How to Make Automatic Centre Punch

**diyfixman** · Jun 9, 2020, 11:17 AM

Automatic Centre Punch - When you have so much junk in the workshop that you don't really have to buy it, you can just build one with ease with the help of a simple spring and bolt.

**DIYer** · Jun 9, 2020, 07:31 PM

Thanks diyfixman! We've added your Automatic Center Punch to our Measuring and Marking category,
as well as to your builder page: diyfixman's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Automatic Center Punch by diyfixman

tags: punch

**Christophe Mineau** · Jun 10, 2020, 02:24 AM

Great ! That's an idea!

**desbromilow** · Jun 10, 2020, 07:44 PM

I have several of the "springtool" versions of this including several of their pin punches. the commercial version has a hammer inside the spring which delivers the blow, more than just the mass of the spring itself.( see

for examples)
For a DIY, this is great - the only thing I'd change is putting a hardened tip in the punch - for DIY, I'd drill a hole in the tip, and insert a concrete nail for the punch tip.
in the commercial offering, the centre punch version has a hardened tip which is TOUGH, whereas the rest of the tool is about grade 8 tough (marks with a file)

**neilbourjaily** · Jun 10, 2020, 07:51 PM

Just brilliant.

**desbromilow** · Jun 10, 2020, 08:27 PM

just watched the video I linked to - the guy calls out some of the tools wrong he confuses a prick punch with a centre punch, and snaps everything 3 times - one is usually enough.
I only linked it to show what a commercial spring tool looks like. if you're in Australia, the toolquip group have been clearancing them for a few months - mostly pin punches left, at $5 each. I bought up a few, and reground one to make another centre punch.

**Toolmaker51** · Jun 10, 2020, 08:29 PM

I agree with desbromilow; a hard tip will give better results over time.
Concrete nails are easily 55+ Rc, other materials come to mind too, in no particular order. For starters,
Broken Tap, end mill or drill shank,
Drill blank,
Tip of a deck screw
Paneling nail...
Drill blind pocket and set point with epoxy, anaerobic or cyanoacrylate adhesive. The small mass will heat easily and facilitate replacement.