Introduction to crafting with BioThane® (or other similar webbing)

 

When making either dog collars or leashes you will need a way to make clean, precise, holes in the webbing, both for attaching hardware and for joining the webbing. Here you basically have two choices, either you get a hand tool called “hole punch pliers” or you invest a little bit more from the get go, and get a punch press machine. Getting a punch press machine will help you make the holes much easier, and also having the ability to set rivets (instead of using chicago screws) with some types of press machines.

While there’s a third way of joining webbing and attaching hardware, sewing, it’s outside the scope of this guide aimed for beginners. Sewing in BioThane webbing is not recommended for someone just starting out.

 

Hole punch pliers vs. Press punch

Hole punch pliers pros and cons

Pros:

• • Portability and Ease of Use: Leather hole punch pliers are handheld tools that are easy to store, making them ideal for hobbyists and professionals who require flexibility in their workspace.

• • Cost-Effective: These pliers are much more affordable than punch press machines, making them accessible to beginners or those on a tighter budget.

Cons:

• • Manual Effort: They require physical effort, which can be a drawback for projects that involve a large number of punches or very thick materials.

• • No Rivet Setting: While perfect for small-scale hole punching, the hole punch can only be used for this and nothing else.

     

 

Press machine pros and cons

Pros:

Efficiency and Speed: Punch press machines are designed for high-volume production, significantly reducing the time and effort required to punch holes in webbings.

• • Versatility: The punch press has the ability to mount different dies, both for punching holes but also for setting rivets and even for other special uses like rhinestones.

• • Consistency: They ensure uniformity in the punches, which is crucial for maintaining quality in production runs.

• • Precise centered holes: If you get one of the recommended press machines, we sell centering guides that fit the machine that ensures that all your holes will be centered on the webbing when punching. 

Cons:

• • Cost and Space: Punch press machines are a bigger investment and require dedicated space, making them less accessible for hobbyists or small-scale operations.

In conclusion, a punch press tool will give you more options to succeed with your BioThane®/Waterproof webbing projects, providing the ability to use rivets and/or even end cutters with some kinds of punch press machines