For those who like to do something with their own hands, the presence of a figured hole punch opens up great opportunities for creativity. Punches are used in the manufacture of various crafts mainly from paper of various densities. Some imagination, and you do not have to spend more on greeting cards, invitations, envelopes and other small gift accessories, it would be time and desire. With this device you can easily and quickly make all kinds of flowers, hearts, butterflies, snowflakes and other patterns. In addition, there are more and more varieties of hole punchers every day, and therefore, the scope for creativity is expanding.
Types of Hole Punches
Recently, several main types of figured hole punchers have been used:
for cutting holes of various shapes;
for embossing (with 3D effect);
for the edge (border);
for corners;
circular;
with interchangeable nozzles;
- multifunctional (up to "8 in 1").
Most often, the hole punch is a small metal cutting mechanism, which is placed in a plastic case for convenience. Their sizes are from 1.5 to 8 cm, but there are more powerful ones. Each of these types of hole punching can have many different patterns. In this regard, a figured hole punch with interchangeable nozzles is convenient. Multifunctional models have even more features.
What materials are used
Basically, curly hole punchers are used to make patterned holes on paper with a density of up to 220 g / sq. m. But in principle, this material is not limited to its capabilities. You can use foamiran, foil, corrugated paper, wax paper. Excellent work is obtained using kraft paper.
It is not recommended to try cutting thicker and harder materials, fabrics or leather with a figured hole punch. Scrapbooking masters do not recommend trying a hole punch on loose materials such as napkins, toilet paper, various films, and polyethylene. It is possible to spoil the cutting mechanism.
What are curly hole punchers for?
Easy to use, which does not require any special skills and preparation, even children from 4-5 years old can easily participate in creative experiments.
Mostly curly paper holes are used in the design of postcards, invitations, envelopes and other all kinds of paper crafts. They are actively used in various types of decorative art, such as, for example, scrapbooking, where, using the wide possibilities of hole punching, you can exquisitely design notebooks, albums, photo frames, boxes and much more. But for children's creativity and ordinary use for domestic purposes, it will be enough to purchase, for example, two types of figured hole punchers: for the edge and corner.
Features of use
To prevent the cutting properties of a hole punch, you can from time to time make a simple sharpening procedure. To do this, lay thin foil in several layers and cut 3-4 times. This will help extend the life of the hole punch.
If you want to make curly holes on a material such as foamiran, then it will be safer to put paper over it. Provided that the foamiran material itself will not be thicker than one millimeter.
Like any other metal mechanism with rubbing surfaces, it must be regularly lubricated with machine oil used for sewing machines, or with grease. Experienced craftsmen also use waxed or parchment baking paper to preserve the cutting properties of the hole punch.
Attention!
Do not use vegetable oil for lubrication.
If you exercise caution, do not drop the hole punch, do not try to use materials not intended for this, it will last a long time and will be a reliable assistant in your work.
Avoid bumps. A hole punch dropped to the floor may not be suitable for use.
To prevent dust or other small particles from entering the surface of the blade, it is recommended to store hole punchers in special covers, boxes or bags.
Repairs
If your hole punch has stopped working, as before, pieces of paper remain during cutting, not everyone did the cut, or even jammed everything - do not throw it away. Perhaps he can still be repaired. In principle, all hole punchers are based on the same mechanisms, in which one large spring or several small springs, a blade, a main metal case with holes for the blade and an external plastic hole punch case are necessarily present. Although there are more complex models.
- We disassemble a hole punch. First you need to carefully remove the plastic case with scissors, a screwdriver, a nail file or a small knife. It is important to remember the disassembly sequence, as it will have to be assembled in the reverse order. If there are serifs, pay attention to them and remember their position.
- If necessary, remove pieces of paper that are inside, clean from dust. The springs can be fixed with the appropriate glue, lubricate the metal surfaces of the blade with a brush, needle or toothpick with machine oil or grease.
- Assemble all parts together in reverse order.
- Check the operation of the mechanism.
- As carefully as you removed, put on a plastic case and press it until it clicks into place.
- We check the operation of the hole punch using a thin foil or plain paper folded in 2-4 layers.
If you were fascinated by decorating with such a functional device and you had a lot of ideas, then it will be difficult to manage with one copy of a figured hole punch for scrapbooking. Even in one product, sometimes up to three or four types of perforation are used. Therefore, in the arsenal of experienced masters, there are dozens of different figured hole punch and other devices. Which, in turn, gives them even greater scope for imagination and expands the scope of application of this simple, but such a wonderful mechanism.