Is a Cheap Center Punch Just as Good? Let’s Settle This!
555,378
Published 2023-09-17
I bought all of the center punches and all of the supplies used to test the punches to ensure an unbiased review. So, thank you for supporting the channel!
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➡ An easy way to find past videos along with products tested: bit.ly/2FCrBpk A big thanks to Jim for putting this together.
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➡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Spring Tools: amzn.to/3oKTAdG
Stahlwille: amzn.to/3qmfNiC (no longer available)
Starrett Manual: amzn.to/45JYxDW
Starrett Automatic: amzn.to/3C8crCk
Williams: amzn.to/43xzfac
GearWrench: amzn.to/43DKRIV
Klein Tools: amzn.to/3WJr5cS
Mayhew Tools: amzn.to/3ONB7HN
Wilde Tool: amzn.to/3ORgbzL
Hazet: amzn.to/43gPicX
Proto: amzn.to/3N6nnWr
Sabrecut: amzn.to/3C8uR68
General Tools: amzn.to/3qlrOVq
Mulwark: amzn.to/45F53vU
Neiko: amzn.to/3CqxnF3
Lisle: amzn.to/3IU76lT
Snap On: Available at the online Snap On store
Digital Dial Indicator: amzn.to/43gnJAD
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC
All Comments (21)
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Todd doesn’t do what most other YouTube channels do, like live streams, q&a, shorts etc…and has almost 3 MILLION subscribers. He’s literally had an episode on paint, and rust. And we watch it, 😆. Shows just how awesome this channel is. Keep up the great work dude!
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It'd be cool to see a part 2 where you see how many hits they take to dull the tip, then try resharpening all the punches n see if theres any decrease in tip strength
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I think a comparison of hand file sets would be a good video, I know there are many types of files out there but they are very versatile tools. Thank you for everything you do Todd! :)
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Hey I’ve been a Machinist for about 1 year now and I’ve been watching you since highschool. I’d love to see a comparison test of cheap vs expensive metrology equipment. They’ll probably both be accurate but I’m mostly thinking of wear in the lead screw and amount of damage the faces can take! Keep up the good work!
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I can't help but think the Starrett auto punch you got was a QC fail from the factory. Would be interesting to grind the tip to a point and see how it performs.
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At this point , like 90% of my garage tools are solely purchased because they passed the Project Farm test.
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I’ve had a snap-on center punch for 10 years as a professional metal fabricator. Mostly working with mild steel, I’ve only sharpened it 2-3 times.
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Been using a spring tools punch for a year or two on and off with mild steel and have been hugely happy with it, this just confirms it was a very wise purchase! Fantastic work as always!!
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As someone who has went through my fair share of center punches, I can appreciate the value of information given in this video 👍👍
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This channel is a national treasure! The amount of objective information is staggering!!
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I think you deserve a ton of respect for ingenuity on your testing setups. It really shows tools in real world scenarios!!!! Love your work!!!!!
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Great to see the different punches, I have a very old set that were my grandfather's and there's no name on them but they're harder than anything I've ever used them on!! Thank you for the hard work you're the best creator on YouTube!!
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I've been a machinist for almost a decade and I'll stand by my starrett center punch. It has never not worked for me, looks great, and it also matches a lot of my metrology tools.
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I love this guy
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To armchair quarterback, I've found that it's so easy to do multiple hits with automatic center punches. I know that could also be done with a manual center punch but it's really easy to just push that automatic one down a couple of time. It would be interesting to have seen what a 2nd strike for some of those automatic center punches would have done.
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Off topic a little, I grew up on a farm, stayed there all my working life. Back about 65 years my dad bought some chisels and punches from a traveling salesman. I still remember that day. The brand was Lesota, I still have them and still use them, they are fantastic tools. That fellow came by for years, and I have quite a few striking tools that he sold to us. Googled them, incorporated in 1945, dissolved in 1990, headquarters in MN. They sure made some great tools. This video sparked those memories, thank you Todd.
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I mean this… only Todd could make me watch a video about center punches… to completion. >.<
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WARNING : I have a Spring Tool center punch and I'm glad it performed well in your tests but I will say the actual design of it might be a deal-breaker for many people. If you want a precision tool, it might not be for you. It takes more practice to use so you don't move off your mark. Also, it would be near impossible to use properly if you were working in tight spaces as it requires 2 hands to be on the tool.
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I'll vouch for the Starrett 18A auto punch's durability, still going strong after 30+ years of hard use. I think its had maybe 10 tips over the years and I grind them till they can't be used anymore.
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I have two Starrett automatic center punches. When I use one I always follow with a conventional center punch to get a proper dimple to start a drill. I do learn a lot watching your videos.
