Weaving Cartridge Loops

[Uncle Chan]

Do you all use a special punch to make the slots for weaving your cartridge loops?

Uncle

[Slowhand Bob]

I use a slot puncher 3/4" for my centerfire pistol rounds.  I curently have four different makes in that size but actually like the cheeper Rampart brand from Hidecrafters, for bullet looping, due to its thinner profile slot.  Tandy offers a Craft Tool version that resembles the Rampart but stay away from it, very much lower quality.  If I can ever get caught up I want to rig a method for adapting this punch to my foot press.

[Uncle Chan]

Thanks Slow Hand.  Sadly, I bought one of Tandy's lower quality pieces of junk.  I tried to cut a slow with it just the other day and couldn't not matter how hard I tried.  I'll check out Hide Crafters.  Thanks.

Uncle

[Slowhand Bob]

One last thought, these speacialty puches require a bit more  uhhh brute force than the round versions, with equal sharpness.  For these occasions I use an oversized rawhide mallet, its easier on the tool and the arm (perhaps the fingers too) than repeated bashing away with something lighter, I think.

[Uncle Chan]

Thanks Slowhand.  I appreciate your input and advice.  I'll play with the cheapo one I got from Tandy for a bit, then. 

Uncle

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Slowhand Bob is right with the larger mallet on those specialty punches. I have one of the steel ones with the rawhide/nylon inserts that I got at the local hardware store. One good smack does the job.

[knucklehead]

Uncle Chan,
I use the osborne bag/slot punch from tandy leather/leather factory.

I use the 5/8" size when weaving 3/4" leather for bullet loops.

when you pound the punch through the leather have a piece of thick leather underneath the one you want the hole in.
you also want to do it on a very solid surface. and use a fairly heavy non metal hammer.