What is the purpose of a center punch?

• A. Drilling a hole without any pilot drill.
• B. Cutting a circular groove into metal.
• C. Measuring center distances.
• D. Marking the center of a hole to guide starting a drill.

Answer: (D)

The purpose of a center punch is to create a precise starting point for a drill by leaving a small indentation at the exact center where the hole should be. That indentation guides the drill bit and helps prevent it from wandering as you begin cutting into the workpiece. It’s used by placing the punch on the intended center and striking it with a hammer to make a shallow mark; the mark should be clean and centered, and kept perpendicular to the surface for accuracy. This tool isn’t meant for drilling itself, cutting grooves, or measuring distances, which is why the other ideas don’t fit.