automatic center punch.

[M J D]

Was wondering if anyone has found a decent automatic center punch. I have tried general and a few others and either they don't mark the material very well or if they do they don't last.

[johnrbauer]

Starrett

[mikecwik]

I think I got my from Harbor Freight. It is not bad.

I am sad to hear the General has let you down.

[Sandy]

I got one of the HF punches and didn't last ten times I don't think. Started skipping a beat till it got so bad I gave it up. Ended up drilling and tapping the small end to accept the reloading accessories, pocket cleaners, neck brushes, etc.. Works great for that.

[aevald]

Someone already said Starret, I have a number of theirs and I also have a Brown & Sharpe and numerous Generals. The first 2 mentioned have been the most trustworthy and fully functional. Also depends on the model/size, I believe that Starret and Brown & Sharpe have multiple models and sizes, likely General does too. Good luck and best regards, Allan

[EZRhino]

The Harbor Frieght brass ones are crap. I went through 2 or 3 of them in a month then finally bought a General. I use these a LOT, and even the Generals only last about a year. I just bought a new one that is supposedly heavy duty, and it's twice the size of my old one. It's a General number 78, about $30 on amazon . It takes quite a bit of pressure to get it to pop, I was surprised! Top is #78, bottom #79. Sometimes I have to do it the old fashioned way and hit a hand held one with a hammer.

[gxbxc]

I only ever used an automatic punch to take out car windows .Even the cheap one work great for that.

[happymachinist]

As said above Starrett. More specifically the big one. As a rule I use a regular center punch (also a Starrett) and a hammer.

Punch
Mfg No. 56757

Replaceable tip
Mfg No. 70381

[BD1]

I bought the cheap HF ones. I use it for the initial hole location and then use center punch again with a real one.

[pedaldude]

I use the HF one for wood, it works fine for that. By looking at the tip, I don't think it was intended for steel.

I use a punch and ball pein hammer for all else. Sometimes an old drill bit if I'm caught without one. If you want your tip to last, grind it at a 90 degree angle. Some of the ones I see that are even meant for steel seem to be pointier than that.

If you want real accuracy, look into an optical punch.

[johnrbauer]

Have you ever tried a Court O Mitic? Looks like it would work real nice.

[Oldendum]

I only ever used an automatic punch to take out car windows .Even the cheap one work great for that.

When my younger one was real little, he just used the ball pein hammer he found under the car seat. No punch needed.

[thphtm]

I have and use my LS. Starrett one , has to be 60 years old and still works fine.

[M J D]

I thought the one I had was a general , turns out it was a empire. Thinking about the large Starret. Thanks for the replies.

[gxbxc]

When my younger one was real little, he just used the ball pein hammer he found under the car seat. No punch needed.

.
FD & PD trained with center punch for rescue