Punching: Using a Rotary Punch

A rotary punch can punch holes in six sizes, making it an economical alternative to a round hole punch set. It’s an excellent tool for beginners, but once you know which sizes you use frequently, consider buying high-quality hand punches for those sizes.

Materials

Leather

Tools

Mechanical pencil

Rotary punch

Techniques Used

Working with Templates

1 Adjust the punch. The rotary punch adjusts punch size by rotating counterclockwise until it clicks into place. The hole sizes are typically arranged in ascending order, from size #0 to #12.

2 Mark the hole locations. Using the template and a mechanical pencil, mark where the holes need to be punched. For small holes, marking a dot at the center point may be sufficient, but for larger holes, draw the entire outline of the hole shape.

3 Test the punch. Holding your project in one hand and the rotary punch in your dominant hand, lightly squeeze the rotary punch ever so slightly at the mark and then release. This will leave a faint ring where the hole punch will occur. If it is centered on the mark, then proceed.

4 Punch the hole. Return the rotary punch to the mark and squeeze the handles confidently to punch all the way through the leather.

Rotary Punch Maintenance

Maintain your rotary punch by keeping the tubes clear and the moving parts lubricated, particularly the pivot point of the rotary wheel. If the mechanical parts begin to squeak or become stiff, apply a drop or two of a standard tool lubricant, such as Tri-Flow, making sure to wipe up any excess lubricant so it doesn’t get on your project. Check that tubular punches don’t get clogged or accidentally unscrewed. If you use your rotary punch heavily or if it becomes damaged, you may want to replace the tube punches or the brass anvil, which are available where rotary punches are sold.