Is There A Tool That Will Punch Holes In A Line When Making A Watch Strap?

[CloudySky]

Its really easy to see if one hole is even slightly misplaced, so a tool that automates this process would be ideal. I'm punching them individually now and I'm not 100% satisfied with the results

[veedub3]

I am new in the leather working world and I am having the same issue, even with one whole out of line it is noticeable to me so I purchased this gadget from Black River Laser on Ebay. I am working on a phone case now and it is a big difference compared to the one I did when I did not use this tool. Looks much neater and more professional looking to me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140887893932?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Karina

[CloudySky]

I need something like that, but with bigger holes. The tine of the buckle on the strap is large enough that the holes have to be punched rather than just poked (leather needs to be removed). Thanks for you contribution; i think this points me in the right direction.

[Tzalabak]

The holes shown in that listing are punched. They are just using the scratch awl to mark the location they will punch. That's pretty much exactly what you need, I think.

[tnawrot2]

Once you mark the location of the holes with an awl, do not try to center you punch over the mark. put the edge of your punch on the mark. This way you will have uniform spacing.

[billymac814]

What he said.

Once you mark the location of the holes with an awl, do not try to center you punch over the mark. put the edge of your punch on the mark. This way you will have uniform spacing.

[CloudySky]

Thanks for all the tips guys!! After some practice, I've gotten better. I also just mark all of the holes in the leather with the punch before I actually punch them.

I'm going to make a tool to do this though. I just ordered these parts from Tandy and I'll get a small steel plate made at my local machine shop that will allow me to screw in 4 of those tips in a row. Then I can just align this new tool and hammer the steel plate a few times to punch the holes.

[Cyberthrasher]

I'm going to make a tool to do this though. I just ordered these parts from Tandy and I'll get a small steel plate made at my local machine shop that will allow me to screw in 4 of those tips in a row. Then I can just align this new tool and hammer the steel plate a few times to punch the holes.

Uhm, they make those already. There's also one available with several sizes in one tool.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/3052-00.aspx