problems with C.S. Osborne #153 punch

[Luke Hatley]

ARE YOU USEING AN OSBOURN RELVOVING PUNCH??

IF YOU ARE, IMHO. IF I HAD A LOT OF HOLES TO PUNCH

I WOULD BE USEING A round drive punch. it will work a lots better.

AND USE A END GRAIN BLOCK OF WOOD.

[usmc0341]

It's not a revolving punch, just one tube. Is the round punch youre talking about the one you hit with a hammer?? I figured the one I was using was the fastest since you don't have to line it up then hit it with a hammer, but I've never used one. I'm definitely changing something. I just spoke with Dominic from Osborne, and he said it was a problem with the tube not having enough clearance on the inside causing it to clog up. He said they will be fixing the problem, but waiting on machine time. He said he will be sending me a replacement, but no timeframe. In the meantime I guess I'll do the drill thing. I guess I'm the only one having the problems with this thing.

Brian

[Beaverslayer]

Brian, what I do when I get a punch bunged up like the 00, I will use a regular sewing needle or safety pin to pluck the stuck pieces out. Just stick the needle in, and pluck it out.

Ken

[tonyc1]

Hi Brian. I've been using Osborne rotary punches for years and I've punched thousands of holes and they will eventually break pieces off the cutting edge just with use and I accept that, but over the last 3 months I've had 3 split after just a few holes and one had only punched 2 holes. When I complained about them, the supplier replaced them with no hassle.. The quality seems to have dropped and I even suggested they may be getting them from China as many other suppliers are these days.

I've been using my old Dixon drive punches for 40 years and they were secondhand when I got them and have punched thousands of holes in leather and PVC webbing and have never had one split. The relief inside them is perfect. I did get a new Dixon 1 1/2" punch about 5 years ago and the edges just rolled over, the quality in the newer punches is not very good and neither is the finish compared to punches 50 or 60 years ago.

I've always punched on a pure lead block, it doesn't hurt the punches and there is no rebound or give in it. It must weigh about 25 lb. I remelt when it gets too cut up in an old 9 inch aluminium frying pan about 2 1/2" deep and when it melts I just scoop off the dross and let it cool down and you have 2 nice, flat faces to punch your holes on. Just get some scrap lead and an old frying and you'll have a great surface to punch on! Happy punching, Tony.

[usmc0341]

Ken,

Thanks for the reply, that's what I was trying to use to unclog the first one. Problem is that it jams so much, I have to keep unscrewing the tube and cleaning it out which consumes a good bit of time.

Tony,

I skipped going to the supplier and just sent an email to Dominic Amador (Vice President of Sales). Apperantly this is a problem with the 00 tubes. He said they've fixed it before, but sometimes go back to the old way and then you get the tubes that split. I'm not too happy with this thing so far and it's like pulling teeth to get them to do anything about it. When I buy something more expensive from a smaller company, I expect it to work, and if it doesn't work I expect the customer service to be better! I'll see how they handle the situation, but so far it sounds like they knew they were having problems with these tubes, yet still gave customers the run around when they break.

Brian

[ryan]

I too have noticed a drop in quality in osborne's belt punches. I don't use the tube punches much anymore. I have bought a couple of punches from Weaver lately that work like a dream. Their brand are called Master Tools. I normally use a piece of polyethelene cutting board material underneath as this seems to give the best surface for me.