Punching pad

[dikman]

Wasn't sure where to put this so here it is. SUP's recent mention of using a wax block underneath her punching got me thinking. I didn't want to use a block but.....sometime ago I was given a very old saddle, very much the worse for wear so I salvaged what leather I could from it. It occurred to me that the side flaps (don't know what they're called) might do for a punching pad. The leather was pretty dry and stiff but no cracks, and very dirty. I cut off the useless bits and scrubbed them with soapy water, lots of dirt came out! When they had dried I used a heat gun to work some wax into them. I didn't want them soft and feeling waxy so nothing would rub off onto my workpiece but could still lube the punches a bit. 

Now, this is where SUP's genius comes in. Sometime ago I mixed up a batch of wax to treat a waxed jacket, 60% paraffin wax and 40% beeswax, perfect for this job! The paraffin by itself is too hard and beeswax by itself is too sticky, mixed like this it soaks in when heat is applied but the leather still feels dry to the touch. The pad will go on top of the cutting board and the workpiece on top, the leather is still thin and stiff enough to provide a hard cutting surface. Theoretically.

[PastorBob]

Great way to repurpose some leather. It is amazing how resilient leather can be.  Keep us posted.