Best Steel Centre Punches of 2025

Jennifer Fraser Avatar
Jennifer Fraser
Last Updated: 1 Feb 2025

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Steel centre punches are essential tools for anyone who needs to make precise indentations on metal surfaces. These punches are made of high-quality steel and are designed to withstand heavy use without losing their sharpness or durability. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit different needs, and can be used for a range of tasks including marking, drilling, and punching holes. Whether you are a professional metalworker or a DIY enthusiast, steel centre punches are an excellent investment that will help you achieve accurate and consistent results every time.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Draper 3mm Centre Punch with Knurled Body Cover #TOP 1
Draper 3mm Centre Punch with Knurled Body
ftb score rating icon 9.8
S&R Centre Punch Set – 4 Sizes, Durable Steel Cover #TOP 2
S&R Centre Punch Set – 4 Sizes, Durable Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Starrett 18C Heavy-Duty Automatic Centre Punch Cover #TOP 3
Starrett 18C Heavy-Duty Automatic Centre Punch
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Steel Centre Punches

#TOP 1

Draper 3mm Centre Punch with Knurled Body

84464
Blue
3 x 100mm
Draper 3mm Centre Punch with Knurled Body Cover
Draper 3 x 100mm Centre Punch | 3mm Tip Diameter | Knurled Body Tool | Carbon Steel Marking Tools | Polished Ends | 84464

The Draper Centre Punch is an efficient tool designed with a square section striking head and a knurled body, which gives you optimal control for precise marking on various materials. Its durable construction, made from hardened and tempered carbon steel, ensures long-lasting performance, so you can rely on it for all your marking tasks. The polished ends of the punch allow for smooth and accurate marks on any surface, adding a professional touch to your projects. This tool is essential for anyone looking to achieve precision in their work.

What We Like
Optimal control and accuracy
Durable carbon steel construction
Smooth, precise marks
Professional finish on projects
#TOP 2

S&R Centre Punch Set – 4 Sizes, Durable Steel

S&R
283.101.004
blue
4 pcs.
S&R Centre Punch Set – 4 Sizes, Durable Steel Cover
S&R Centre Punch Set – 4-Piece, 3, 4, 5, 6 mm, CRV Steel, Impact Resistant, Made in Germany

The S&R Centre Punch Set includes four different sizes—3, 4, 5, and 6mm—allowing you to mark and punch with precision across various tasks. Made in Germany from high-quality chrome vanadium steel, this set offers exceptional strength and durability for professional use. Each punch is heat-treated to achieve a hardness of HRC 58-60, ensuring that they resist wear and impact effectively, which means you can rely on them for long-lasting performance. Additionally, the punches are stored securely in a sturdy, dust-proof plastic box, making them easy to access whenever you need them.

What We Like
Multiple sizes for versatility
High durability and strength
Excellent impact resistance
Organised storage solution

Starrett 18C Heavy-Duty Automatic Centre Punch

Starrett 18C Heavy-Duty Automatic Centre Punch Cover
Starrett 18C Automatic Centre Punch Heavy-Duty With Adjustable Stroke, 5-1/4" Length, 11/16" Diameter

The Starrett 18C Centre Punch is a heavy-duty tool designed for easy use, allowing you to create starter dimples without the need for a hammer. Its adjustable stroke feature enables you to customise the impact force, ensuring that you can achieve the desired depth and size for your marks. With a constant spring tension, you can rely on uniform results every time. Made from hardened and tempered steel, this durable punch promises long-lasting performance and strength, making your tasks simpler and more efficient.

What We Like
Adjustable stroke for customised impact
Consistent spring tension for uniformity
Durable steel construction
Easy point removal for maintenance
#TOP 4

Starrett 117E 5" Centre Punch with Tapered Point

117E
Silver
Starrett 117E 5" Centre Punch with Tapered Point Cover
Starrett 117E Centre Punch With Round Shank, 5" Length, 1/4" Tapered Point Diameter

The Starrett 117E Centre Punch is designed with a 5" length and a 1/4" diameter tapered point, making it ideal for creating a starter dimple to guide your drill bit accurately. Its hardened and tempered steel construction ensures excellent wear resistance and strength, providing you with a durable tool for your projects. The round shank features a knurled grip, allowing you to hold it securely while working. Moreover, the precision centred tip is ground at the correct angle, ensuring maximum service and accuracy for every task.

What We Like
Durable hardened steel construction
Secure knurled grip
Precision centred tip
Ideal for guiding drill bits
#TOP 5

Eclipse 65-171R Automatic Centre Punch Tool

ECLIPSE
65-171R
Black/White
Eclipse 65-171R Automatic Centre Punch Tool Cover
Eclipse Professional Tools 65-171R Automatic Centre Punch

The Eclipse 65-171R Punch is designed for effortless operation, delivering a punch with just hand pressure applied to its knurled head. This allows you to work with one hand, making it convenient for various tasks where a hammer is unnecessary. You can easily adjust the depth of the impression by turning the knurled head, ensuring precision for your projects. Crafted from high-quality carbon steel, the punch is built to withstand continuous use, providing you with reliability and durability for all your punching needs.

