Definition

1. Noun:

   • A marking tool: A hand tool with a hardened, conical steel point, used to create a small indentation (a "center") in a workpiece, typically metal. This indentation guides the tip of a drill bit to prevent it from wandering at the start of a drilling operation.

2. Verb:

   • To mark with a center punch: The act of using a center punch tool to create an indentation in a material.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Before drilling the hole, use a center punch to make a small starting point.
  • The machinist selected a sharp center punch from the toolbox.

• Verb:

  • Always center punch the metal before you begin to drill.
  • He carefully center punched each marked location on the steel plate.

Advanced Usage

• "Automatic center punch": A spring-loaded version of the tool that delivers a consistent strike without requiring a separate hammer.
  • For repetitive work, an automatic center punch is much faster.

Variants and Related Words

• Centre punch: The British English spelling variant.
• Prick punch: A similar tool with a sharper point angle (often 30 or 60 degrees) used for more precise marking, as opposed to the standard center punch (often 90 degrees).
• Punch mark (n): The indentation left by a center punch.

Synonyms

• Noun: Punch, marking punch.
• Verb: To prick, to dot, to mark (in a specific technical context).

Related Phrases

• "To punch a center": An alternative phrasing for the verb form.
  • The first step is to punch a center at each intersection on the layout.

Noun

1. a tool with a conical point that is used to make indentations in metal (especially to mark points for drilling)

Verb

1. make a small hole in something as a guide for a drill