Oblong Punch/slot Punch Won't Cut

[caedenspa]

On Saturday I picked up a 1/2" oblong punch from Tandy intending to use it to cut buckle slots in small straps, pass-through slots, etc. I got the thing home, finally got all the plastic crap off of it, and tried it on an old scrap of 2 oz leather. Nothing. Would barely pierce the surface. I thought maybe there was still some of that plastic crap inside it or something, but no. I simply cannot get the thing to cut. I'm planning to return it this weekend, but do I even bother exchanging for another, or should I just get my money back and order a different brand from somewhere else?

Or am I just missing something in my technique, which is about as follows: hold mallet in hand; hold punch in other hand; place cutting edge of punch on leather; smack with mallet. Hmmm.... seems I'm doing it in the right order, I didn't smack it before placing on the leather or anything....

[Ferg]

On Saturday I picked up a 1/2" oblong punch from Tandy intending to use it to cut buckle slots in small straps, pass-through slots, etc. I got the thing home, finally got all the plastic crap off of it, and tried it on an old scrap of 2 oz leather. Nothing. Would barely pierce the surface. I thought maybe there was still some of that plastic crap inside it or something, but no. I simply cannot get the thing to cut. I'm planning to return it this weekend, but do I even bother exchanging for another, or should I just get my money back and order a different brand from somewhere else?

Or am I just missing something in my technique, which is about as follows: hold mallet in hand; hold punch in other hand; place cutting edge of punch on leather; smack with mallet. Hmmm.... seems I'm doing it in the right order, I didn't smack it before placing on the leather or anything....

I will assume you bought a "Craftsman" punch and not one of the expensive Osborne.

You may also want to dampen the leather, it punches much easier.

ferg

Edited January 31, 2011 by 50 years leather

[Luke Hatley]

DO AS FERG SAYS..... also i beleive that you need to do some SHARPING of the edge

and it would help if you used the END GRAIN of a hardwood blok.

[Art]

I'm going to get real basic here. There MUST be a solid surface to start with, smack it with a hammer and nothing bounces. Add to that a hard surface that won't destroy the punch but is still hard like a poundo board or one of them black punch boards that Tandy sells. This should make everything work. If it doesn't, take it back and get your money back; then buy a sharp punch at:

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/tools/tools.html#strappunches

I know it's $60, but you won't buy another one unless you want a different size.

Second option, call Mandy at Sheridan Leather Outfitters and get a good used punch, tell her what price range you are in and see what she can do.

Art

On Saturday I picked up a 1/2" oblong punch from Tandy intending to use it to cut buckle slots in small straps, pass-through slots, etc. I got the thing home, finally got all the plastic crap off of it, and tried it on an old scrap of 2 oz leather. Nothing. Would barely pierce the surface. I thought maybe there was still some of that plastic crap inside it or something, but no. I simply cannot get the thing to cut. I'm planning to return it this weekend, but do I even bother exchanging for another, or should I just get my money back and order a different brand from somewhere else?

Or am I just missing something in my technique, which is about as follows: hold mallet in hand; hold punch in other hand; place cutting edge of punch on leather; smack with mallet. Hmmm.... seems I'm doing it in the right order, I didn't smack it before placing on the leather or anything....

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Sounds like either the punch is not sharp, or that the surface underneath is not correct. I use end grain (not cross grain---end grain) wood blocks to punch into.

Look at the cutting edge under a good light. When looking directly onto the edge, you should not see any light reflecting, if you do it is dull in that spot.

[caedenspa]

Thanks for the responses. I tried again last night, and if I got the leather relatively well cased and banged the heck out of it, I could cut it.

How would I go about sharpening this thing? I've never sharpened a punch before, just replaced tubes.

I would love to have one of those punches (or all of them!) from Brettun's Village, but at $60 a pop that adds up FAST! I did add their site to my bookmarks though. Someday....