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
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.
I’ve never personally used one, but it seems simple enough to operate.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
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 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?
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.
It's a single hand punch from Amazon. Not machined so I can't drill, but it works great! It's also pretty cheap.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBKGFBW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share