Need advice for hole punching - can't tell if I have poor tools or just my inexperience

[jcwoman]

Little bit of an update and basically continuing frustration.  I got a couple of Osborne punches, also 2mm tiny things.  I read that they're not sharp right out of the box but that's okay.  I know keeping my tools sharp is my job.  I actually did find that they're sharper on the first use than the cheap ones that came with my chinese punch tool.  Punched like butter for the first 5 or so holes, and then started to clog.  I remembered I need to punch them into wax, so did so but that didn't stop it from clogging.

What I'm noticing with these, both the cheap ones and the Osborne's, is that they just don't clear themselves like they're supposed to.  Likely due to their tiny size, like Chuck said.  The leather plugs get impacted inside, and if I keep working, they just get more impacted and start pressing little circles in the leather instead of punching and clearing themselves. 

I'm also seeing that using a fine wire brad (like a small finish nail) to try to gently hammer the plugs out of them is ruining the edges.  I can feel the burrs forming on the edge with my finger.  So that's not a good practice.

I guess I'm still on the hunt for the best tool for punching small buckle holes in dog collars (6/7 weight leather).  Ugh!

[fredk]

Try these, the  larger holes on these might do your job

https://www.tandyleather.world/products/hand-sewing-leather-punch?_pos=4&_sid=83253a55d&_ss=r

You can buy these for a lot less than that price. The last pair I bought just about 2 months ago cost about me £11 ($13.50 approx). And they are worth every penny of that

Edited August 2, 2022 by fredk

[toxo]

2 hours ago, jcwoman said:

Little bit of an update and basically continuing frustration.  I got a couple of Osborne punches, also 2mm tiny things.  I read that they're not sharp right out of the box but that's okay.  I know keeping my tools sharp is my job.  I actually did find that they're sharper on the first use than the cheap ones that came with my chinese punch tool.  Punched like butter for the first 5 or so holes, and then started to clog.  I remembered I need to punch them into wax, so did so but that didn't stop it from clogging.

What I'm noticing with these, both the cheap ones and the Osborne's, is that they just don't clear themselves like they're supposed to.  Likely due to their tiny size, like Chuck said.  The leather plugs get impacted inside, and if I keep working, they just get more impacted and start pressing little circles in the leather instead of punching and clearing themselves. 

I'm also seeing that using a fine wire brad (like a small finish nail) to try to gently hammer the plugs out of them is ruining the edges.  I can feel the burrs forming on the edge with my finger.  So that's not a good practice.

I guess I'm still on the hunt for the best tool for punching small buckle holes in dog collars (6/7 weight leather).  Ugh!

You don't need to spend big money on punches. I use these in 0.8mm, 1.2mm and 1.5mm and they've been fine. My guess is there's glue involved somewhere. You won't notice until you leave the pellets to stick to each other and the inside wall of the punch. If this is the case just punch a few holes in some non glued stuff and maybe leave the punch in a small jar of solvent or thinners.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122584851260?var=425413248570

[jcwoman]

I'd be really surprised if there's any glue, since I'm buying un-dyed veg-tan strips and oil and dye them myself AFTER I cut and punch the holes.  However, I can still rinse/soak the punches in a jar of solvent.  I was also thinking of dipping them in neatsfoot oil instead of wax thinking maybe that will lubricate them better.

On 8/2/2022 at 6:04 PM, fredk said:

Try these, the  larger holes on these might do your job

https://www.tandyleather.world/products/hand-sewing-leather-punch?_pos=4&_sid=83253a55d&_ss=r

You can buy these for a lot less than that price. The last pair I bought just about 2 months ago cost about me £11 ($13.50 approx). And they are worth every penny of that

I like this tool, although would prefer if it was a desktop tool, to save my hands.  hahah!