Members Rock Posted February 9, 2015 Members Report Posted February 9, 2015 Hello everyone I know someone got the answer to my dilemma, I saw some serious intelligent answers here. I only have a PHD ( Public Highschool Diploma) I'm making a guitar strap 2 3/4 inch wide and the costumer ( my 16 yrs old niece) want a few hole in the middle with seal skin inlay. I have the Seal skin but how do I do the big hole like 2 inch diameter so it is clean can I use my drill press with a 2 inch bit the round one that we use for cabinet maket for the hinges? Any help will be great. Quote
AndyL1 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) This tool might be worth it if you're planning on doing more. Pair this with an X-Acto knife and you'd have nice circles. http://windfiredesigns.com/Tools/CircleTool/index.html Maybe a less expensive route is cut around some big fender washers from the hardware store? Edited February 9, 2015 by AndyL1 Quote Blackthorn Leather on Etsy • Blackthorn Leather on Facebook
electrathon Posted February 9, 2015 Report Posted February 9, 2015 The one time use answer is to get a piece of pipe or conduit and sharpen it with a grinder. Drive it through. It will not last long, but will make nice holes. Quote
Contributing Member JLSleather Posted February 10, 2015 Contributing Member Report Posted February 10, 2015 If you already have a drill press and a circle cutter, yes - you can use that. I wouldn't use a spade bit, but a hole cutter would be fine (moderately fine tooth and sharp) Quote "Observation is 9/10 of the law." IF what you do is something that ANYBODY can do, then don't be surprised when ANYBODY does.
Members Dwight Posted February 10, 2015 Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) Electrathon gave you the cat's meow answer. Piece of conduit about 10 inches long, . . . lay one end up against a disc sander or a belt sander, . . . go slow, . . . sharpen it on a bevel back up about 3/8 of an inch, . . . take a round file to the inside when you get done, . . . cut your holes in the strap with another piece of scrap leather under your guitar strap. I make almost all my punches out of pipe, conduit, or tubing, . . . figure I've probably saved about $500 or so over the last 10 years. Plus I have some unique punches that nobody but me makes (that I know of). Here are a few of them. May God bless, Dwight Edited February 10, 2015 by Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members Rock Posted February 10, 2015 Author Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 Good evening Thank you so much for the answers, a trip to the store tomorrow and I'm getting some pipes, but now I need to showel the driveway again, anyone want some free snow? You pick it and it is your...lol Quote
Members pg043 Posted February 10, 2015 Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 Electrathon gave you the cat's meow answer. Piece of conduit about 10 inches long, . . . lay one end up against a disc sander or a belt sander, . . . go slow, . . . sharpen it on a bevel back up about 3/8 of an inch, . . . take a round file to the inside when you get done, . . . cut your holes in the strap with another piece of scrap leather under your guitar strap. I make almost all my punches out of pipe, conduit, or tubing, . . . figure I've probably saved about $500 or so over the last 10 years. Plus I have some unique punches that nobody but me makes (that I know of). Here are a few of them. May God bless, Dwight That's really cool! I have made my own punches out of sockets before, but this looks way easier and cleaner. How long do those hold an edge? What kind of conduit works best? To the OP, you can try the hole saw but I have some concerns about how clean the edge might be. If it's 2" diameter though it will be big enough for you to clean it up with some sandpaper and burnishing. Quote
Members BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted February 10, 2015 Members Report Posted February 10, 2015 The hole saw will tear it up. When punching it is best to use end grain wood under the punch. I use the ends of 4x4s at work when I have to punch a hole. Cross grain can dent, and dull the edge. End grain just let's the punch edge bury in between the wood fibers. Use a soft wood like fir, or pine. Quote You laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at you because you are all the same.
AndyL1 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Posted February 10, 2015 Electrathon gave you the cat's meow answer. Piece of conduit about 10 inches long, . . . lay one end up against a disc sander or a belt sander, . . . go slow, . . . sharpen it on a bevel back up about 3/8 of an inch, . . . take a round file to the inside when you get done, . . . cut your holes in the strap with another piece of scrap leather under your guitar strap. I make almost all my punches out of pipe, conduit, or tubing, . . . figure I've probably saved about $500 or so over the last 10 years. Plus I have some unique punches that nobody but me makes (that I know of). Here are a few of them. May God bless, Dwight That is awesome! Love the different shapes you made. I'd like to retract my reply above! Haha! Quote Blackthorn Leather on Etsy • Blackthorn Leather on Facebook
Tree Reaper Posted February 10, 2015 Report Posted February 10, 2015 The NT circle cutter makes nice clean holes in leather. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NT-Cutter-iC-1500P-Leathercraft-Circle-Compass-Cutter-for-Leather-with-6-Blades-/111560558611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f9870813 Quote
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