Members SouthernCross Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 I need to get a punch to make belt slots for my holsters. Are the C.S. Osborne punches of adequate quality? Quote
Members Mattsbagger Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 I have the ones from Tandy any they work well. You have to clean up the edge but from what I've heard you need to on the Osborne too. Quote
Members SouthernCross Posted October 8, 2017 Author Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 Matt, the cheap ones or the more expensive ones from Tandy? Quote
Members Mattsbagger Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 I have the black ones. Haven't tried the economy ones. I know a few members make punches from wiring conduit. Quote
Members SouthernCross Posted October 8, 2017 Author Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 10-4. Thanks. Quote
Members JKHelms Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 They are good punches. Should do what you want. Quote
480volt Posted October 8, 2017 Report Posted October 8, 2017 I’d ask Bruce Johnson if he has anything available. Not everything he had is listed on his site. If you buy from him, it will be sharp and polished right out of the box. Quote
Members Mattsbagger Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 3 hours ago, SouthernCross said: 10-4. Thanks. Another truck driver? Lol Quote
Members chiefjason Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 I use a hole punch and a 1.5" skiving knife to connect the holes. A lot of my customers were a specific belt by another member of the forum. I have one and they are really thick. The punches are nowhere near wide enough to accommodate his bets without a lot of effort. I have one, tried to use it, and gave up. Thought about making my own but my method works just fine. Been accused of making belt slots look like keyholes, but nobody that buys them has complained about it. Quote
Members SouthernCross Posted October 8, 2017 Author Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 53 minutes ago, Mattsbagger said: Another truck driver? Lol No. Ihadn't noticed the KW logo before, either. I usually say "Roger" or "Roger that", which then leads folks to ask if I am prior military, which I am. But I never talked on a radio. LOL 24 minutes ago, chiefjason said: I use a hole punch and a 1.5" skiving knife to connect the holes. A lot of my customers were a specific belt by another member of the forum. I have one and they are really thick. The punches are nowhere near wide enough to accommodate his bets without a lot of effort. I have one, tried to use it, and gave up. Thought about making my own but my method works just fine. Been accused of making belt slots look like keyholes, but nobody that buys them has complained about it. Roger that, chief. Quote
Members jimi Posted October 8, 2017 Members Report Posted October 8, 2017 I have some Osborne punches and personally think they are very good. Quote
Members malabar Posted October 12, 2017 Members Report Posted October 12, 2017 (edited) On 10/8/2017 at 8:06 AM, SouthernCross said: I need to get a punch to make belt slots for my holsters. Are the C.S. Osborne punches of adequate quality? SC, When I started doing leatherwork, I was buying all of my equipment from Tandy. One day I got to talking to the manager of the store, and I mentioned that the edge of one of my Tandy punches had crumbled. He told me in no uncertain terms that I needed to buy my tools from Osborne, which Tandy does not sell. I took his advice and haven't look back. The quality is much higher and the price is not that different. I've got a couple of dozen tools from Osborne. I use them on a daily basis and have no gripes with them. Edited October 12, 2017 by malabar Quote
Members malabar Posted October 12, 2017 Members Report Posted October 12, 2017 On 10/8/2017 at 3:19 PM, chiefjason said: I use a hole punch and a 1.5" skiving knife to connect the holes. A lot of my customers were a specific belt by another member of the forum. I have one and they are really thick. The punches are nowhere near wide enough to accommodate his bets without a lot of effort. I have one, tried to use it, and gave up. Thought about making my own but my method works just fine. Been accused of making belt slots look like keyholes, but nobody that buys them has complained about it. Unfortunately, this is true. I find myself using this method more and more. Instead of the knife, I use a Japanese chisel, which literally takes a shaving-sharp edge. It makes it very quick. Quote
Members SouthernCross Posted October 12, 2017 Author Members Report Posted October 12, 2017 Thanks, guys. Since we're talking Osborne tools - what size, and specific model, edger would best serve me for general work, mainly holsters where I'm edging both single and double-thickness 7-9 oz leathers? Quote
Members Josh Ashman Posted October 12, 2017 Members Report Posted October 12, 2017 I used a Osborne #3 common edger for years. I've since moved on to the cheaper no-name bissonnet edgers that Weaver sells. I also have Osborne western edgers in #3 and #4, but they always seem to scar the edge. It's probably me, not the tool but I never had the problem with the common style, just the western ones. I've used the Osborne 3/4" and 1/2" heavy bag punches for years and been very happy with them. Also use Osborn round punched from 1/8" up to 5/16" and am happy with them. For holster belt slots I punch a round hole at the top and bottom and cut between them with a head knife. I like it because I cam make the slots any width I like that way. Anyway, my 2c is that Osborne tools are good quality and hold up to years of use. Josh Quote
Members chiefjason Posted October 12, 2017 Members Report Posted October 12, 2017 4 hours ago, malabar said: Unfortunately, this is true. I find myself using this method more and more. Instead of the knife, I use a Japanese chisel, which literally takes a shaving-sharp edge. It makes it very quick. The French skivving knife looks a lot like a chisel. Mine is 1.5" wide. I keep it sharp enough to just press it right through 2 layers of 8-9 oz leather. Either would work great, Japanese steel is usually very good stuff. To the last question I use a #3 for general use on 2 layers or 12 oz and up single layer. I use a #2 on 7oz single layer and less. Quote
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