Use a nail set as an improvised center punch

If you do not own a center punch, a nail set (the tapered steel tool designed for countersinking finish nails) works as an effective substitute. Place the cupped or pointed tip of the nail set on your marked drilling location. Tap the flat end with a hammer to create a small starting dimple. Then place your drill bit in the dimple and begin drilling at low speed.

Why It Works

A nail set is made from hardened tool steel and has a narrow, tapered tip that concentrates the hammer blow into a small point -- functionally identical to how a center punch creates a dimple. The cupped tip found on most nail sets actually grips the surface slightly better than a flat-tipped punch on some materials. Most woodworkers and DIYers already own nail sets, making this a zero-cost alternative to buying a dedicated center punch.

Tips

• Use a 1/32-inch or 1/16-inch nail set for the smallest, most precise dimple
• Hold the nail set perpendicular to the surface and keep your fingers away from the strike zone
• Works well on wood, soft metals (aluminum, brass, copper), and drywall but is less effective on hardened steel compared to a proper center punch
• The cupped-tip style common on nail sets creates a slightly wider dimple than a center punch -- this is fine for most drill bits 1/8 inch and larger
• Also consider using a large common nail (16d or larger) as a punch in a pinch -- place the tip on the mark and tap the head
• Common mistake: using too much force on thin material and punching through instead of just creating a dimple