Automatic Center Punch Review & Comparison

[friedmule]

4:52 The automatic center punch you have there is for hinges, it's to help you locate the center of a hinge hole. You put the punch on the hole so it fits on the countersinking and then press, you have now the exact center where the screw has to be located.

[smoberdeen]

Thank you for this video. I've used the Blue Point YA-900 for 23 years and it finally quit working. I watched your disassembly/reassembly video because my center punch became a one hit wonder after I had taken it apart to clean it. The concave barrel still isn't resetting like it should, but at least I know I have everything in the proper order and facing the correct direction.

[locksmitty]

That sleeve is for centering your punch in countersunk holes, like what you find in door hinges. Good video.

[smoberdeen]

I forgot to mention I use mine for broken screw extraction. I make an indention to the side of the broken screw/bolt and then use the punch at an angle to turn the screw out.

[jameshall]

i have one from the harbor freight, it works really good. i feel the tip is a little soft. this is the best center punch video i have watched. it is quick, precise, and straight to the point.

[charlieross-BRM]

Thanks for doing the internal breakdown. NOW I get it. I was always curious about how you seem to get something for nothing. ie. how does it automatically reset when it just expended that energy to strike the point.
I'm not in dire need of one but sometimes I'm trying to punch an awkward object that wants to get away from me if I am trying to hold it and the punch steady at the same time in my left hand, leaving my right hand free to wield the hammer and right at the last instant something slips.

[johnebensperge]

Absolutely perfect! I have the Lisle and needed assembly instructions.

[Mike.Kachar]

Thanks for this video!! I found it to be a great explanation of the inner workings of the spring-loaded center punches, as well as the difference between the different types of styles.

I myself purchased a Husky spring-loaded center punch (it was the only brand/one I could find at Home Depot (tho to be honest I didn't look very long/hard)), which also has the "Light/Heavy" arrows/indicators on the end screw cap, and I think I'm going to be quite happy with my purchase. Although, I'm HOPING that I don't run into the issue you mentioned: that I'll probably use it just this one time, and then will forget about it. I purchased my specifically for marking some drill holes I need to put into a plastic casing for an electronics project I'm working on, do we'll see if it ever gets another use.

Anyways, thanks again for your/this video - quite informative! GREAT JOB!!!

[Beachdrone]

Dude, thank you for making this video!!! I have the red one and took it apart and couldn't get it back together!

[twiz]

I have a couple of these myself. Not sure of the brand but it looks like the Starrett and is adjustable as well. I use them quite a bit in (80% 30ga. to 16ga.) metal fabrication. I usually continue to hold pressure (on heavier material) after the first punch, don't move it and give it a few more clicks.
You are correct, tips are hard to find and I just sharpen them up on the grinder. I pull the tip out and chuck it up in the cordless and spin it while sharpening on the grinder, Easier to control for me, and a smooth point that almost looks factory when I use a fine grinding wheel.

Enjoy the reviews, (probably about out of tools to show us lol) keep 'em coming.

[paullevers]

Good video. Useful and I didn't realise they weren't that good on bard metals

[contessa.adella]

Tip: if you need to sharpen the tip, mount it in a drill and use a file on it. Do not use a grinder because if you overheat the tip it will be annealed back to a soft metal.

[waynebeck]

The larger one is for marking centre of counter sunk hinge holes...

[TheDustyShed]

You kept one out of the scrap bin. Thanks brother!

[davidhamm]

I just got my first one today. I have had bits wander when I am drilling in wood, if I am at a slight angle, so I am going to give it a shot.

[jdreynolds]

Another great video keep up the good work you always have good content well spoken easy to understand and I'm just amazed at somebody that has is many different types of the same tools like I do can have them so organized I can't seem to ever have my tools organized they're always scattered everywhere

[schutendohkji]

Who makes the red punch? I like the thinness of it. Also, i don't expect accurate positioning
of the manual punches anyway, regardless of sprung or knot (not). It's really best for the
accurate machining to use a DRO equipped milling machine to get to where u want to
drill (x, y) and make a tiny crater using a center drill 1st. Then, bring the drill bit at the same
(x, y) coordinate. The accuracy is within .0005" in both x, y coordinates. Mit the milling machine head adjusted in a perfect perpendicularity w the table, the drill will nut (not)
wander. So, dat (that) said, everyone must go buy this 2 ton, 3HP milling machine + DRO
accessory installed in ur garage. Or if u don't change tool bits constantly, or
crank the X, Y, Z axis wheels, get a CNC Milling machine! Keep the garage doors shut
so ur Wifee won't c it coming home from WallMate instead of BloomingTale's. Don't
forget datto she needs to keep up w Jane-Sees as u trying to keep up w Joe-Sees.

Back to the manual punch. Yes, i have datto General H/W brand adjustable punch. And yes,
it bends brass sheet strips and the hole is too tiny and nut deep enough to keep even my
drill press bit to wander off the dimple. Thinking about the comment on why the Star-it has
the sleeve, perhaps, make the hinge hole press down onto the thin brass sheet as a guide
so the sheet won't bend. Or drill a bunch of diff. hole sizes onto a 1/4"T plate and use datto
as a guideOoo for no wander, no bending work! I won't try to grind the tip of the sprung one
in-situ or out of the body. It's too tiny and brittle. Yah, the tip won't last long. if ur un-4-2-8,
ur drop it w tip pointing down on concrete as i have. Trying to buy a replacement is mo
expensive than the entire tool (how do the seller figure dat?). Yes, i agree, the solid
punches r better and if u have a 3 Ton Lathe, no problem to dress up the point symmetrically w perhaps using a good n sharp carbide tool. i bet ur starret's entire punch is of tool steel,
nut carbide.

Thx 4 the video!

[johnjingleheimersmith]

lol, catus, did you say "wala" instead of "voila"?

[stavrovoorhees]

They are not difficult to sharpen, I sharpen mine all the time.

[BrianWilliams-cqys]

Great video I have some automatic center punch I think one of mine might be a kind of a Rosy pink color made by Blue Point found at an estate sale and I think it may have a pocket clip and I really like those automatic Center punches you are right they don't leave a big enough dent because they tend not to hit very hard and so in that case they don't get used very much but I still think you're cool if you are working with aluminum copper or brass which are very soft thin metals that would probably leave a much deeper or or bigger dent in the material your tool friend Brian Williams take care see you later