Any help on punching a clean tip on the end of a strap? >>

[DONAG]

I place my English tip punch at the end of my strap.  Check both side to see the amount of overhang and rarely get a good cut

I have the center marked, so I know the tip is in the middle

Angle is 50% of the time off which means I have to re-cut the tip.  Little heavier to the left or right

I'm using a 1" punch for 22, 24 and 26 mm.  I have a 3/4" for 18 and 20 mm

A section that was supposed to be 125 mm is now 120 as I had to cut it 3 times to get it close to even

Thanks

DON

[alpha2]

I do what you are describing, and don't have the issue. I'd suggest putting lines on your table, outlining the strap, and the ends of the punch, to align it. And yes, the big thing is the center has to be in the right place.

Other than that, I'd suggest cutting a long piece of strap and practicing for a bit.

Jeff

[DONAG]

Funny thing is.  When I do tests cuts.  Works fine.  When I do the actual strap.  50/50.  Like it has a mind of it's own and knows 

I have Rhino board on my downstairs desk, but will check a cheap cutting board to see if it has lines on it.  Rhino board doesn't have them

Thanks

DON

[Squilchuck]

I put the two lower points of the punch on the cutting board, then pivot forward to place the tip in the center.  That helps but is not perfect all the time.  Might do a couple times to make sure of even distance between strap and bottom end of punch before hitting the punch.  Or might reverse order - point first then bottom. --John  

[Dwight]

I have a similar problem with oval punching the holes for some of my belts.

How I've "cured it" is to first hit a very light stroke, . . . allowing me to see if it is where it should be, . . . adjusting if necessary, . . . then punching.

My belt holes have become significantly better since I started that practice.

Try it, . . . just might work for you as well.

May God bless,

Dwight

[klstclair]

I have found my subscription to Nigel Armitage's (Dangerous Beans) Vimeo series of 57 videos valuable for things like this. Episode 20 covers Strap end punch centering and Episode 21 covers Using a crew bag oblong punch. Information is available at: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/armitageleather.

Well worth the small monthly fee of less than US$4.00

Enjoy,

Kevin

[JLSleather]

SOunds like you might benefit from a template and a knife.  My preference, template and a sharp knife trumps a punch.  Or if you're doing 10+ per week consistently, certainly would warrant purchasing a die, which would incorporate "wings" to line up the piece to the strap.

[DONAG]

Thanks guys.  Will try different things.

Die doesn't help as I'm working with different widths and tapers

Can't do a light stroke tap.  If not right.  it's on the face of the strap and customer will see it

Will do tests tomorrow and see what works best

DON

[Squilchuck]

Tandy sells nice templates with a half dozen strap sizes in one - round and tapered.  I use them too with a knife. --John

[DONAG]

41 minutes ago, Squilchuck said:

Tandy sells nice templates with a half dozen strap sizes in one - round and tapered.  I use them too with a knife. --John

Saw that, but in Canada it's $36.00 with a jacked up exchange rate,  tax and s/h

I'm stuck between stores which are at opposite ends of two district city limits, so getting out there is a chore

Will just keep practising, but will check Ebay on the template

DON

Bought a template off Amazon just to have and included free s/h.  Same price as Canadian store price with exchange rate.  Just don't have to drive out to get it or pay for s/h

Edited November 6, 2018 by DONAG