$35 hole puncher

[Rik Palm]

Well, Harbor Freight sent me a $5 coupon so I picked up a $39 drill press for $35. I wanted to make a sheath hole puncher (I'm really tired of hammering the needle through). So I stripped the drill press down and made a adjustable wooden needle foot for it (thats only waxed). Also I made the center hole large for swapping out different shaped needle hole plugs, for example when doing pouch sheaths it will be raised up abit and that way the pouchs thickness doesn't get in the way keeping the needle parallel going through the seam. Also I've made a "zero" tolerance one too for flat sheaths. Its pretty portable so I can take out of the shop if I want. Even ended up with a small motor w/switch too boot! Hopefully it will make my sheath making easier

[Don Cowles]

Cool, Rik! Very clever!

[rhrocker]

Good idea Rik! Your a master craftsman and a craftsman's master all in one!

[Sweany]

KEWL BRO.

It's on my list next time they go on sale>

[Terry_Dodson]

so, you just poke the hole thru, not drill it thru right? :confused:

[Rik Palm]

Hi Terry,
Yes, just for poking the holes. I use a diamond shaped (bladed?) needle, the shank is round.

Rik

[Gene Chapman]

Rik, I tried one of my leather needles in my drill press, first just drilled it through some leather at about 1000 rpm, it spun through fine. Next without the spindle turning just punched through the leather (horse hide leather) It punched fine but wanted to stick a bit.

Good idea of yours for punching leather.

[howiesatwork]

Gene,
Dampen the leather a bit, so it's a bit softer. Wax the awl needle often. Keep the hold-down clamp close to the area being punched and it should be a little smoother.

Rik, this is a lot easier than doing it in a stiching horse... I'm going to put some cam clamps on instead of the hold-down knobs - for faster repositioning.

Thanks for the ideas,
Howard Fairchild,
Displaced Texan