My leather punch broke mid-job on a commission last Saturday

I was binding a custom journal for a client in Austin and had about 6 holes left in the spine when my cheap rotary punch just snapped in half. The pin bent and the whole thing fell apart in my hand. I sat there staring at it for a good minute before I realized I had no backup. I ended up using a nail and a hammer to punch the rest of the holes, which worked but left uneven edges. The book turned out okay but the spine looks a little rough. I've been using that same punch for 3 years and never thought it would give out on me. Has anyone else had a tool fail at the worst possible time?

2 comments

2 Comments

henry10120d ago

That nail and hammer trick saved you but you know the spine is going to bug you every time you look at it. I learned the hard way to always keep a cheap spare of any tool that can break, even if it's just a backup from Harbor Freight that sits in a drawer for years. You might try wetting the leather slightly and using a clamp or vice to press a sharp awl through the next time you're in a pinch - gives you cleaner edges than a nail. For that rough spine, a little gum tragacanth and a slicker can smooth out the marks if you catch them before the finish sets. Don't beat yourself up too bad, three years out of a rotary punch is actually pretty good mileage.

skyler_kim1519d ago

Not to pile on @henry101 but you're totally right about that haunted feeling every time you look at the spine. A buddy of mine who restores old furniture had his favorite chisel chip the edge while he was doing a final trim on a table leg for a paying customer. He finished it with a different chisel but swore the line was off by a hair. Took him a year before he stopped noticing it. It's funny how we're the only ones who see the flaws but they still eat at us. Anyway your nail trick was better than nothing and honestly a little character on a handmade book isn't the worst thing in the world.