Punches - Does this work?

[Daylene]

I have a question related to punches; I read a tip about spraying a silicone spray on a sheet of cardstock and puching through this to lubricate the punch if you are having difficulty with it. (Silicone spray is like Son of a Gun or Armor All).

I have some punches that I bought new and the few times I've tried to use them they are so hard to punch I have to stand on them. It is worthless because I mess up the cardstock. I've tried the wax paper, foil and even sand paper to see if sharpening would help (although since they are brand new I wouldn't have thought so). I wondered if this works and also if it leaves there were any issues with the silcone remaining in the punch and getting on future projects.

Any one tried this? TIA.

Daylene

[Bevstamps]

I haven't tried silicone spray but do know that some punches cannot be used on cardstock especially the more detailed ones like Anna Griffin. If you can punch the design thru regular paper but not card stock, that might be your problem.
Beverly

[Darttella]

I've heard of using wax paper. One of the first punches I ever bought at a scrap booking store (way before I knew about SU) the lady at the counter told me to punch it with wax paper to "lube" it up a bit if it gets jammed or hard to use. Makes sense since I've heard of using candles to "lube" sticky drawers too.

[creeklife]

I purchased a can of MD-12 Punch Doctor from a scrapbook store. It says it contains no oil or silicone and is archival safe. It is very fast drying and is supposed to put a "long lasting, dry non-stick film" on the punching surface. It was recommended to me when I told the store owner I was having trouble with a couple of punches I purchased from her. It did help but I thought was expensive. I haven't had to use it a lot but it does help.

[christyl]

I personally use the wax paper. I just punch with the wax paper a few times and it helps. I also use the wax paper to get a few more cuts from a blade in my paper cutter. Hope this helps.

[Janice Brinson]

A GREAT way to sharpen punches (but you have to be very careful!!!) is to rinse out an empty aluminum can (Pepsi, Coke), then cut it open using old scissors or tin snips. (Wear work gloves!) Make sure the aluminum is clean and dry, then punch through it a few times. This has never failed me with punches that have gotten hard to punch with . . . then you can use the wax paper to lubricate them.

[Daylene]

MD-12 Punch Doctor ... I'm going to check into this. The punches I am having problems with are the small border ones. Thanks for the tips.

Daylene