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 Post subject: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:06 pm 
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Location: Rochester, NY
Anyone got one they like a lot? The one I bought seems to be… "semi" automatic—meaning it only punches automatically about one in every ten tries. Such a great tool in theory, but it's crap. Would love to hear recommendations for a better one.

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:10 pm 
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I use a «General» brand, was pretty expansive...but does the job real good. Made in US so it's quite good quality...i did a thread about it! :lol:

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 1:29 pm 
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GrindCustoms wrote:
I use a «General» brand, was pretty expansive...but does the job real good. Made in US so it's quite good quality...i did a thread about it! :lol:

Heh, pretty sure mine is a General brand punch, too. Didn't see your thread when I searched. (But that's not unusual; I can almost never find anything useful by searching unless I've already read the thread before and remember some uncommon words.)

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:06 pm 
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Location: Nashville, TN
Crap it. Trying to remember where I got mine. Has not misfired once. I'm going to say I'm 95% sure I got mine at Home Depot. I can almost picture myself in the tool isle down from where keys are made. Have no clue what I paid off hand. Sometimes you get what you pay for....well actually almost all the time when it comes to tools...ask me how I know :roll:

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powerpopguy wrote:
warm places theory sounds plausible. Occasionally, I wake up and think my snake is missing too, but it turns out it's just a chilly morning. :P


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:12 pm 
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yeah I've had problems with the cheapie punches too. I was able to make it work a little better by unscrewing it completely, and getting some household oil in there where the ball bearing is (or whatever is in there). Changing the tension often helps too.

I went the opposite direction- i bought a second even cheaper one from Harbor Freight, and it works better than the original one (from Home Depot). Go figure.. maybe the first one is just old and rusty inside.

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:24 pm 
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Location: Brewtown, USA
you guys and your fancy tools...

I just tape my template to the enclosure, then use a finishing nail to make a little dent right where I want to drill. Although I'm thinking about scoring a nice heavy scratch awl like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dasco-431-0-7-Scr ... B0000BYBBM

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:35 pm 
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CaptainPeyote wrote:
you guys and your fancy tools...

I just tape my template to the enclosure, then use a finishing nail to make a little dent right where I want to drill. Although I'm thinking about scoring a nice heavy scratch awl like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dasco-431-0-7-Scr ... B0000BYBBM


Yeah, but I can punch a divet with my right hand and drink a beer with my left hand all at the same time. Bet YOU can't do that with your nail and hammer method :x

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powerpopguy wrote:
warm places theory sounds plausible. Occasionally, I wake up and think my snake is missing too, but it turns out it's just a chilly morning. :P


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:29 pm 
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Location: Rouyn-Noranda, Qc
TNblueshawk wrote:
CaptainPeyote wrote:
you guys and your fancy tools...

I just tape my template to the enclosure, then use a finishing nail to make a little dent right where I want to drill. Although I'm thinking about scoring a nice heavy scratch awl like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dasco-431-0-7-Scr ... B0000BYBBM


Yeah, but I can punch a divet with my right hand and drink a beer with my left hand all at the same time. Bet YOU can't do that with your nail and hammer method :x


+ Too much to be liste! :twisted:

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:42 pm 
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TNblueshawk wrote:
Bet YOU can't do that with your nail and hammer method :x

But what if you have an awl and a beer hat? 8)
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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:56 pm 
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:shock: :shock:
Need more beer to look at her! :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:07 pm 
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Will have to look when I go in tomorrow (work @ Lowe's), but I think I remember it being a General.....now I'm trying to remember if that's a brand we even carry (not in that dept)...$8-9-ish......VERY happy w/it

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:49 pm 
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I've got the Harbor Freight punch, paid $3 for it on sale. Works perfect every time.
-P

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TNblueshawk wrote:
Actually I believe Powerpop sent it to me...I put one of his fuzzies in mine.


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:00 am 
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Location: Nashville, TN
ckyvick wrote:
TNblueshawk wrote:
Bet YOU can't do that with your nail and hammer method :x

But what if you have an awl and a beer hat? 8)
Image


Dang it!

I'm stumped now :twisted:

It sort of sounds like maybe you got a dud SJ.

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powerpopguy wrote:
warm places theory sounds plausible. Occasionally, I wake up and think my snake is missing too, but it turns out it's just a chilly morning. :P


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:44 am 
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.generaltools.com/79--PROFESS ... _p_34.html


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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:54 am 
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Location: Rochester, NY
Some good thoughts here—thanks, guys.

MrClean, if you think of it and can snap a picture of the one from Lowe's, that'd be great.

Old Metal, that is definitely NOT the General Tools one that I got. Looks to be much more sturdy. I'll keep that in mind if the Lowe's one doesn't pan out.

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 Post subject: Re: Recommend a specific automatic center punch
PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:03 pm 
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Will do!

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