Leather Punch?

[NewPiperinNY]

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?

[Bugbear]

[NewPiperinNY]

see.. I told you!

[cavscout]

Working with what you possibly already have, you could get by better with a sharp drill bit. Not the best option but possible.

Otherwise, since all you are using it for is to resize a few belts. I'd hit walmart and get the rotary punch from the craft aisle. should be between $8 and $12 I think.
http://tlf.live.acumium.com/home/dep...ure=Product_20

Best option is the maxi-punch set from tandy
http://tlf.live.acumium.com/home/dep...ure=Product_14

[Jack Daw]

I use my piercing stare.

It doesn't work, though.

[NewPiperinNY]

I use my piercing stare.

It doesn't work, though.

That stare works on my wife though... she can punch through anything!

[tyger]

Cavscout is right: there is no substitute for a good tool that makes a clean hole. Leather Unlimited $9: rotary hole punch---



However, your local price should be just as economical, and faster for you. One simply cannot go wrong by getting and using good tools.

[The Barry]

I use my piercing stare.

It doesn't work, though.

Nice one!

[Smayniac]

One more voice in the rotary punch chorus. I used a single punch for a while, and broke down and bought the bottom of the line rotary from Tandy last fall when I started making sporrans. Whoever said you'll just want to punch away wasn't kidding, I just did a sporran for Scooby with a braided hunting cantle; holes for days, using a straight punch and hammer would have driven my neighbors crazy. With the rotary, I punched 100 holes in 15 or 20 minutes.

Bob

[sydnie7]

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. . .