Recommend an auto centre punch

[Gragson]

Unless its ally I wouldnt bother. Can't beat a proper centre punch and a geet big hammer

Initial control for a small dent / witness mark is easier, then **** with proper punch of choice depending..

There was a Fred here recently about a different type, sprung centre punch, supposed to be good?

Fred who? Think all auto punches are spring loaded?
I've had a few generic brand ones and they have been crap, maybe this will be as well

 

[Kram]

It wasnt a fred it was just a post in TIA..
Yes they all have springs but this is a different type, spring is external and you pull it up Im guessing, photo here...

Today I acquired...........

Today I acquired a new mountain bike frame, some assembly required :D Do we get a build thread? That's a project I've wanted a go at for years.

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[Morrisman]

I bought a cheap no name one years ago, it worked, occasionally. Most often I'd carefully align it with the intended location, push it in..... and nada, just presses down. Then I'll faff about a bit, try it on some scrap steel. works great, until the next time I need it.

It's sat in the toolbox for years now, untouched.

 

[Bsmith]

I bought a cheap no name one years ago, it worked, occasionally. Most often I'd carefully align it with the intended location, push it in..... and nada, just presses down. Then I'll faff about a bit, try it on some scrap steel. works great, until the next time I need it.

It's sat in the toolbox for years now, untouched.

Same as mine.

 

[Welderpaul]

I would have suggested the Starrett 18C, it's a chunky beast. I bought one a few years ago and was very impressed - makes a good mark on steel and strikes every time.

However, I bought a second one recently and they appear to have changed the design, now "Starrett USA" instead of "Starrett made in USA".... tolerances are looser, laser etched name instead of stamped. I had to send it back as was assembled with the spring backwards and even after flipping it around it still didn't strike consistently. Got a replacement which worked but nowhere near as nicely as my original. Bit sad for brand such as Starrett. But if you can get a decent one they are worth a look.

Not intending to derail but I was looking for a protractor to do external skirting corners. This popped up, £20 new in places other than screwfix, but alarm bells ring if you can buy anything from Starrett for £20. And lo, the reviews all follow the same theme - a once great name now turned to cheap garbage.

 

[Agroshield]

Not intending to derail but I was looking for a protractor to do external skirting corners.

Standard sliding bevel and bisect the angle using geometry.

Draw parallel equal offsets to the two legs of the bevel and then draw the diagonal of the parallelogram. The diagonal is the angle needed for the saw.

 

[bourbon]

These auto punches. Do I really need one? I look at them every time we have a delivery and think 'that might be useful'. I've already got about 8 normal punches and a couple of BFH's

 

[MattF]

Not intending to derail but I was looking for a protractor to do external skirting corners. This popped up, £20 new in places other than screwfix, but alarm bells ring if you can buy anything from Starrett for £20. And lo, the reviews all follow the same theme - a once great name now turned to cheap garbage.

I got the one @eLuSiVeMiTe recommended. A Lexivon.

LEXIVON Aluminum Miter Saw Protractor | 7-Inch Rust Proof Angle Finder Featuring Precision Laser Engraved Scales (LX-230) https://amzn.eu/d/39BBI4n

Only used it a handful of times upto just, but it seems a nice bit of gear.

 

[Mick Annick]

Not intending to derail but I was looking for a protractor to do external skirting corners. This popped up, £20 new in places other than screwfix, but alarm bells ring if you can buy anything from Starrett for £20. And lo, the reviews all follow the same theme - a once great name now turned to cheap garbage.

I binned a starrett square this summer, way out even for a bodger like me.

 

[Welderpaul]

Draw parallel equal offsets to the two legs of the bevel and then draw the diagonal of the parallelogram. The diagonal is the angle needed for the saw.

By which time I've measured it, cut it and nailed it on

 

[Wildefalcon]

Back on topic, I found this on eBay, and am attempted.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15540672...uid=9MyLmGkhRXa&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Sabrecut. The reviews on Amazon are okay.

 

[nickk]

It was me who showed the rolson sprung,pull back type,which surprisingly outshone my 20 year old eclipse,however the 40 year old eclipse outshone both,it’s just that I lost the latter 21 years ago!
Another example of cheapening an excellent brand .

 

[MattF]

Back on topic, I found this on eBay, and am attempted.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15540672...uid=9MyLmGkhRXa&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Sabrecut. The reviews on Amazon are okay.

I've had a few different bits from them. It's always seemed decent enough quality upto just.

I've been contemplating getting that punch above for a while. Let us know your opinion, if you get one.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I got the one @eLuSiVeMiTe recommended. A Lexivon.

LEXIVON Aluminum Miter Saw Protractor | 7-Inch Rust Proof Angle Finder Featuring Precision Laser Engraved Scales (LX-230) https://amzn.eu/d/39BBI4n

Only used it a handful of times upto just, but it seems a nice bit of gear.

Mines still going strong and in regular use.

 

[Dozzer]

Have a Blue point Auto centre punch that was 3rd purchase of the snap-on van 40+ years ago, came in a little clear and red plastic sleeve, punch still working just the same as when purchased.
Has dot marked more con-rods, crank journals and other engine components than i care to think about.
Had to re grind the tip a few times, but normally after spotting something very hard.
Taken it apart to clean and re lube it, but thats about it.
The Eclipse is not bad, have one of them as well. looks to be the same as the snap-on heavy duty punch.

 

[Jack_K]

Sunflag/Anex/KTC and under a few other brands too. Made in Japan

 

[Bsmith]

Bought an Eclipse one off Amazon, have only tried it a couple of times and it seems ok. It makes a small dent that I can follow with the proper centre punch and hammer

 

[Keithmac]

I bought a cheap no name one years ago, it worked, occasionally. Most often I'd carefully align it with the intended location, push it in..... and nada, just presses down. Then I'll faff about a bit, try it on some scrap steel. works great, until the next time I need it.

It's sat in the toolbox for years now, untouched.

Sounds like my Snap-on one, it's replacement was equally as useless!.

 

[Wildefalcon]

I've had a few different bits from them. It's always seemed decent enough quality upto just.

I've been contemplating getting that punch above for a while. Let us know your opinion, if you get one.

Finally bought one of these, I had a voucher on Amazon. It will be tested this weekend. Made in Taiwan! Remember when that WASN'T a sign of quality?

 

[Munkul]

It’ll be interesting to see what the Sabrecut is like. It looks decent.

I'll say again though... Beta

Beta 32AU Automatic Centre Punch ø3mm - PrimeTools

Length: 150mm. 3mm diammeter. L1: 23mm.

www.primetools.co.uk

Similar sort of price to Sabrecut etc.

Mine has had loads and loads of work through it, and been sharpened a couple of times on the linisher.