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I've had some luck with punching through aluminum foil, and others recommend waxed paper.
Sometimes, it's just a punch that won't punch cleanly, no matter what. The paper you are trying to punch makes a difference, too. Lots of cardstock is difficult to punch cleanly. I hardly ever have trouble with the thinner patterned papers.
The punches I have the most trouble with are the ones I bought several years ago when I first started cardmaking. They are the "button" type punches and I've always found them difficult to use. I much prefer the "lever" types.
My favorite punches are are manufactured by EK Success, that includes many SU punches, and the Martha Stewart punches. Also EK Success has a line of punches with their own name, too.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I've tried all the tricks and suggestions I've read: punching through aluminum foil, punching through waxed paper, putting them in the freezer, etc., and haven't had any luck with sharpening my punches. About 3 months ago, I finally threw away a circle punch that I had bought when I first started scrapbooking. It no longer punched cleanly and left rough, jagged edges on the paper. I had to accept the fact that nothing lasts forever, and I really did get my money's worth out of that punch, since I'd had it for about 9 years.
I don't know if its available anywhere online, but I remember an article in Rubber Stamping magazine that talked about how to sharpen different kinds of punches. Some you want to use with aluminum foil and others you don't want to have come anywhere even close to a.f. because it will damage it. Ditto wax paper. But I don't remember details. If I have time I'll look through my back issues and post the jist of the article, but if someone else knows a good resource hopefully they'll post it.
I couldn't get the cutter glide to work for me. One of my favorite punches that I really needed for a masculine card buggered up on me the other day. I tried the cutter glide-no go. Tried aluminum foil-no go. Tried waxed paper no go-UNTIL I got so frustrated that I took 5 strips of waxed paper and folded each over and over til it was about 4 sheets thick. I punched through those and it still stuck but not quite as bad. So I did it again, then again, and again. Probably did this about 6 times and it finally worked. I think I got enough wax from all the layers to do the trick. It is working really well now. Good luck.
Doesn't all funny posts start out with "now, I've never tried this"? But one day while blog surfing I came upon this post about using soda cans to sharpen punches. I haven't tried it but if you are thinking that your punch is destined for the garbage, you might give it a try. Stampbuster Videos � Where The Rubber Hits The Road
HTH
Kathy T
Doesn't all funny posts start out with "now, I've never tried this"? But one day while blog surfing I came upon this post about using soda cans to sharpen punches. I haven't tried it but if you are thinking that your punch is destined for the garbage, you might give it a try. Stampbuster Videos � Where The Rubber Hits The Road
HTH
Kathy T
I love it! You are right. I am guilty of being helpful? in that way too.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Doesn't all funny posts start out with "now, I've never tried this"? But one day while blog surfing I came upon this post about using soda cans to sharpen punches. I haven't tried it but if you are thinking that your punch is destined for the garbage, you might give it a try. Stampbuster Videos � Where The Rubber Hits The Road
HTH
Kathy T
Oh, yeah. I tried that too. Didn't work for me, but it might help someone else.
Tried the soda can trick. It sorta worked but ended up replacing the circle punch because the problem was with the top & bottom pieces not matching up properly thus causing the ragged edges.
I am a punch snob. ;) Some punches just suck. No matter what you do they just deteriorate over time. Other punches are just not constructed well. I even had punches shatter on me. After several years of dealing with sucky punches I have become a brand snob. I only use EK Success type punches. My favorite are SU & Martha Stewart. I like those little Michael's dollar punches. I use those a lot since I do mixed media work. If they break it's not a big loss. I have a collection that is very old and they are still going strong. While all my punches made by Fiskars for example have broken or stop cutting. I sharpen my punches with tin foil.
My dear departed circle punch was an E.K. Success Whale of a Punch. That's why I tried so hard to sharpen it. They are some of the more expensive and better-made punches, so I was sad to see it go. Some people have had luck with the above-mentioned methods of sharpening punches, though. And I do agree that some punches aren't made well in the first place.
this is defintely worth a try. I have had 3 punches quite working on me recently, one martha stewart handle broke, Ek success doesn't punch worth a darn, and another one is dull. So, I can't say any company punch is better then another. So, I'm giving this a try.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I have had two of MS punches actually break on me. I love her punches and the designs that she makes! But, I hate that they break so easy. Does anyone have any ideas of what to do when they break? Have you ever sent them back to the company and had them replaced? I bought the ornament punch and it broke on me. I bought the silly thing last year, so I don't have the original package. I just used it to make Christmas cards, which look so pretty with this edge...and now I can't finish my cards. ugh!
punches that don't punch well
