Who Makes A Good Oblong/slot/bag Punch?

[Andrew Chee]

I'm looking for good tools in the larger sizes. 1-1/4" and up. I have a few weaver in the smaller sizes and they're ok. I have one of theirs in 1" size and it takes a few whacks to punch through. I'm afraid to get anything larger from them. I tried a craftool at 1-1/2" but those are crap. Won't cut anything. Are Osborne punches any good? I'm looking for ones that will punch out of the box and don't require me to sharpen before first use. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Andrew

[J Hayes]

I'm looking for ones that will punch out of the box and don't require me to sharpen before first use. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Andrew

I'm not sure there is such a thing, if there is I'd like to know about it too! I had to put a lot of time into the ones I got from Osborne, now they are nice though.

Jeremy

[bruce johnson]

Pretty much going to have to sharpen them all as Jeremy said. Even sharp you need to use more force on a longer slot punches. The coning down and bevel effect is greater the bigger the punch and thicker leather just magnifies that even more. The punches from England don't have quite as much bevel and drive a little easier. Still I am driving most slot punches over 1" with a 3# maul on a 12x18x3 granite plate with a LDPE board on top.

[WScott]

I chose a Craftool over an Osbourne strap punch for a $20 saving. Had them both in my hands and went for the cost save.

When I got home and took the protective plastic off the blade it had what looked like a sprue attachment that was not polished off on the outside edge of the cutting surface.

If I didn't take 20 minutes to reshape and sharpen it, my straps would have a little nose bleb on them.

Live and learn. I got other Craft tool punches that were fine though.

You are going to have to re-sharpen anyways after a few uses, so buy a good tool and either learn to sharpen it yourself or take it to someone who can.

JMHO

[Andrew Chee]

Any tips on getting a consistent angle? Do you guys just do it by eye? I have a tormek so I can use guides which work we'll for the flat areas but don't work for the curved parts.

Andrew

[medsar]

I would use the universal tool rest (SVD-110) to get a consistent angle. You just have to be careful when rotating the punch. If you're really anal, you could make a half-round out of wood or plastic (radius equal to the distance from the handle to outer edge of the punch). then you rest the tool flat on the SVD-110 and when you want to do the edge of the punch, you have a 'rest' while you turn it 180 degrees (the half-round would support the handle as you rotate the punch).

upon re-reading...that doesn't sound very clear. Maybe I need a picture.