best hammer for large Oblong punch

[Boriqua]

12 hours ago, Red Cent said:

Mighty small footprint. I don't use blunt instruments anymore.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html

 

 

Are you using clicker dyes with that? Have you gone up to 1 5/8 x 1/4 oblong belt slots?

[Red Cent]

"I have been wanting  to get one and use it for punching and border tools. Does it make punching quicker on repetitive tasks? And do the tools stay sharper longer? "

I take a belt and lay it down the side of my table and mark, with a pencil, each hole. Then I take a pair of wing divides, find center and make a press mark at each pencil mark.  Move to the C press and place the punch over the mark and punch. Very quick. And I don't need an anvil or plate steel to take the force of the blow.

I doubt they stay sharper, but you will be able to punch a lot more holes before you sharpen them. I don't use it stamping borders or other such tasks. That would take more movement than a deadblow hammer and a stamping tool, I think.

"Are you using clicker dyes with that? Have you gone up to 1 5/8 x 1/4 oblong belt slots?"

When I do the belt slots in a pancake holster (8-9 ounce times two) I use the C press to punch round holes at the end s of the proposed slot. Then I go over to the 20 ton press and cut out the center material of the slot using a 1 1/2"  slot cutter. I can do it with the C press but it takes a lot of muscle to get the slot cutter through. I guess I could get the slot cutter ultra sharp and it would do the job. Air over hydraulic and clickers for the 20 ton press are in the "coming soon" category

The little press is a whiz doing eyelets and I use it for putting snaps on the leather. I believe the press will earn its value quickly.

Hint. The slotted wheel that sets under the ram is not conducive to leather making. Put it aside and get a 1/4" or so piece of steel to span the "U" shaped cavity in the base when the wheel is removed.  Probably a 6" x 4" by 1/4".  Place a piece of cutting board on top of that and go at it.

Don't get a 1/2 ton. Get the one ton.

 

Edited September 3, 2016 by Red Cent