What We Like
One-handed operation
Adjustable depth of impression
High-quality carbon steel
Durable and reliable
#TOP 6

Starrett 117C Centre Punch with Round Shank

117C
3 mm Dia x 100 mm L
Starrett 117C Centre Punch with Round Shank Cover
Starrett 117C Centre Punch With Round Shank, 4" Length, 1/8" Tapered Point Diameter

The Starrett 117C Centre Punch is designed to make your drilling tasks easier. Its 4-inch length and 1/8-inch tapered point create a starter dimple, helping to guide your drill bit accurately. The hardened and tempered steel construction ensures durability and wear resistance, allowing you to use it for various projects without worry. The round shank features a knurled grip, providing a secure hold as you work, ensuring precision and control during use.

What We Like
Durable hardened steel
Secure knurled grip
Accurate starter dimple
4-inch length for ease
1/8-inch tapered point
#TOP 7

Starrett 18A Adjustable Stroke Centre Punch

Silver/Black
Starrett 18A Adjustable Stroke Centre Punch Cover
Starrett 18A Automatic Centre Punch With Adjustable Stroke

The Starrett 18A Centre Punch is designed for durability, featuring all-steel handles and components. Its internal mechanism strikes a blow automatically when you apply downward pressure, making it easy to use. You will appreciate the spring tension that ensures uniform marks in depth and size, regardless of the setting you choose. Additionally, the point is removable, allowing you to regrind or replace it easily, ensuring that your tool remains effective over time.

What We Like
Durable all-steel construction
Automatic striking mechanism
Uniform marking depth and size
Easy point replacement
Adjustable blow force
#TOP 8

2 Pcs Black Adjustable Automatic Centre Punch

SOWBUD
automatic hand punch tool
2 Pcs Black Adjustable Automatic Centre Punch Cover
2 Pcs Black Automatic Center Punch, Steel Adjustable One-Handed Spring Impact Loaded Center Hole Punch, Metal Hole Punch Hand Push Tools for Machinists Glass Wood Thin Steel Sheets and More Materials

The SOWBUD Centre Punch Tools are compact and portable, making them ideal for various projects. Made from premium high-carbon steel, these punches are designed for durability and long-lasting performance. Their innovative spring-loaded mechanism allows you to easily mark precise starting points on materials like wood, metal, and glass without needing a hammer. This automatic feature enhances your accuracy and simplifies pre-drilling tasks, making it a must-have for any toolkit.

What We Like
Compact and easy to carry
Durable high-carbon steel construction
Spring-loaded for precision marking
Versatile for multiple materials
One-handed operation for convenience
#TOP 9

QWORK® 3-Piece Centre Punch Set for Drilling

WD3636
QWORK® 3-Piece Centre Punch Set for Drilling Cover
QWORK® 3Pcs Centre Punch Set, Nail Punch, Positioning Punch Set Drilling Holes for Breaker Puncher, 1/16", 5/64'', 1/9"(1.5mm-3mm)

The QWORK® Centre Punch Set is crafted from high hardness alloy steel, ensuring durability and strength for your projects. The set includes three punches with tapered points of varying diameters, allowing you to choose the perfect tool for your task. Its knurled body provides a firm grip, making it easier for you to position nails accurately. Additionally, the design sets the nail head below the wood surface, resulting in a smooth finish that enhances the overall appearance of your work.

What We Like
High-quality alloy steel construction
Three varying sizes included
Knurled grip for better control
Ensures a smooth finish
#TOP 10

OX Pro Nail Punch Set with Colour-Coding

P095031
OX Pro Nail Punch Set with Colour-Coding Cover
OX Pro Nail Punch 3 Pack Set (0.8mm, 1.6mm, 2.4mm), Forged Hardened Steel, Non-Slip Handles, Hexagonal Anti-Roll Design for Stability, Colour-Coded Centre Punch Set

The OX Pro Nail Punch Set is designed for precision and stability. Its durable forged steel core ensures that every strike transfers maximum impact, making your work more efficient. The hexagonal profile prevents rolling on uneven surfaces, providing you with a stable grip during use. With bright colour-coded heads, you can quickly identify the size you need—0.8mm, 1.6mm, or 2.4mm—saving you time and effort. The broad grip head protects against glancing blows, allowing for consistent and controlled striking.

What We Like
Durable forged steel construction
Prevents rolling on surfaces
Easy size identification
Protects against glancing blows
Comfortable non-slip grip
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is steel used for a Centre punch?

The centre punch is made form mild steel with the point hardened and tempered so that it withstands impact with the material it is marking. It is normally used to mark the centre of a hole to be drilled either by hand or on the drilling machine.

2. What is a metal center punch?

A center punch is a tool with a pointed end that makes a dimple in your piece of material right where you intend to drill a hole. A center punch mark accomplishes two things: - It gives a physical resting place for a drill bit so it stays right where you want your hole to be.

3. What is Centre punch used for?

A spring-loaded center punch is often used to mark the center of a point to show the center of a hole when drilling for example. A center punch forms a dimple large enough to direct the tip of the drill to the proper location.

Editor's Notes

During our steel centre punch research, we found 252 steel centre punch products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 43,668 customer reviews through our big data system to write the steel centre punches list. We found that most customers choose steel centre punches with an average price of £11.35.

The steel centre punches are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of steel centre punches, including Draper, S&R, Starrett, ECLIPSE, SOWBUD. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 555 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Jennifer Fraser Avatar

Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.