Belt Holes Ugg

[Sylvia]

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

This is one of the most recent "dang it, it's misaligned" ones.

Notice how some holes line up along the straight edge but one is glaringly off center. ... then if you can see past the glare, notice that not of them are exactly centered on 1 inch intervals.

So not only am I off center width wise... I am also not centering the punch on the "marks" This throws it all off. ....

Understand that some of my pieces also are not dead straight.... they may taper from 3.5 inches to 1.5 inches... that is why the jigs offered thusfar are helpful... but won't always work. So I need something that has centering features that are not relying on Pythagorean theory , like the belt jig and the dowel hole jig.

Also if I can get something made with the rack and pinion sets and make the throw wide enough I could center punch any thing my heart desires up to the maximum width of the tool No hassle, no aggrivation. Just place, zip the rack and pinion set to hold and center and have at it with the punch.

Edited March 7, 2012 by Sylvia

[Jbarv Bulls]

It sort of looks like you arent centering your punch on your marks. Have you tried placing your punch with hand pressure, then pulling it away to see if your mark is centered before you go ahead and punch it? Thats the only way I can get oval holes to look right .

[pete]

Do what you show in your picture. punch your first hole and the last one. Then----leave your ruler across the bottom of the holes like in your picture and with the other hand, hand press the middle holes with your punch resting on the ruler. You need to allow for a TINY difference if your punch is thick or wide as the side MAY slide it up from the edge of the rule but hand press it and you can see it clearly before you hit it.

pete

[Sylvia]

Sometimes I feel like I need a speed square, the metal ruler, 5 bench clamps and a whole lot of praying to even get it close.

I'm going to have to make something that works for me I guess. It's just too easy for me to get off center in both directions. I had one I tossed out of disgust that had the center line angled... only slightly... but enough that it was visually unappealing and I had a "template" for that one. LOL

I need to find someone close to me that has the necessary tools and skills to do precision work that would be willing to make what I need for Beer and a Belt. lol

Thanks everyone for trying, I'll take your suggestions and see if I can do better without a special tool for now.

[Bluesman]

Sylvia,

You are way over thinking this. Sqaure, clamps ruler.......WOW. Go, get yourself a shot of good whiskey and work with me here.

Find for your first hole and mark it with an awl, so you can see it. Then locate you next hole the same way and on and on. Now look at them. Are the awl marks straight inline? If so punch em, if not move em. 1/16" off Center to center on a belt/strap hole to hole is nothing. It is far more obvious when they don't run in a straight line. If you really want them within .0000001 of an inch on center within .00001, get a laser. Now take another shot of good whiskey, and Jim Beam ain't it.

[Sylvia]

Sylvia,

You are way over thinking this. Sqaure, clamps ruler.......WOW. Go, get yourself a shot of good whiskey and work with me here.

Find for your first hole and mark it with an awl, so you can see it. Then locate you next hole the same way and on and on. Now look at them. Are the awl marks straight inline? If so punch em, if not move em. 1/16" off Center to center on a belt/strap hole to hole is nothing. It is far more obvious when they don't run in a straight line. If you really want them within .0000001 of an inch on center within .00001, get a laser. Now take another shot of good whiskey, and Jim Beam ain't it.

LOL I gave up Whisky in my youth after a mishap. Somewhat like this song.

It involved a hot spring, and a cliff. .... not a great situation.

Thanks though!

[Bluesman]

Good Tequila, made from 100% Agave will get em naked, everytime, :evillaugh:

[Wishful]

Here is a link to a Japanese co that I just came across that has a product that looks useful for what you need. Maybe this can inspire you to make a template of your own. They seem to have a few other interesting items too but not sure if they ship to US economically.

http://www.goodsjapa...ncil-for/Detail

[HellfireJack]

If you have the cash you can buy a set of Osbourne self centering hole punches.Then it's just a matter of placing your marks in the right spot.

Edited March 18, 2012 by HellfireJack

[FHL FERG]

Sounds to me like you may be trying to center your punch over your mark. This will almost always end up with your holes being off as you site them down the line. Use your mark as the edge of the hole instead of the center of the hole.