Punching Leather

S

syh

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Not talkin about leather punching bags!

I'm doing some leatherworking, and have a pattern of small holes that I need to make to pass rivets through. I thought about putting the belt up on my 3 axis CNC mini-mill, and chucking up an awl or a punch, and just using the down pressure to push it, or maybe making some holes with a very small drill.

Anyone ever try this?
 
I just find a small metal thin wall tube the diameter I want---bevel sharpen it--cut a small side section out about 1/2" from the cutting end for the leather plugs to clean out-----put in the drill press and the spinning motion and down pressure on a piece of wood works nice----ballpoint ink pen tubes would be ok and about the right size---if too small to cut a side section out then just use a small rod to push the plugs out -------- Dave
 
What Dave said but some people use a mallet and a piece of wood backing to punch holes in leather.
 
syh said:
Not talkin about leather punching bags!

I'm doing some leatherworking, and have a pattern of small holes that I need to make to pass rivets through. I thought about putting the belt up on my 3 axis CNC mini-mill, and chucking up an awl or a punch, and just using the down pressure to push it, or maybe making some holes with a very small drill.

Anyone ever try this?
Click to expand...

Depending on the size of the hole, I either use an awl or a tube as described by Dave. I have a set of gasket punches which are the same design. I use a mallet and back the leather up with a piece of Delrin or acrylic. Wood has a grain to it and can deflect the punch edge or curl it. If using wood, I would use end grain rather than punch across grain.

I have drilled 1/4" soft rubber sheet with hollow drills rather than punch it because the rubber tends to deform less that way but that should not be and issue with leather.

Bob
 
+1 on hollow punches backed up with wood end grain.

David
 
A hint... bevel the tube on the inside this will give a better result
I use heavy wall brass from the hobby shop...
 
i used to make the holes in a leather belt by heating up a nail and burning them in
leaves a nice finish
 
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