need center punch advice

[BTL-A4]

I am in need of a center punch. I want a US-made one. I noticed there are sets that have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, etc up to 7/8". What is the difference between all these, other than the obvious size differences? I was going to get a 1/4" and a 1/2" and be done. I need them to punch dimples for drilling holes in sheet metal. I figure I need a small one and a bigger one. But I saw the sets and thought I'd ask why all the different sizes and if there is any difference or need for so many.

And, any particular brand that is better or to be avoided: Wilde, Craftsman, SK, Proto all make what I need.

 

[El_Guapo]

Pretty much any USA made is going to be good. My set is mostly Proto, except for a homemade 1" punch, and a Starrett set from .0625 to ¼". More often than not for anything less than ½" thick, I use a 3/8" punch.

For sheetmetal use, get a good automatic punch. General is decent, and US made, but Starrett are much more reliable in the long term. Add a good 1/4" hand punch and you'll be set.

 

[matt_i]

I am quite partial to the Starrett 117E. I doubt that its made in USA these days. There are assortments but eventually I realized the super small size is fairly useless. I'm not trying to center punch a gnat with a half dollar as a hammer lol. If you stick to around an 8oz hammer or a 16oz used with care you'll be OK. Wanting to walk up with a 4 lb hammer and smash a 1/4" deep divot does not make a long life for the point....

 

[neophyte]

I am in need of a center punch. I want a US-made one. I noticed there are sets that have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, etc up to 7/8". What is the difference between all these, other than the obvious size differences? I was going to get a 1/4" and a 1/2" and be done. I need them to punch dimples for drilling holes in sheet metal. I figure I need a small one and a bigger one. But I saw the sets and thought I'd ask why all the different sizes and if there is any difference or need for so many.

And, any particular brand that is better or to be avoided: Wilde, Craftsman, SK, Proto all make what I need.

The larger center punches can create larger potential divots in the material to be drilled.
With split point ground drill bits, the larger divot might not be as needed, but with older drill bits that are traditionally ground, the center axis webbing of the drill bit gets thicker the more the drill bit is sharpened, and the larger the diameter of the drill bit is.
To drill a hole properly centered on the punch mark, the divot has to be large enough for the drill point to properly seat in the divot, which is harder if the divot is too small.

Also, some drill types including certain types of centering drills, won’t seat and drill properly if the divot isn’t deep enough or wide enough.

And in case you are unaware of it, you’re typically recommended to first create a tiny precisely placed divot using a sharper ***** punch, whose more acute tip is easier to properly and precisely place for marking, and then you use the ***** mark to properly locate were the center punch tip goes, and you use the center punch to mark and divot the material for the drill.

As far as center punch brands go, Starrett makes excellent center punches in both automatic and regular solid styles.
PB Swiss/Bauman also manufactures nice solid center punches.
Eclipse in the UK makes a couple sizes of automatic center punches that are very nice. They also make solid center punches, but I have no experience with them. I presume they may be nice as well.
Facom makes shock absorbing center punches as well as regular solid center punches. The shock absorbing center punches are nice to use, but not as nicely finished as the Starrett, Eclipse or PB punches. They also make automatic punches, but I have no experience with those.
The Mayhew punches at Home Depot look nicely finished, and it’s one of the things Mayhew mainly does so those might be another option.
Also, if you run into older US made General, Lufkin, or Brown & Sharpe punches, those should all be good.

 

[LeeG]

You might also want to consider a set of transfer punches. I have the set from Harbor Freight, and they are decent for home use. These are nice for when you need to have the centers of holes line up precisely with existing holes.

 

[Steve_P]

Starrett is much better than Mayhew; I have both. You can buy individual Starrett punches on Amazon.

 

[rsanter]

Some of my favorite center punches are ones that I made from something else.
I have several that used to be the philips power drive bitsnthat are 3” long. Ground to a point and they are a great center punch.
I also have a ground hardened rod that was salvaged from a piece of machinery.
The end had a bevel and I ground to a point. That thing is so had that even Center punching a bunch of stainless doesn’t phase it

 

[2oolhound]

Also consider ***** punches. They are more accurate as you can see the point easier when you hold it. They are sharpened to 60' (more of a point but dull easier) whereas a center punch is sharpened to 30'. A ***** punch should only be tapped lightly to make a better mark accurately where you want to precisely start. Then center punch and you can hit them hard as the 30' angle won't dull too fast. You can usually just use a center punch by itself unless you need precision. The tip of the drill will locate itself in the divot of a center punch so the larger ones are needed for larger bits.

