Question about oblong punch holes

[johnv474]

Instead of marking where you want to put your punch, use your scratch awl and put a dot at either end of where you want the hole to go.  Then, scratch a center line between those two.  Obviously you won't be able to see that when you are punching, so put a small dot about 1/8" - 1/4" to either side of the center line.  Do this at both ends of the center line.

 

For repeat use, a template can be made that has those holes premeasured so you just line up the template and make your dots (or, even, have the exact oblong punch hole cut out of the template and just trace it with your scratch awl).

 

The idea with the dots is that, since you can't see the center line, when you put your oblong punch into place you can visually center each end between the dots on either side of the center line.