LewSchiller Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Seeking advice to find the best way to achieve a 1" hole in 6-8 oz leather. I can't seem to find a hammer driven pnch that large. Is 1" too large for a manual punch? Any help appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree Reaper Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Search for "circle cutter" http://www.lionop.com/circle-cutters/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted October 21, 2013 http://www.toolexperts.com/hole-punch-set-leather-sheet-metal-gasket.html?gclid=CMP1uc2ZqLoCFSgSMwodO3AAdg This just one that comes up in a search. There are a bunch of em out there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewSchiller Report post Posted October 21, 2013 There are a lot of punch sets like that one - I just don't know if they'll work well on leather of that thickness. Hoping to hear from somebody who has tried them :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Depending on how precise you have to have that one inch hole, . . . I have made a number of tools and punches out of electrical contuit (in the trade it's called EMT, . . . Electro Metallic Tubing). That 1 inch EMT if cut off to a piece about 9 inches long, . . . taken to a sander, . . . and the outside edge laid up against the sander, . . . so a sharpened edge is created on the interior edge, . . . you will have wonderful punch that is very close to 1 inch in diameter. You DO NOT whack it to make the hole, . . . you tap, tap, tap it around the top edge, . . . holding the punch firmly down on the leather. You can do the same for 1/2, 3/4, 1 1/4, 1 1/2, and 2 inch. Just be careful and not burn the edge as you sharpen it, . . . that will seriously weaken that section of the edge, . . . and it will become very dull, . . . very quick. Some folks who have seen these punches of mine complain that you have to sharpen them more than the "professional" ones, . . . but when your punch costs fifty cents instead of 75 dollars, . . . yeah, . . . I can sharpen it a bit more often. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Pretty sure I have a 1" round arch punch for sale. Price on it would be $20 plus shipping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewSchiller Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Hadn't thought of sharpening conduit but I can see how that could work. I've sent Bruce a PM...if I can get a single 1" I'll take it. I don't need a whole set :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petersenj20 Report post Posted October 25, 2013 Mechanic sockets of the right size would make great punches as these are already hardened. Just be careful not to overheat thereby destroying the temper. I actually plan on making some of these on the lathe once I'm back on my feet. Now that I think of it i could make some to sell very very cheap. Especially the bigger sizes that would normally cost a fortune. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjolnir131 Report post Posted October 25, 2013 OR you could buy a one inch punch from Osborn whack it with a three pound maul and be done with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger J Report post Posted October 25, 2013 If you happen to have deep pockets: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32189&cat=1,43456,32189 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