 

[Wamsutta]

I like Starrett auto punches. They work real good.

 

[tarbellb]

Auto punches are my favorite, they make all sizes and punch power. See my post on a couple of USA and other brand punches here:

_ https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388672

(in short, Fowler is a great deal, but the Starrett is a real joy to use and not much more $)

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The best "center punch" I have for making drill divots is the spent armor piercing core from a WWII .50 BMG bullet I found laying on the surface of a berm at a range. It is harder than a *****'s heart and is still extremely sharp after being bashed numerous times. Their natural shape is perfect--VERY sharp on one end and flat on the other, and just long enough to grasp comfortably.

 

[jrhaas60]

One of the best tools I’ve bought in years. LOVE it. By Spring Tools;
https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Tools-28R45-1-Hammerless-Single/dp/B000FK3W0K?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2601168011

 

[plinker]

You might also want to consider a set of transfer punches. I have the set from Harbor Freight, and they are decent for home use. These are nice for when you need to have the centers of holes line up precisely with existing holes.

Transfer punches are very handy, I would reccommend only lightly hitting them and follow up with a better center punch as the made in china ones can be soft.

As for center punches are concerned Endres, Starrett & Wilde work well. I also have a couple older Craftsman that are decent too.

 

[pepi]

I like Starrett auto punches. They work real good.

** Yes best of brand, big hands like the 18C

https://origin-www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/18C

 

[HenryAZ]

I like Starrett auto punches. They work real good.

I use the Starrett spring loaded punches (large and small) almost always for the first dimple. Then, if needed, enlarge that with a hammer and punch that is easy to center on the existing dimple.

 

[dr_clyde]

Starrett automatic center punches are my go to, and then I follow up with a hammer driven punch if needed.

I have Matco, Starrett, Snap-On and some other misc punches.

If you buy transfer punches, I HIGHLY recommend you skip the chinese **** ones and get Spellman Co or SPELLMACO punches. They are SO much better.

 

[pepi]

Starrett automatic center punches are my go to, and then I follow up with a hammer driven punch if needed.

I have Matco, Starrett, Snap-On and some other misc punches.

If you buy transfer punches, I HIGHLY recommend you skip the chinese **** ones and get Spellman Co or SPELLMACO punches. They are SO much better.

Thanks for the heads up here, have a set. I'll want to replace after they wear. Saving these as bookmarks until then.

Pep

 

[Alpine4x4]

Starrett automatic center punches are my go to, and then I follow up with a hammer driven punch if needed.

I have Matco, Starrett, Snap-On and some other misc punches.

If you buy transfer punches, I HIGHLY recommend you skip the chinese **** ones and get Spellman Co or SPELLMACO punches. They are SO much better.

Agree on skipping the Chinese transfer punches. I received a set of the CS Osborne ones from Epstein for christmas and they have been great. One did arrive slightly dull and another slightly bent though.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/usa-transfer-punch-set.html

 

[lilredex]

Those import transfer punches do just fine in a home shop, usually. They are meant to make a small point mark, not a center punch divot. Used carefully they will last.

If you need precision and are feeling extravagant, get an optical center punch.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=45502&cat=42311

If you want to make your own center punch, concrete nails or these Ramset anchors work well for the (replaceable) point.

 

[ckcorder]

Almost everything from McMaster in this category is Starrett or another really nice, precision brand. FYI

 

[gahrajmahal]

Thanks for starting this post. So many great options I did not know about. I have several hand me downs, always a bit substandard. Now I can select a few options from this post and up my center punch game.

 

[BTL-A4]

I got some Proto's. I wanted USA-made and wanted quality since I'm hitting these and don't want to shatter them:
-***** punch: I use it for making a small starter hole for the punch.
-1/4" punch: a little smaller than I thought, but it works fine for the lighter gauge sheet metal
-3/8" punch: a bit bigger than I thought, but works on thicker metal

At some point I will buy the center-finding punches. I looked at the reviews for the HF ones and they all dull after a few hits on metal. They seem fine for wood, though.