Punching: Using End Punches
End punches are a quick, easy way to give a uniformly shaped end to any strap or belt. End punches come in a variety of widths and in multiple profiles, with varying degrees of roundness. Pick your favorite.
Materials
Leather
Tools
Strap cutter
Mechanical pencil
End punch
Cutting mat
Mallet
Techniques Used
Cutting: Using a Strap Cutter
1 Cut the strap. Using the strap cutter, cut the strap or belt needed for the project.
2 Select your end punch. There are several profiles. This book uses the 5/8-inch (1.6cm), 1-inch (2.5cm), or 2-inch (5cm) English point end punch (a Gothic arch shape) and a rounded profile. As long as the punch center is on the center of the strap, you can use any end punch larger than the strap width.
3 Measure and mark the end punch placement. Using a mechanical pencil, mark a perpendicular line where you want the belt to end. Measure and mark the center of the strap on the perpendicular line for even punch placement.
4 Position the punch. Position the end punch with the pinnacle on the center point mark, against the perpendicular line. Hold the punch vertically with one hand. If it’s held at an angle, one lip of the punch will dig in further than the other.
5 Strike the punch. Strike the top of the punch with the mallet. Bring the hammer straight down. If you bring it down at an angle, it will exert horizontal forces on the punch. Try to hit the mallet just hard enough to go all the way through the leather, without cutting into the mat
6 Gently strike again, if needed. If your first punch did not go all the way through the leather, strike the punch again gently, taking care not to cut through to the mat.
The most important mistake to avoid is using an end punch that is not quite as wide as your strap, because it creates a jagged end that’s difficult to repair. When in doubt, choose a punch that’s wider than the strap.
