Starrett 18A Automatic Center Punch with Adjustable Stroke
by STAKF
 |
List Price: Category: BISS See more product details |
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Product Details
Manufacturer: STAKFBrand: Starrett
Edition: Misc.
Model: 18A
Publisher: STAKF
Studio: STAKF
Music Label: STAKF
Product features:
- All Steel Construction is hardened and tempered
- Force is regulated by the adjustable knurled cap
- Point can be removed for regrinding
- No. 4 graduation - 8ths, 16ths, 32nds, 64ths
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Starrett 18A Automatic Center Punch with Adjustable Stroke
Customer Review: Operates smoothly but tip mushroomed during first use
Summary: 2 Stars
I needed a new spring-loaded center punch to use at home to replace a cheap imported punch I bought a while back that never really worked well. I chose this particular brand/model because I have used similar punches made by Starrett with excellent results. I also wanted to support USA manufacturing and best I could tell this tool by Starrett appeared to be made in the USA.
This punch has the look and feel of a fine quality tool. The spring punch mechanism works smoothly and consistently. The knob on the end allows a good range of adjustment on the punch spring, from "light" to "medium".
However, this tool has a fatal flaw. The sharp steel tip of the punch which actually makes the indentation in your workpiece is NOT hard enough. The first time I used it the tip mushroomed! I tried my old "cheap" punch numerous times on the same piece of steel and it made a series of perfect little indentations with no loss of sharpness of the tip at all. I have used center punches from Mitutoyo as well as older Starrett punches for years at work and have NEVER seen this problem with a good quality punch.
I was able to re-sharpen the tip of this Starrett punch easily using an ordinary metal file, which also indicates the steel tip is not properly hardened. It should have required a stone or diamond file to sharpen. I tried the re-sharpened punch again on several different metals. Aluminum and brass are about the hardest metals this punch will mark without flattening the tip.
Whatever the reason, the tip of this punch is not properly hardened, and it renders this tool almost useless out of the box unless you just want to punch something softer than mild steel. Fortunately, replacement tips for this tool are available. I am considering writing Starrett in hopes they will send me a free replacement for the defective tip that came with this punch.
Description of Starrett 18A Automatic Center Punch with Adjustable Stroke
These punches and nail sets are universally used, but most often by machinists and carpenters. They are well-proportioned for ease of use. The specially selected tool steel is hardened and tempered to the proper hardness. All of them feature nicely knurled finger grips for ease of handling. A special tempering process makes the head less likely to fracture from a hard, off-center blow. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHEN USING STRIKING AND STRUCK TOOLS. Rugged automatic punches have all-steel handles and parts. These punches have a mechanism that automatically strikes a blow when downward pressure is applied. No hammer is required, making one hand always free to steady the work. The adjustable knurled cap regulates the force of the blow. Should a heavy mark be required, the cap is screwed down. Progressively lighter marks are obtained by turning the cap upward. The tension of the spring, which regulates the blow is constant, so marks made by the point are uniform in depth and size for each setting. The point can be easily removed for regrinding and/or replacement. All sizes are identical in style, differing only in the striking power.Hand Tools
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