Oblong Punch That Won't, Grrrrrr

[DoubleC]

OK< so I get a heavy duty oblong punch that practically takes a bank loan to buy. Of course no instructions come with it, and I couldn't get it to punch through a concho. So I tried a piece of left over leather that had been dyed but wet it, and again, and again and it did finally punch through. The silver color on the end is angled, have no idea why. I'm assuming it's a directional thing, but have no idea if the wide part goes right or left. Do you need to use these on cased but not yet colored leather? And what is the angle for? I'm so frustrated at being bumfuzzled over something this simple. All help appreciated. Cheryl

[bruce johnson]

Who made it? Is this a new punch? If so most of them need sharpening help, some more than others. Some of the newer Osborne oval punches have a heck of an angle on them and can bind on thicker leathers. I took a couple and really flattened the bevel and made them better. That takes a fair amount of time to make them work. Once they are sharp they ought to cut most any kind of leather without a lot of effort.

[DoubleC]

Yes first time I used it. I think it's an Osborne from TLF but it may be another brand. So I should strop it? Should I wet the leather too? Odd I can remember wincing from hitting the buy at 40 bucks more than I can if it's Osborne or not :-) The leather I'm trying to cut isn't thick, maybe 1/16th of an inch?

[DoubleC]

OK Bruce I stropped it until my arms fell off but no noticing much difference? Does it need a whetstone too? Or just a good toss out in the street? Thanks, Cheryl

[Northmount]

Look at this post and scroll down to rickybobby and to Bruce's comments. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=36751&st=0&p=227224&hl=+oblong%20+punch&fromsearch=1entry227224 Need proper board to punch against, solid support, and heavy enough mallet.

CTG

[DoubleC]

Thanks.... mallet's got me I'm sure. So need to get one of those before I start whining....going to the thread. Cheryl

[bruce johnson]

If it is an Osborne, it will be stamped on the handle. TLF may still sell a few Osborne tools, but they phased most of them out a few years ago. It sure could be one that was made for them. In eiother case if it really cones down you might need to do some serious reshaping. That will take a some profiling with a coarse stone and then finer to remove the grit marks until it looks pretty good. Follow that up with stropping if you feel the need. The edge needs to be sharp and a very slight bevel inside to prevent the edge from rolling.

[DoubleC]

Thank you Bruce. It's a Taiwan Tandy special so no, not Osborne. first time I looked on the handle. And besides needing sharpening, I realized my 2 YO cheap wooden mallet from Tandy is no longer going to get it. I'll be over to see what you have available. Thanks for your help. Cheryl

[Glendon]

This is one of the reasons I stopped buying at Tandy quick, fast, and in a hurry after I found this forum. A few of the advertisers here still sell Osborne's and other intermediate tools I guess you could call them. Maybe not up to some of the other full pro grade tools, but magnitudes better then the Tandy off brands. I personally go to Springfield first, but there are others too. I don't go to Tandy at all unless they have one of their super sales.

[DoubleC]

I checked Springfield and got this one a few bucks cheaper than theirs on eBay. You get what you pay for, what can I say. And I'm just now starting to buy what I'd call good tools. Fortunately I did get my end punch at SLC. Now I need a maul. My fault, I should have been picking these up a little at a time but hindsight is 20-20. When I decided I wanted to make a guitar strap for a friend, all these tools I needed to get hit me pretty hard but of course they aren't gonna disappear after the first strap. But no making it now until the first of the month because I just can't spend anymore this month Glendon.