Black River Laser Is Awesome

[Sylvia]

I had been looking for a vendor who could fabricate my templates for me and I found myself on Grey Ghost Graphics page. When I saw the prices on the pre-made templates, it scared me away from asking about custom templates. I am so thankful that you posted this Sylvia. I just placed an order for templates to make a card holder and it only cost me $25 shipped. Every time I have a finalized design that I know I will be using a lot, I will have it made by Black River.

That's very good news Union! I am very glad you found my post helpful. They are such a wonderful couple... and I can't say enough good things about them.

[Sovran81]

I used my templates today. Absolutely awesome. I wish my tools matched those templates in quality. I do wish the holes to mark the buckle holes were slightly larger, but still one of the best investments I have made for leatherwork.

[Sylvia]

I used my templates today. Absolutely awesome. I wish my tools matched those templates in quality. I do wish the holes to mark the buckle holes were slightly larger, but still one of the best investments I have made for leatherwork.

My red tandy modeling tool's pointed end pokes right through those holes. If you need to, use a straight pin. One of the thin ones for quilting with the big plastic heads should work.

[reddevil76]

I used my templates today. Absolutely awesome. I wish my tools matched those templates in quality. I do wish the holes to mark the buckle holes were slightly larger, but still one of the best investments I have made for leatherwork.

Hi Joe, I have a template made and it had a hole marking which is for me to punch a hole for fixing on a screw-on type concho.

I contemplated making the template hole as large as the chicago screw, but later on decided if I switch to different conchos, that large may be too large or too small. As concho makers varies the chicago screws they use.

In the end, I decided a very small marking hole is still the best. And from there, I can use a self centering hole punch. Using this combi, I can punch any size holes, and it will always be centered.

Hope I don't sound confusing..

[Sovran81]

I have been using a straight pin, but with my big clumsy calloused fingertips it is hard to grab even one with the plastic ball. LOL. I had been using a dead ink pen for marking.

@reddevil I googled self-centering hole punch but came up empty. Does it use an edge guide, or somehow center on the mark? Can you provide a link?

[reddevil76]

I have been using a straight pin, but with my big clumsy calloused fingertips it is hard to grab even one with the plastic ball. LOL. I had been using a dead ink pen for marking.

@reddevil I googled self-centering hole punch but came up empty. Does it use an edge guide, or somehow center on the mark? Can you provide a link?

It is a pointed spring loaded shaft in the middle of the handle. Once you position the point of the shaft on your marked hole, your hole punch is automatically centered.

Here is a Sailrite video showing one. (wonder why they use that creepy music in the video)

The video says it is for fabric. But it looks like any set sold by the hardware stores. Most of the people who buys these use them to make gaskets for automotive purposes.

Don't try to buy those cheap china made ones. I have tried one out, it doesn't even go through a piece of 3-4oz.

My local store has a set of UK origin. It punches through the piece of 4-5 oz I brought along cleanly. But it costs US$100 for a 10 piece set. I am still considering.

[reddevil76]

Here's another good example of one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-GASKET-WAD-WASHER-LEATHER-HOLLOW-HOLE-PUNCH-PUNCHER-SET-/290719581839?pt=AU_Hand_Tools&hash=item43b03cc68f

[Ferg]

You will find the self centering punches in woodworking catalogs as well as metal working catalogs. The punch actually slides inside of the barrel. The end of the unit is made so it centers in a hole.

http://www.garrettwade.com/product.asp?pn=35K08.01&ch=10S09.09&EID=W6061011&SID=W6061011&utm_source=googlepla&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CPmf5qTEqLACFUMCQAodTyDXUQ

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-58-013-Self-Centering-Screw-Punch/dp/B00002X1YB

I have one of the Stanley punches. Have had it for 40 years, use it occasionally in the shop, works fine.

I believe an Ace Hardware or possibly Lowe's, Home Depot, or Menards would have them.

ferg

I have been using a straight pin, but with my big clumsy calloused fingertips it is hard to grab even one with the plastic ball. LOL. I had been using a dead ink pen for marking.

@reddevil I googled self-centering hole punch but came up empty. Does it use an edge guide, or somehow center on the mark? Can you provide a link?

Edited May 30, 2012 by 50 years leather

[billymac814]

I'll add my experience here as well, I stumbled upon BRL and really liked the price and look of everything, the leather gauge is what I really was interested in so for the 8ish bucks I thought it was a great deal and shipping was only a buck or so so I added it to my cart and checked out. About an hour later I get an email saying that I got a 4.00 refund for being a LW member. I never even mentioned that I was a member so I'm not sure if they checked or what. I'd like to get some of my holster patterns made to and probably should but I have so many that I'm not sure where to start.

Does anyone have any pictures of the makers marks that they make? I'm in the market for a new one for my larger items, Brenda at Laser Gift Creations did all my other ones as well as some other custom stamps for me and I have no complaints but I'm always open for other options as well.

[mlapaglia]

They were selling them on eBay for a while, Its the rope border with only 2 lines of text. Top and bottom. Maker in the middle.

I could not find my picture of the one they have but its identical to the one Grey Ghost does. So I will show you what it looks like using one from Grey Ghost. (Forgive me Jeff)

1 inch was all they offered on eBay. It does not have a long shaft. Its short and uses the Tandy Hefty Handle to stamp it with. If you have the handle its not a bad deal. If you dont own one just go with Grey Ghost.