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  • CFM
Posted
Just now, jcwoman said:

Ohh, I see what you mean.  Yeah, could be my shitty attempt at sharpening it.  I'll address that.

if it was working and now its not...... lol If i were you i would just pop 10 bucks on a new set if you can afford it maybe a couple sets so you have a backup the one you have may have been made wrong. to soft of steel, burrs or what ever but its time to chalk it up as a bad punch IMO, place the order, have a beer!

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

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Posted

You're not wrong, but... this is a second punch that I bought after thinking the first one was cheap/soft/bad.  I can absolutely buy a third one, but I'm starting to think it's my attempt at sharpening that's the problem, so I think I should fix that first.

So to sharpen it, I chuck it into the drill and hold sandpaper over the tip while I run the drill.  The outside edge looks better after that, but after a few punches the edge rolls over again.  Maybe that's normal and you have to clear the plugs and re-sharpen it after every 4 or so holes?  Really, my issue is that I'm spending more time unplugging and sharpening than doing actual strapwork.

While fixing the edge this time after you guys called that out, I used a magnifying glass to examine it.  That works fine, but I sure wish there was a way to see if the inside is roughened up to cause the jams.  I can hold it up to my shop light and see the light through it but I need a third hand with a really good magnifying glass to really see the inside surface. 

  • CFM
Posted
1 minute ago, jcwoman said:

You're not wrong, but... this is a second punch that I bought after thinking the first one was cheap/soft/bad.  I can absolutely buy a third one, but I'm starting to think it's my attempt at sharpening that's the problem, so I think I should fix that first.

So to sharpen it, I chuck it into the drill and hold sandpaper over the tip while I run the drill.  The outside edge looks better after that, but after a few punches the edge rolls over again.  Maybe that's normal and you have to clear the plugs and re-sharpen it after every 4 or so holes?  Really, my issue is that I'm spending more time unplugging and sharpening than doing actual strapwork.

While fixing the edge this time after you guys called that out, I used a magnifying glass to examine it.  That works fine, but I sure wish there was a way to see if the inside is roughened up to cause the jams.  I can hold it up to my shop light and see the light through it but I need a third hand with a really good magnifying glass to really see the inside surface. 

ok :) the edge doesn't need to be knife blade sharp but you shouldn't see a large flat on the bottom either  if you get it to thin it will just keep bending. The edge bevel should be 30 degrees or even more, like your swivel knife bevel short and fat only on a punch its to keep it from bending. Just about half the length of bevel you see in your picture. i don't sharpen any of my small punches unless they get a nick.

Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms.

“I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!

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Posted

Okay, thanks, that's super helpful! 

Posted (edited)

Just to make sure we are on the same page, I have increased the view to see why you are having problems 

first the shoulder needs to be tapered

second is that punch appears in need of some sharpening, I see what looks like a messed up edge. Both of those will cause problems and make sure you are using a thick chunk of leather over your board. It helps keep your punch in working order!

 I can see what it needs, and it’s not a bad idea to get a new punch, I’m sure I Most folks have multiple hole punches 

A179D53D-DEA0-4FD3-9134-A5F2D8B3381C.jpeg

Edited by Doc Reaper

Doc Reaper

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Posted

I admit, I've made quite a few dog collars and I've never tried to sharpen a punch. I did buy a new one, though, when the 0.75 mm one suddenly made much bigger holes because the edge had broken off (in case anybody wonders: The tiny holes are not for the buckle, but for decorative rivets.) That's how I learned that wood is not a good base for punching (I then bought a small piece of that white stuff that's made for purpose). I  have a handle with screw-in punch bits - the small bits cost very little money. And yes, the smaller the punch, the easier the leather gets stuck, but I just live with it and poke out the plugs. If I do it regularly, it's quickly done. 

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Posted (edited)

I think my main lesson from all of this is that my sharpening skills need to improve, which isn't outrageous given that I'm new at it.  Practice makes perfect!

But also, I'm going to buy another punch, a bit larger.  Either  3mm or 4mm size, and the style that Chuck pictured above.  It looks like those have a better taper to begin with.

Edited by jcwoman
added another thought

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