How Do You Do Holes?

[dfivdayz]

Ok i'm asking it...

How do yall do your holes especially in thick leather 3/8"+???

I want to achieve clean holes front and back...i am aligned, the front looks good but its like the back got done with a broom handle...i use a dremel and the little press and it has really helped in getting everything looking straight its just the back..ive used 110degree-135degree-brad point and the pilot point drill bits...i know its probably something like crossing my toes when i pull the handle down...i just need to know which toes...!!!!!!.....help..help...

thanks for any help

Edited September 27, 2012 by dfivdayz

[Tree Reaper]

Are you drilling into wood beyond the leather?

[electrathon]

I use sewing machine needles as drill bits.

[dfivdayz]

i drill into leather...ive never tried wood..

and to clarify...im talking about holes like 1/8" +

[Tree Reaper]

Then that's part of your problem.

Put wood under the leather to support it.

[jimsaddler]

Use a firm Punch Board to punch on. I use a Lead block. Nylon cutting Boards are good, end grain Hardwood etc. I never drill because of the burning effect of the Drill bit friction. Kindest Regards. Jim Saddler.

[bruce johnson]

If they are the standard round screw in punches like mini-punches and maxi-punches I chuck the handle into a drill press and spin them on in. It makes a clean hole and pulls right out easily, No cranking the punch back and forth trying to pull it out of hard or thick leather. The holes are smooth. I use scrap cutting board on the drill press table as a backer.

[Slicknick]

I personally prefer to just mark where I need the hole using a stylus, line it up with a punch, and give it a few solid whacks with my rawhide mallet.

[TwinOaks]

If you've got the right sized chuck, you can mount just about any punch in a drill. That will yield a better hole because even spinning, a punch slices the leather, where a drill bit has a tendency to tear the leather.

I picked up one of the multi-punch sets a long while back and one of the things I noticed is that the tip has a LOT of shoulder to it - much more than a dedicated punch does. I chucked up the handle and spun the bits against a belt sander to make them more tapered. It made a world of difference when using them.