. Over the years I've had failures with all brands. Sometimes the manual way is the better way.

lg
no neat sig line

lg
no neat sig line

 

[crewchief888]

i have the general branded one.

it's ok for the price, and serves it's purpose.

 

[Sears Gilera]

Starrett is the gold standard. Have used mine for over 7 years and no problems. The Harbor Freight units work for a few months then the tip dulls to the point of uselessness.

 

[Merch1]

After 30 years as a steel fabricator, I find myself reaching more often than not for the auto punch for accuracy. Then a good wallop with the manual to finish.

 

[OccupantRJ]

My dad was a finish carpenter, so I acquired most of his tools. Some of his older nail sets were not in good shape on the tip, so I ground them for use as a center punch. I was a machinist, toolmaker, and repair, and these punches have been every bit as good as my Starrets have. A cheap way out if you have any old school nail set punches.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

WTF??

Asks for suggestions then doesn't even wait 30 mins and already has mind made up.


With that said I have a Tekton automatic center punch for like $5 off of Amazon that works perfectly ok and if it has a problem a simple call or email will get the problem fixed. Great customer service from them.

Sorry I needed a punch yesterday, and was looking for a quick thumbs up or down on the three before buying one. I'm not a machinist, I was laying out holes in wood. Happy New Year.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'd second this; the HD Mayhew is pretty inexpensive too.

I've tried Dasco punches; they're a good example of crappy Made in USA tools (very soft steel).

I tried Dasco punches from HD last year. They got returned after first use. I ended up buying a set of Starrett off the big auction site. I haven't had an occasion to use them yet.