The best Hole Punches: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

I did an ork warboss with plasticard armor not too long ago.

I highly, highly recommend you buy a multi-size leather punch. You can use it to cut out tons of circular rivets to add details to your panels. Even better is the sheets with the lots of holes punched into them can be added on top to get a nice scrap armor junk aesthetic. The punch is a great modeling investment.

Using cut up plasticard rods as rivets does work but it takes ages, and you don’t get wonderful damaged armor panels to use as details.

With the plasticard try to cut some pieces with uneven and slanted edges, to really reenforce the haphazard construction.

If you have access to any broken small electronics like computer mice or speakers or a remote control, tear it open to look for interestingly shaped pieces of plastic that won’t be easily recognizable.

With greenstuff, using silicon tipped tools is best, but if you don’t have them you can get by with some metal framing nails kept wet to use as a tool to pull the greenstuff and blend it with the body of the toy animal.

To adjust some of the ones you already have, you might want to look into getting a hole puncher!

I use this baby for shoes, belts, purse straps... couldn't live without it.

You only learn by making mistakes my dude. Dropping stich holes in thick leather is still the hardest thing for me. I ended up buying this press thing on Amazon that I can put my chisels in. It helps with keeping it straight. It also works good with stamps.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_1A9J7ZZTP4K9R0GAP9S6

One of these helped me. For thicker stuff you can use it to at least get the holes started. Stay away from the stitching chisel pliers, unless you can find quality ones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_glt_fabc_BTPXYM8A19WSATB03PMA

Handheld hole punch works pretty good for a quiet hole punching session. https://www.amazon.com/Revolving-including-Screwdriver-Grinding-Saddle/dp/B06XRDBGY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=leather+hole+punch&qid=1607890256&sr=8-3

They make presses/punches so you don’t have to hammer. It has a chuck that holds your tooling (punch, pricking iron, whatever), and you just pull the handle down.

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Puncher-Punching-Machine-Aluminum/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=111015155976&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvoaoxqaO_AIVCVNyCh2k7AyfEAAYAiAAEgLSE_D_BwE&hvadid=631614901823&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9017148&...

I’ve never personally used one, but it seems simple enough to operate.

I got you.

Should be this one

I am a total beginner to Leather Crafting.

Unfortunately, I live in a condo and I don't want to bother my neighbor after work.

I saw this on Amazon with good review and wonder if there is a downside to getting a manual press puncher? I also read that people use Arbor Press as well? Which one is easier to use for beginner and is there any downside compare to mallet?

https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Puncher-Punching-Machine-Aluminum/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I use one of those leather hole punches with different size holes. Works great. Amazon link if anyone has never seen one before.

Get a small press on amazon like this here. I lived on the top floor of a studio apartment after college and the people around me were going to flip a lid any day. I had build a 4x4 workbench and put foam under the feet to dampen the hammer blows traveling through the bench and into the floor. This wasn't enough and the so I eventually opted for a mini tool press. Anything I have to hammer goes on a steel plate that is on top of like a stack of compression foam.

this style of punch works well on thin metal and you can change out the head for different hole sizes.

Just did a quick Amazon search, not neccesarily recommending this exact one.

Well, it's not hydraulic, just manual. This is pretty much what I use.

(Please note that what I make, though, is not the typical wallets/watchstraps/bags that most people here do. What I use meets my needs - your mileage may vary!)

A hole punch will not work, get a sheet metal power punch, I have one of these, https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-02612A-Multi-Purpose-Power-Punch/dp/B0002T87CW/ There's quite a few different brands some cheaper this is just the one I got. Here's an example of the discs it makes. https://imgur.com/F9qrlR4

I'm about to have this problem. Moving to an apartment where the walls are thin enough that the neighbors can hear the pounding. Thinking of buying a good arbor press and modifying it with 3D printed parts to use it as a with a stitch punch, die cutter, stamp tool, and rivets. Looking at this one right now. It's going to need a larger base and a much longer handle.

I suggest getting a leather chisel press, something like this. They can be really hit or miss so you might get a bad one and they do need some adjustment, but after getting it set up it's great. You just line up the stitch holes and pull the lever. It helps to have a longer chisel like with 10 prongs too. Recently I bought a set of these chisels and really like them.

