Protecto board

[ElNino]

I am trying to source a protecto board or equivalent here in Spain could somebody tell me what poundo board is made of or what I could use instead of, I'm thinking maybe a good piece of cork board but I don't think it will be dense enough. How thick should it be?

Cheers,

Chris

Edited February 20, 2008 by ElNino

[Rawhide]

You can use a soft pine board, A cork board would work, provided it's thick enough. You can also use a poly board instead (kitchen cutting board). It's harder than poundo, but it's soft enough not to damage your tools.

Marlon

[ElNino]

You can use a soft pine board, A cork board would work, provided it's thick enough. You can also use a poly board instead (kitchen cutting board). It's harder than poundo, but it's soft enough not to damage your tools.

Marlon

Marlon,

Thanks, could you tell me what a Poundo board is made of and how thick it should be, I'm picturing a stiff rubber pad which will allow tool points to penetrate without dulling or bending the tip. Knotty Pine is about all you can get here so that's not going to be a good choice.

Cheers,

Chris

[Rawhide]

Chris,

Sorry I forgot to answer that question. Yes, poundo is a fairly stiff rubber pad about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. If you have a Wal-mart or something of the sort, That poly board I mentioned could be the ticket. Like I said before, it is harder than the poundo, but will treat your tools the same way, plus it's eaiser to tell when you've punched all the way through the leather.

Marlon

[esantoro]

Chris,

Sorry I forgot to answer that question. Yes, poundo is a fairly stiff rubber pad about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. If you have a Wal-mart or something of the sort, That poly board I mentioned could be the ticket. Like I said before, it is harder than the poundo, but will treat your tools the same way, plus it's eaiser to tell when you've punched all the way through the leather.

Marlon

I think I'll start using the softer poly boards for pounding out holes and pounding off strap ends. It's too easy to pound through the poundo boards, but I do like them to put underneath my granite slabs.

ed

[ElNino]

Chris,

Sorry I forgot to answer that question. Yes, poundo is a fairly stiff rubber pad about 1/4" to 3/8" thick. If you have a Wal-mart or something of the sort, That poly board I mentioned could be the ticket. Like I said before, it is harder than the poundo, but will treat your tools the same way, plus it's eaiser to tell when you've punched all the way through the leather.

Marlon

Marlon,

Thanks again. My book order should be arriving any day now so I will try and keep the dumb questions to the minimum

Cheers,

Chris

Edited February 20, 2008 by ElNino

[Rawhide]

No questions are dumb my friend. That's why we are all here....to learn.

Marlon

[TracyMoss]

As I was once told, "No dumb questions, just dumb people asking them."

No offense, just thought it was funny.

We are all here to learn from each other.

[ElNino]

As I was once told, "No dumb questions, just dumb people asking them."

No offense, just thought it was funny.

We are all here to learn from each other.

I'll have to remember that one :w00t:

[Johanna]

I ususally put a piece of scrap leather under my punches, on top of the poundo board. Might just be superstition, but I think it helps the tools keep their edges better.

Johanna

[TracyMoss]

I agree Johanna, I don't like to use the poundo board with any sharp edges. I've used a scrap piece of heavy saddle skirting for years, since I always seem to have plenty around.

[esantoro]

I usually use scrap leather on top of the poundo mat. The few times I was too lazy to do so, I cut through the mat.

It does come in handy, and every now and then Tandy has it cheap.

ed

[UKRay]

Chris, As an old time harness maker, I always use a lead block to cut strap ends and punch holes. You might find it easier to source some old lead pipe than a poundo board in Spain. I just boil all my lead scrap in an old saucepan and then let it set - you can then turn out an instant re-usable pounding block. Just boil it up again when the surface becomes unusable but be careful not to breathe in the fumes or let it splash - ouch!

[ElNino]

Chris, As an old time harness maker, I always use a lead block to cut strap ends and punch holes. You might find it easier to source some old lead pipe than a poundo board in Spain. I just boil all my lead scrap in an old saucepan and then let it set - you can then turn out an instant re-usable pounding block. Just boil it up again when the surface becomes unusable but be careful not to breathe in the fumes or let it splash - ouch!

Ray,

Great idea!

Cheers,

Chris

[pete]

why not go to a mechanic and ask for an old tire to cut up(don't get a steel belted radial!) a really big truck tire would probably yield enough "flat" surface to work on.

just a thought.

pete

[barra]

I'm with Ray on the lead block. lead is cheap or even free to get hold of and it is definately solid but soft enough to protect your punches. I then take to the block with a ball pein hammer to re smooth out the bunch holes every now and then (I re melt every now and then). I have a few of various sizes and use tins of various sizes as molds to melt the lead in. They then double up as weights to hold leather projects steady.

Barra.

[Srigs]

Another good source for a rubber pound board is horse stall mats. Don't laugh (I have horses) and the work great for punching holes and protecting your tools.