Members Sylvia Posted March 6, 2012 Author Members Report Posted March 6, 2012 I measure the middle and then measure over from the previous hole and place the punch edge on the mark not try to center the punch over the mark. but maybe a hole fixture like they use in woodworking could be made for this... Just put the hole you made over the pin and the guide holds the punch at the right distance. That's an interesting and elegant idea. My issue is that because I use a tandy strap cutter my 1.5 inches sometimes ends up as 1.52 inches. Just a hair wider.... so I have to measure carefully to get center line. Then it all goes to hell when I measure out 1 inch intervals and try to punch holes that way. Ideally I would have a "self centering tool" that all I have to do is slide the sides to meet the edges of the belt. The center line would have open holes at the right distance... all I would have to do is drill or punch in the hole. Does that make sense. I can see it in my head but drawing it would take too much time at the moment. That is where the rack and pinion would come in... you've seen them on printers and fax machines on the input tray... the self centering device that holds the paper straight. Quote A teacher pointed at me with a ruler and said "At the end of this ruler is an idiot." I got detention when I asked "Which end?"
Members TTcustom Posted March 7, 2012 Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) You could make this out of wood or plexiglass. the important thing is to make pins the same distance from the center hole. All pretty exact but it will then self center on any width belt. Someone hand could make one with no problems it is dirt simple elegant solution to get centered regardless of width. They sell these at woodworker supply. Here is the link to it. Edited March 7, 2012 by TTcustom Quote I am fifty years old and I have always lived in freedom; let me end my life free; when I am dead let this be said of me: 'He belonged to no school, to no institution, to no academy, least of all to any régime except the régime of liberty.' "What we need is more cowbell!"
Members Bluesman Posted March 7, 2012 Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) TTCustom that is good. Let's go one step further. How about we add another piece, (section) to your design. Add a hole the same punch diameter at attach it at the hole center line with a bolt so it can swivel. You could use the front part to stamp hole #1, then put the swivel part over hole one, pin it with another punch. Then swivel the front end to find center for the next hole which is exactley 1" away and on center. I need to draw this up. Edit. Actually after thinking about this, you could use two center finding jigs attached by a center link to give you the preffered distance from hole to hole to hoel. In this case 1" Both would swivel independantly and be on the same center line. Edited March 7, 2012 by Bluesman Quote If it ain't moving and should......WD40, If it's moving and shouldn't....Duct Tape. There you have it, now fix something
Members Sylvia Posted March 7, 2012 Author Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 0 TTCustom that is good. Let's go one step further. How about we add another piece, (section) to your design. Add a hole the same punch diameter at attach it at the hole center line with a bolt so it can swivel. You could use the front part to stamp hole #1, then put the swivel part over hole one, pin it with another punch. Then swivel the front end to find center for the next hole which is exactley 1" away and on center. I need to draw this up. Edit. Actually after thinking about this, you could use two center finding jigs attached by a center link to give you the preffered distance from hole to hole to hoel. In this case 1" Both would swivel independantly and be on the same center line. Seems like I have sparked the interest of a couple engineers. GOOD!! Now here is what I was talking about. This is the input tray form my fax machine. I'm thinking two of these rack and pinion sets on a piece of acrylic then put it on top of the leather that needs holes, slide the rack and pinion mechanism to center..... then have drill guides like the dowel jig... down the center line. It would/could handle strap sizes up to 8 inches wide.... that would help me a lot. Quote A teacher pointed at me with a ruler and said "At the end of this ruler is an idiot." I got detention when I asked "Which end?"
Members Dwight Posted March 7, 2012 Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 (edited) Sylvia, . . . this is the tool I told you about. Weaver's part number is a 65-6185 and my catalog says $35. As you can see, . . . it adjusts to whatever width the belt or strap is, . . . centers the hole, . . . and you can use the little steel length gauge to set the spacing on the holes too. I do all mine by hand, . . . but may have one of these in my future. May God bless, Dwight Edited March 7, 2012 by Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members Sylvia Posted March 7, 2012 Author Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 Sylvia, . . . this is the tool I told you about. Weaver's part number is a 65-6185 and my catalog says $35. As you can see, . . . it adjusts to whatever width the belt or strap is, . . . centers the hole, . . . and you can use the little steel length gauge to set the spacing on the holes too. I do all mine by hand, . . . but may have one of these in my future. May God bless, Dwight Thanks Dwight, I really appreciate your taking time to look that up for me.... but I just don't have .05 cents let alone $35. Just spent my last $25 on LAST month's car payment. It came due again on the 1st and all but 2 of my bills are past due. Yay... economy! To top it all off I have misplaced my wallet IN MY HOUSE.... can't find it anywhere. <faints> I will keep this in mind though... it's very much like what TT and Blues were talking about.... That is an option too... but. I need to be able to adjust beyond the standard widths. The one you so graciously shared doesn't look like it would do a 3-4 inches wide either. Quote A teacher pointed at me with a ruler and said "At the end of this ruler is an idiot." I got detention when I asked "Which end?"
Members Dwight Posted March 7, 2012 Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 Weaver says it will work from 1/2 to 3 inch straps. How many belts are you doing these days? Is it something that is keeping you from production? May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members Sylvia Posted March 7, 2012 Author Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 Weaver says it will work from 1/2 to 3 inch straps. How many belts are you doing these days? Is it something that is keeping you from production? May God bless, Dwight Not belts guitar straps well, belts too actually. And Yeah It's kind of something that folks would balk at if they see it. Especially when I make them pay a premium for these straps. I timed myself with this last one, taking my time measuring... hoping for the best.... over a half an hour and it still is off by a hair on two holes and two more was 1 1/16" apart instead of 1 inch" (grumble grumble) Redid that strap and the next one was about the same only different. :D I do like this tool though... it's on a list. Quote A teacher pointed at me with a ruler and said "At the end of this ruler is an idiot." I got detention when I asked "Which end?"
Members Dwight Posted March 7, 2012 Members Report Posted March 7, 2012 And Yeah It's kind of something that folks would balk at if they see it. Especially when I make them pay a premium for these straps. Can / will you share a sample, . . . it may be easier to visualize and/or suggest alternatives. I'd like to see what you are working on if you wouldn't mind. May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Ambassador pete Posted March 7, 2012 Ambassador Report Posted March 7, 2012 this is what I use- hope that it helps. I took a piece of posterboard, cut it to different widths for straps and belts, drew a line down the middle, and punched holes for 1". 1/2", 3/4" etc. Place them on the desired strap width and spacing, push the hole punch into the leather to mark it, remove the paper, and punch the hole. This was especially helpful for those darned OVAL punches that never seemed to be right. Made oval holes too in the posterboard. What exactly is going wrong with your hole spacing? pete Quote
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