Punch Troubleshooting
If you’re having problems making your punches work easily, please consider the tips below.
I've used my punches a lot, and the blades seem to be less sharp. Can I sharpen them?
As with scissors and knives, punch blades get dull with use. This is the case with every manufactured punch brand.
But you can hone the blade by punching through aluminum foil. You can also punch through wax paper to lubricate the mechanism. If you’re planning to punch out many shapes for a large project, it’s a good idea to follow this tip to ensure clean cuts and ease of use.
Your larger punches require more force to use. Is this normal?
Yes, this is completely normal. Larger punches generally require more exertion to press down than our smaller sizes. This is particularly true with our classic button-top punches. Smaller sizes are generally easy to use with a bit of finger strength. Though all of this greatly depends on what you are punching through, and how thick the material and ornate the design.
Our SlimLock™ Punches use advanced single and double-lever mechanisms which are much easier to use.
For all punches – we recommend using the palm of your hand to press down. If you have arthritis, or are using a larger size of our button-top punches, we recommend using our Power Punch accessory to provide extra leverage. The Power Punch was specifically designed to alleviate fatigue and make the punching process quicker and easier for large punches and large projects.
My punch is new, and the mechanism seems "stuck" or can't be pressed down completely.
Although rare, new punches may feel as if there is an obstruction blocking the die.
Occasionally metal burs may be present following the die-casting process, which may obstruct the blades and prevent the punch from being pressed easily. To solve this problem, press your punch swiftly and repeatedly with the heel of your hand against a sturdy surface to shave away these burs, careful not to damage the punch. You’ll notice the mechanism will break free, and should now be easy to operate.
If this doesn’t work, the die may be misaligned, in which case you would need to contact us for a warranty replacement.
My punch is completely stuck and the button won't open.
In most cases if your punch is stuck, it generally does not mean it is broken.
While this can be a sign of a manufacturing defect, in most cases it’s the result of punching through inappropriate material – fabrics, very thick paper like business or loyalty cards, punching with very small and/or intricate designs, and/or punching through materials other than paper like fabric which is more inclined to tear rather than cut.
(very thin, rigid materials like cardstock always works best)
If your punch is “frozen” in place, one method which could resolve the issue is to place it in a freezer for a period of 30 minutes. The cold air causes the metal to contract and could free the die, assuming there are no obstructions.
You can also press the die from the open side to force the mechanism back up. A ballpoint pen works well for mini punches which get stuck, for example.
If you find this problem continues, or the blade seems permanently stuck, please contact us for a replacement. We will replace defective punches which do not work properly in accordance with our warranty policy.