Oh and make sure you have a straight line on the leather by using wing dividers too.

You can use these with LC (I do), just don't inject through them. Like you said in an earlier post, one SHIP and one of those for a filter. If you're really interested in making your own lids, I use these and they are a life saver.

Sure! I bought this one from Amazon Canada. Here's a photo of what the extra hole looks like (its the hole next to my thumb). I punched it over a year ago and still no cracking, and its the only hole I use!

Hey, find a picture on my phone, not a great one... Punch

Basically similar to this product Soiiw Leather Hole Puncher Hand Punching Machine Heavy Duty Manual Press Puncher Punch Tools for DIY Leather Craft Punching Holes with 1.5-13mm Clamping Chuck https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B089658K5F/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YPV3REFP2S6GQQXSF519

I put a punch board underneath and magnets on the side to attach my tools,

Hey, find a picture on my phone, not a great one... Punch

Basically similar to this product Soiiw Leather Hole Puncher Hand Punching Machine Heavy Duty Manual Press Puncher Punch Tools for DIY Leather Craft Punching Holes with 1.5-13mm Clamping Chuck https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B089658K5F/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YPV3REFP2S6GQQXSF519

I put a punch board underneath and magnets on the side to attach my tools,

After trying to drill a few I ended up ordering a sheet metal punch that I'm sure I'll use for other things around the house. It was hard drilling through such thin metal and would never be smooth or an even circle.

You could get this kit and not have to swing a hammer at all but I agree with McK, just flip it over for the last step:

Capri Tools CP21050 21050 Metal Hole Punch Set With Puncher 16 Piece, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OM4GVX0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_X62C918SV4F7YVXPR6BT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Before buying a workbench check out rubber poundo boards. I use my kitchen table when it's too cold outside. I put my granite block on top of the poundo board and it is significantly quieter. If you can't have any sound check out one of these presses. Having the drill part means you can put a number of tools in it and press instead of hammer.

Revolving Punch Plier Kit, XOOL Leather Hole Punc... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRDBGY6/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_FZ8WE1QNCNTYHGKG1JM2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Something like that will work wonders on leather belts

Another option, if you like the men's belts and the only real issue is the placement of the belt holes, is to use a leather hole puncher like this one! As long as the extra length of a men's belt doesn't annoy you, you can add extra holes that match your exact measurements.

I've also used mine for things like adding more holes to sandal straps, etc. Would definitely recommend!

I did it by using something like this

https://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-72-Leather-Punch/dp/B00004T7WS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=MCL98LY2Z8W1&keywords=lace+hole+punch&qid=1637837834&sprefix=lace+hole%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-3

Works quite well . You can also use grommets if you want to he more fancy .

You can try a cheap press. I have this model and it works really well for the thicker stuff.

Leather Hole Puncher Hand Punching Machine Manual Press Puncher Punch Tools for DIY Leather Craft Punching Holes (with Chuck, PP Plate and Aluminum plate) (Style D) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_Y9DG66SC53870GEM0NEV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You can also try to punch one or two pieces before gluing them together. This way, when you put them together, the existing holes act as a guide when punching the last layer.

The method I have found the easiest is using an arbor press. I have one with a chuck that can hold my stitching chisels. Using a press will just ensure everything stays square. Plus, I find it easier to use and it works great for setting rivets.

This is the one I have and it’s worked well so far:

Leather Hole Puncher Hand Punching Machine Manual Press Puncher Punch Tools for DIY Leather Craft Punching Holes (with Chuck, PP Plate and Aluminum plate) (Style D) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZB8MHSSACYKECNY5A189

Here’s what I have, works a treat. So quiet too! Your drill press should also work if you can chuck it wide enough for the handle if your punching tool. No special adapter should be necessary.

Leather Hole Puncher Hand... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I'm thinking something other than a drill bit might work better, maybe like some sort of DIY leather punch out of a piece of pipe?

https://www.amazon.com/SE-790LP-Hollow-Leather-Punch/dp/B001F27AMI