Leather punch question (proper place?)

[Touch_It]

Couldn't decide the best place to post this but decided here since it is keyboard related and probably gets the most views.  Someone please move it, if there is a more appropriate place.  I'm looking to pick up some leather or hole punches to punch out new foam for my model F keyboard.  I would like to pick them up locally from a store, eg Sears, Menards ETC.  It looks like the sizes in metric I would need are 12mm and 3mm or the equivalent in Imperial.  Cheap is a main goal.  Preferably $10 or under, but I would be willing to go up to $15 ish if I didn't have to order online.  If it comes down to it though I will order online.

[nubbinator]

Leather punches are hard to find that cheap.  I got a cheap set with interchangeable punches for $30 from Tandy Leather.  If you want cheap crap, you can try Harbor freight.

[Tactile]

Try looking at a local hardware store with a good tool selection. Don't ask for "leather punches", but instead "hollow punches" or "hole punches". Mechanics use this type of punch all the time to make gaskets, etc.

Ahhh, nubbinator had a good idea about Harbor Freight...

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-hollow-punch-set-3838.html

[fohat.digs]

I bought a used (antique, perhaps) 5/8" punch on ebay.

Rather than use a 1/2" for the main hole and a nip for the alignment tab, I punched them off-center so that there is a crescent of gap reaching around toward the tab. The harder way would be better, but much harder to hit accurately and more time consuming.

I have done a dozen of these and they worked out fine. You are really just looking for a pad for the barrel to bed into. The barrels sit shoulder-to-shoulder and hold themselves in alignment.

[dorkvader]

I bought a used (antique, perhaps) 5/8" punch on ebay.

Rather than use a 1/2" for the main hole and a nip for the alignment tab, I punched them off-center so that there is a crescent of gap reaching around toward the tab. The harder way would be better, but much harder to hit accurately and more time consuming.

I have done a dozen of these and they worked out fine. You are really just looking for a pad for the barrel to bed into. The barrels sit shoulder-to-shoulder and hold themselves in alignment.

I also got a vintage punch from ebay. It was $5 shipped I believe. I had to sharpen it though. And again halfway through.

After that, my local hardware store had a new punch for pretty cheap.

[Snowdog993]

I looked around and the best thing I could find was this:
http://www.holepunchworld.com//index.cfm?getSubCat=57&getCat=Industrial%20Punches&pid=143
Maybe that helps you?

[Snowdog993]

Try looking at a local hardware store with a good tool selection. Don't ask for "leather punches", but instead "hollow punches" or "hole punches". Mechanics use this type of punch all the time to make gaskets, etc.

Ahhh, nubbinator had a good idea about Harbor Freight...

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-hollow-punch-set-3838.html

I checked that link, and wow, that's 100x better!  Gawd I try too hard to help!

[0100010]

I just used a razor myself.  Granted cutting that many holes by hand, in three different sets of foam was not fun - a punch would have been easier.

[Parak]

I highly recommend getting an arch punch from here - they are high quality USA made punches:

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/tools/tools.html

Scroll down until you find individuals, and get the 5/8" size which will cut out the hole including the barrel notch. Should be $20 shipped.

Like any tool that I expect to use for a long time, I prefer paying a bit more over some chinese generic..

[Melvang]

I highly recommend getting an arch punch from here - they are high quality USA made punches:

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/tools/tools.html

Scroll down until you find individuals, and get the 5/8" size which will cut out the hole including the barrel notch. Should be $20 shipped.

Like any tool that I expect to use for a long time, I prefer paying a bit more over some chinese generic..

I would have to second this choice.  I work with hand tools every day at work and I refuse to buy cheap crap.  For using these make sure that you have a good sized piece of hardwood under the foam when using.  For they record you can use metal faced hammers with these.  Just take your time.  For punching foam you only want to hit it hard enough to just punch through clean with one hit.  I use hole punches like these at work for making gaskets as nubby posted earlier.  These should last for years to come.  When storing for any length of time, spray with a light oil like sewing machine or gun oil and wrap in waxed paper.  Put this into a ziploc bag to keep the oil from getting where you don't want it.  This will keep the cutting edge from rusting.

[Touch_It]

I highly recommend getting an arch punch from here - they are high quality USA made punches:

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/tools/tools.html

Scroll down until you find individuals, and get the 5/8" size which will cut out the hole including the barrel notch. Should be $20 shipped.

Like any tool that I expect to use for a long time, I prefer paying a bit more over some chinese generic..

Thanks

With your advice I went ahead and didn't cheap out on this.  Hopefully I'll get it next week and will finally open my baby up.  Scares me though.  Never worked on a Model F before .

[fohat.digs]

Never worked on a Model F before

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Be brave, Grasshopper, and do not be afraid to do everything at least 4 times. Or 14

[Touch_It]

Never worked on a Model F before

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Be brave, Grasshopper, and do not be afraid to do everything at least 4 times. Or 14

well... That laughing certainly makes me feel better.....

[Noko]

I highly recommend getting an arch punch from here - they are high quality USA made punches:

http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/tools/tools.html

Scroll down until you find individuals, and get the 5/8" size which will cut out the hole including the barrel notch. Should be $20 shipped.

Like any tool that I expect to use for a long time, I prefer paying a bit more over some chinese generic..

Thanks very much for this link!  I will definitely be picking up some of these.

[fohat.digs]

That laughing certainly makes me feel better.....

The small ones are much easier to open and close than the 122-key models.

Just realize that brute force and exquisite balance will be required simultaneously.

[Touch_It]

That laughing certainly makes me feel better.....

The small ones are much easier to open and close than the 122-key models.

Just realize that brute force and exquisite balance will be required simultaneously.

This is for my 4704 107 key. 
I'm not gonna call that small
Well I guess I gotta learn somehow.