Leather Punch?

[vorpallemur]

My impression from seeing low-budget rotary punch is that you use total hand strength to get through the leather. Have you seen any that use leverage to multiply hand strength? Because I'm not going to be able to force those punches through much more than construction paper, with my hands. . .

I've never seen one sold for leather use. But, a punched hole in one material is much like a punched hole in another. I've got just such a punch for punching holes in sheet metal. It would work just fine on leather. Mine's a cheapy from Harbor freight, but the basic design is available many places. One down side is that to change hole sizes, you have to change dies, which means you have to have a tool, and have to have not lost the replacement die.

[Smayniac]

My impression from seeing low-budget rotary punch is that you use total hand strength to get through the leather. Have you seen any that use leverage to multiply hand strength? Because I'm not going to be able to force those punches through much more than construction paper, with my hands. . .

While this is true, the sharpness of the blade makes this cut fairly well. I just squeeze and then twist to make sure the chad is released. I'm only using fairly soft and thin material, I wouldn't necessarily want to do pigskin with it, but it would still be better than the straight punch I used to use.

Bob

[Bugbear]

I have used drill bits in my drill press, and it works alright for round rather than oval holes; especially if you need to set up a jig for making lots and lots of holes. Just be careful of any oils that might be on the bits that might stain the leather.

A sett of punches is really best.

I'm not a leather worker, just do a little bit here and there.

[Panache]

Leather working is so much easier with a rotary punch.

I think I paid $16-17 for it and it is worth every penny!

Cheers

Jamie

[budd4766]

I do leatherwork, and yeah, I'm cringing....you can do a lot of damage to a piece with a nail!

I use a punch I'd found in Tractor supply for about $25...comes with the "plier-like" handle, and interchangeable "bits" for different sizes. It's a lot tougher than the rotary punches, though they will work for most stuff.

[NewPiperinNY]

I do leatherwork, and yeah, I'm cringing....you can do a lot of damage to a piece with a nail!

I use a punch I'd found in Tractor supply for about $25...comes with the "plier-like" handle, and interchangeable "bits" for different sizes. It's a lot tougher than the rotary punches, though they will work for most stuff.

I am thinking that in the course of normal kilt wearing (especially when it is a uniform) a good leather punch such as this would go a long way.

[K. MacRuadh]

You'll definitely get a nicer result with a rotary punch. You need something that actually cuts a hole and removes material rather than just piercing the leather. Don't know where you are in NY but any horse owner or tack shop has a punch with variable size holes.



Kev

[meinfs]

Be warned. You may find that, with a rotary punch, you'll want to punch, punch away.... Really, find all those leather belts that you ever had...

[Terry]

Hey all... I have to work on some belts (to make them smaller luckily) and was just wondering what is the leather punch of choice for the room.. I usually start with a nail, and then insert a larger mail or screw.. and then finally a screwdriver... (I can imagine the leather workers cringing already) or just using a set of allen wrenches once the hole is made to enlarge it.. but of course -- the presentation of such a belt is horriffic at best.

Any suggestions?

Tandy Leather has a nice punch, with adjustable hole sizes, for less than $10

[NewPiperinNY]

Would you believe that I live on Long Island, NY and cannot find one place that has a rotary leather punch in stock?!?!?!? I called 8 places... they all found the spot on the shelf, but not one store had one in stock!

so much for a quick fix, just have to get through this weekends parades without losing my kilt...