What Is Best Surface Material For Hole Punching On Bench.

[olfart]

I use the end grain of a cedar 4"X6" post. It gives plenty of support, yet soft enough to prevent damage to a punch.

[chrisash]

I cannot see how using anything apart from another piece of leather can be good for keeping a sharp edge

Leather as a back stop brings the punch to a controlled stop gently, all the others Poly, wood or Lead have little give and certainly less than leather. Run your knife over a poly board and how far does it go in the same with lead and wood, yet it cuts through leather with the same force, so to me leather makes the best stop and the easiest to renew

Then again maybe i'm missing something

[TheCyberwolfe]

On 3/22/2018 at 3:25 AM, chrisash said:

I cannot see how using anything apart from another piece of leather can be good for keeping a sharp edge

Leather as a back stop brings the punch to a controlled stop gently, all the others Poly, wood or Lead have little give and certainly less than leather. Run your knife over a poly board and how far does it go in the same with lead and wood, yet it cuts through leather with the same force, so to me leather makes the best stop and the easiest to renew

Then again maybe i'm missing something

The lead is softer than you think it is, and does make for a good backstop. That being said, lead is a very dangerous material and I wouldn't recommend it for use anywhere other than bullets and fishing sinkers. Considering the toxicity of a number of other products we work with, it would seem to me a better idea to try and reduce our exposure and not use toxic metals.

Scrap leather does a fine job, and is a by-product of the project you just made so it's not like you have to go out of your way to get more. If one layer isn't thick enough, use several.

[Ed the Hunter]

Lead is going to be absorbed into the leather project if it comes in contact with a lead block.  That means anyone handling the project afterwards will be coming in contact with the contaminants. Lead exposure occurs through inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin.  Children and pregnant women are at higher risk then men, but lead can accumulate and be stored in your body for up to 30 years.  Using a lead block when punching holes is likely to only be a minor exposure concern, however, if you do enough of it, over time you could end up with a significant chronic lead exposure.  After spending 30 years in the hazardous materials consulting field, I would discourage using a lead block as a base for leather working.

IMO, a softwood stump, or better yet a soft hardwood stump, such as a large diameter piece of aspen firewood, placed on end, with a piece of heavy leather on top of it is the best choice. 

[zuludog]

Since I no longer had a lead block I used an old magazine as a temporary measure, and it worked very well. That was years ago, and I'm still doing it. I just replace them when they get worn

Edited January 14, 2020 by zuludog

[paloma]

for me it's certainly lead.To make some holes for rivets or anything like ,there is no risk of contamination .

[DV8DUG]

1/3rd of the gravestone I use for a granite tooling slab is covered with a thick piece of scrap veg-tan 12-14 oz. Contact cement REALLY holds when applied correctly.

[StickHer]

anyone know of a cheap solution you can buy at your local walmart/homedepot/ hobylobby preferably under 10$

[Dwight]

6 hours ago, StickHer said:

anyone know of a cheap solution you can buy at your local walmart/homedepot/ hobylobby preferably under 10$

IF you have a solid backing underneath it . . . the white cutting boards sold in housewares are good.  

AND they are cheap.  They will get marked up a bit after several month's use . . . simply flip em over and use the other side.

They're also cheap to replace.

Lay it on a piece of marble or granite . . . and whack away.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited May 15, 2021 by Dwight

[chuck123wapati]

6 hours ago, StickHer said:

anyone know of a cheap solution you can buy at your local walmart/homedepot/ hobylobby preferably under 10$

about a six inch end piece of a log or a 4x4 . for free at a construction site of lumber yard