Tinkering To Save Cash...aka....keeping The Tool Budget Down

[BDAZ]

28 minutes ago, akguy59 said:

It looks like I have a money saver to include. I have been making leather bracelets that are 1 1/8" wide. As I looked on line for strap end punches I was surprised to find that it would cost me $50 or more for one.

I remembered that we have a washer punch at work that is made out of 2 hole saw blades with the teeth ground off and sharpened.. I thought I would try this idea to make a punch and see how it would cut. I ground off the teeth and ground half the diameter up about 3/8" then sharpened it and it gives me a beautiful smooth round end to my strap. Being these bits are made of pretty decent steel it should last a long time. It cost me $10 for the cup saw but if you have one laying around it would be practically free. Good luck all.

You can get a used but reconditioned and sharpened punch from Bruce Johnson for $35. $35 - $10 = $25 net cost, add in the cost of your time and the fact that you still have a saw blade instead of a quality US made Osborne punch.... Not a good deal IMHO.

Bob