An automatic center punch is a handy tool for metalworkers and woodworkers. It’s used to make a divot in the material, providing an entry point for a drill bit that might otherwise wander.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Traditionally this was done with an awl or punch in one hand, and a hammer in the other. The automatic design was a huge improvement, in that they can be used one-handed. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But how do they work? Look at the cutaway drawings below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It might not be obvious at first glance, so look at the red circles below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Note two things: In the larger red circle, you can see that the spring is actually tapered. Its diameter gets wider moving from right to left. In the smaller red circle, you can see that the anvil of the point is actually domed.<\/p>\n
This means that the trip pin, resting on the domed anvil, can laze around a bit. It’s only when pressure is applied that the conical ceiling of the trip pin’s chamber forces it plumb, and into the chamber of the hammer’s chamber:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Brilliant design!<\/p>\n
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An automatic center punch is a handy tool for metalworkers and woodworkers. It’s used to make a divot in the material, providing an entry point for a drill bit that might otherwise wander. Traditionally this … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[147],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n