Hand punch for holes for Blevins buckles?

[Wizcrafts]

Does anybody know if there is a drop forged hand pliers hole punch available, or custom built, to punch the big holes used on wide, thick stirrup straps for Blevins buckles? I think the holes are either 1/4" or a smidgen wider. I sure could use one to add holes up the top end of a strap where it gets harder and harder to position the strap on a punching block on the end of a table while the customer holds the saddle just so.

I already have regular forged hole punch pliers and they cannot accept a huge hole like I need for a Blevins stud. Even if they could, the anvils are too small.

I'm hoping for a link to one for sale. Thanks in advance, Wiz

[cowboycolonel]

Wiz,

 

I haven't been able to find anything along those lines, and am not adept at twisting and turning my work accordingly.  Invariably I pull the fenders and leathers and use the Blevins (or Kreger) to get the proper spacing and then tap a #12 punch. 

[Wizcrafts]

8 minutes ago, cowboycolonel said:

Wiz,

 

I haven't been able to find anything along those lines, and am not adept at twisting and turning my work accordingly.  Invariably I pull the fenders and leathers and use the Blevins (or Kreger) to get the proper spacing and then tap a #12 punch. 

I found that Osborne makes single hole punches in these widths. They are expensive at Weaver Leather, but available in sizes up to #10, which is 5/16" diameter. Their #8 tube is 1/4" I.D. What is the diameter of your #12 punch that you use for Blevins?

[cowboycolonel]

5/16  -- # 10 is 17/64

[Wizcrafts]

Thanks for your info. This helps. I will probably order a #153-10 frame with a #10 punch tube and get a #9 tube with it (both work in a #10 frame).

[cowboycolonel]

I'd thinnk there should be at least 2" clearance from anvil to hinge, or a proper 3" stirrup leather will not fit. That's why I prefer to use the singe strike punches.