punch to cut the hole in the end of a guitar strap?

[JohnD]

Does anyone know where I might find a punch to cut the hole in the end of a guitar strap? I've searched the web for "keyslot punch" and "guitar strap button hole punch" among other things but have had no luck. I would appreciate any help. Thanks

John

[Johanna]

That was probably done with two round punches and an extemely sharp knife for the slit. I doubt that was done with a slot punch because they are not generally made that narrow, and they don't slice as clean.

Johanna

[JohnD]

Thanks for the response Johanna.

I did a little more searching and found a pippin punch from Osborne tools. It punches the larger hole and the slot at once.

I can't find anywhere to buy one yet. I'll keep looking though and post anything I find, in case someone may be interested also.

Edited April 30, 2007 by JohnD

[nomi]

A possible source for the punch

http://www.hidehousesouth.com/Tools/punchs.htm

- Noel

[JohnD]

Thanks for the tip, Noel

I'll give them a call tomorrow when they're open.

John

[Johanna]

Noel!

JohnD...I have never seen a tool like that before...pardon my ignorance. I love this place, I learn something new every day. Does Osborne still make them, and what are they called?

Johanna

[ClayB]

Thanks for the tip, Noel

I'll give them a call tomorrow when they're open.

John

Siegel of California also has the punch with one hole and the slot.

https://www.siegelofca.com/view_cat_product...id=43&curpage=3

[nomi]

Noel!

JohnD...I have never seen a tool like that before...pardon my ignorance. I love this place, I learn something new every day. Does Osborne still make them, and what are they called?

Johanna

The website I found called them a Pippin (keyhole) Punch.

It was a new tool to me, never seen one before

And thanks for the welcome!

- Noel

[bruce johnson]

John,

The Osborne button hole or "pippen" punches only come with one sized hole. One has a round hole and the other has a teardrop shape hole. It may not be the same size as the guitar button. Johanna's suggestion of the round punch and cutting the slot may still be necessary. The Osborne button punch holes are just a bit small for some of the things I do that cut on (spur straps). I use a round punch for the hole, and instead of a knife, I punch the slit with a sharpened wood chisel. I bought a cheap set of wood handled wood chisels several years ago, and they are all still going strong. I hit them with a maul against a LDPE cutting board. I sharpened them to a finer taper than they came with, but still left the single bevel. I use the different sizes (widths) to cut inlays too, especially long straight lines. On inside corners they prevent overcutting and bad words. Safer and more repeatable cutting than a knife for me in some places.

Bruce Johnson

[BruceGibson]

Brilliant use of wood chisels...I'm stealing that, Bruce. Hope you don't mind buddy!

[gary]

Brilliant use of wood chisels...I'm stealing that, Bruce. Hope you don't mind buddy!

I have also found that using chisels for some cuts is quicker easier and less error prone than using a knife.

Buttonhole punches, Pippin or Round, are used over here for saddlery and some military leather items.

One of the main suppliers for saddlery related products in UK is Abbey Saddlery (www.abbeysaddlery.com).

They supply tools as well and have the punches listed.

[JohnD]

Wow, Thanks for all the responses! This site is awesome.

I had also e-mailed Mosby guitars last night (that is where the strap photo came from) and he responded already.

His reponse was similar to Bruce Johnson's above. He said he uses 3 separate punches: an Osborne #13, Osborne #0 and a piece of flat stock that he sharpened to a flat slot cutter.

I have several old chisels and a bench grinder so I will definately save my money and give that a try. Thanks again everyone.

John

[Romey]

Thats a super tip Bruce!

JohnD, be careful using a grinder on hardened steel, keep your passes light and when you feel any heat in the steel dip it in water right away before making the next grinding pass(as soon as your feel any heat in it). This will keep the temper in the steel. Letting hardened steel get hot or worse change colors will ruin the heat treat and temper of the steel on a chisel or blade and it will get dull faster and/or deform the cutting edge in use.

[JohnD]

That's good advice Romey, Thanks

John