punches

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Hi all,Dumb question, but I've long wondered the best way to make dimples for drilling in thick sheets of steel.  Everyone recommends an automatic center punch, but I'm not sure that's thick enough for 1/8" carbon steel.  I need dimples because I like my hand drill and am not looking to invest in a drill press.Thanks,Zach
Reply:Am I missing something here?  How about a hammer and a center punch?  Low tech.  Cheap.  Effective.  Versatile.  I've never had much luck with the durability or effectiveness of automatic center punches and I don't think they are as easily positioned just where you want the dimple.Unless you have a drill press with a precision X-Y table and use a center drill to start your hole, you still have to center punch your work to get precision hole placement with a drill press - at least I have to.  If you watch for deflection or wandering of the drill tip as you contact the work you can tell if the drill bit is properly lined up with the dimple, even when the dimple is concealed by the drill.awright
Reply:Thanks for the warning about automatic punches.  My question in general was to whether a center punch would even leave a dimple on 1/8" steel.  I accidently picked up a pin punch at the hardware store and it doesn't even mark it.
Reply:Thickness of the work doesn't make any difference in punching - it's the hardness.  A brand name center punch should work fine on anything that you can drill with ordinary bits.What is a pin punch?  I've heard of drift punches (cylindrical punch with flat tip) and prick punches (like a center punch, but with sharper point).  Neither of those are satisfactory for center punching, but a center punch of suitable hardness will work fine on mild steel of any thickness.awright
Reply:A pin punch is neither a drift punch or prick punch, and actually probably even worse for making dimples.  Thanks for the info; I will go buy the correct tool.