What does a center punch do?

Answer 1

Typically a center punch tool is used to aid in drilling. The impression made by a center punch into wood, plastic or metal marks the area to be drilled and helps the drill stay on course as it goes through the material. The traditional center punch is used with a hammer and the automatic center punch uses a spring tension mechanism to create a force hard enough to make the indentation. Read on to learn how to use a center punch.

Answer 2

It is a hardened pin made of tool steel that is sharpened to a point on one end. It is used to put a dimple into hard materials like steel or iron, so that, typically, a drill can be aligned over it to start drilling a hole or a pilot hole.