DIY Leather punch?

[Ststephen7]

I'm sure there is a ton of knowledge here, and I need some thoughts...

I'm trying to make a living making things out of my garage/basement. My big money maker is a welded stainless steel Mjolnir. Thanks to the new Avengers movie I just got orders for 3 of them, and I'm just finishing up a custom one with a 3' handle. I've made quite a few of them now, and have most of it down.

However... for the handle I cut pieces of leather to match the curvature of the rings I make (I made a little die from some black pipe), and then I sew the pieces into rings that slide onto the handle...

If I'm making a hammer every couple of months it's no problem to trace out each piece of leather, cut it out, and maybe use the dremel to match it perfectly to the rings on either side of it.

Now... I have A LOT of these leather rings to make!

If you've every seen clothing parts cut, or leather parts for jackets or shoes cut, you've seen people putting (what I'm calling) a shaped punch on the material, and then a press pushes it through the material, giving a very consistent part.

Has anyone every made themselves on of these? And do you guys have any thoughts about how I might go about making one of these? The leather is a bit over 1/8" thick.

I'll attach pictures of the little pattern I trace, and the piece cut out. I'd like to get one perfect, and then be able to reproduce (near) perfect copies.

I have a pretty limited amount of power metal working tools. I have a small hand held plasma torch, oxy/accet torch, mig and Tig welders, a 4x6 metal cutting bandsaw, abrasive cut off saw, and drill press. Everything else I do with hand held grinders, sanders, etc... after making a bunch of the hammers I did come up with a cut list, and now I have someone cut out the parts for me with a cnc laser

Thank you!
Steve

 

[MP&C]

For cutting leather, sharpened pieces of tubing can do wonders. for the "wave" shape you're showing, that would be a special made die, but could still be made just the same. An arbor press affixed with your punches will help make short work of it..

 

[larry_g]

The tool your looking for is a 'steel rule die' They are custom made but I don't know if you can get the blade and make the die yourself.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[shoeless]

I have a laser cutter that will do leather. I could try cutting it for you, but I would need a pattern/dimensioned drawing and a sample.

 

[hawkeye2]

I think you could build block to hold pieces of bandsaw blades (maybe sharpen the edge like a knife) to the shape you need. Then use a press or a hammer to cut the pieces. I’ll try to post a picture of what I mean later.

 

[MoonRise]

Pffft. You folks are slipping.

He OBVIOUSLY needs a laser cutter.

 

[hawkeye2]

 

[Guster]

I have made some like in the Youtube vid for cutting EVA using the steel band strapping they use for crates etc. It is just what I had at the time and would work great. Unlike a bandsaw blade it will hold a near 90deg bend too which would often cause the bandsaw blade to crack. I just removed the bur left on the strapping and didn't need to sharpen it for EVA. A slight chisel edge is all that may be needed for leather.

Also if you use a finer grained leather you should be able to burnish the edges so they don't fray. Alternatively dipping them in a little PVA after colouring will let you sand a smoother/sharper edge between rings. Lots of tips on theRPF forum.

 

[Ststephen7]

Thank you for all of your ideas, thoughts, and offers to help... I appreciate the time you took to try and help!

I can’t afford to add anything to my cost to make these hammers, at least not at the moment. I’d love to have a laser cutter, and again can’t afford one

So... I’ve been cutting them out over time, some several times a week, and it’s getting done. I will, sometime in the near future do more research on the RPF, and then try my hand at making a die.

Thank you all again!!
Steve