Punching holes in nylon-cored stirrup leathers. Humanly possible?

[BeckyD]

Because if it is possible, why can I not do it? I'm going to have to buy new (kids' length!) stirrup leathers if not. I have one of those leather punches that rotates round to give you the right punch.

 

[chickeninabun]

My hubby can punch through my daughter's nylon stirrup leathers with a normal leather punch, but I can't!!

 

[BeckyD]

I need to borrow your hubby as my boyfriend can't do it!

 

[kirinsam]

Not absolutely sure about the nylon core ones but i used to use alot of synthetic harness for the driving ponies (ie only the nylon stuff not the outside) and used a soldering iron to burn a small hole in the nylon stuff as it also sealed the edges which would otherwise fray. Was very sceptical the first time but it goes through like butter and never frays at the edge of the hole. not sure of the effect of the iron on the thin leather , does anyone else know?

 

[Lynz25]

Dad has done a couple of things for me successfully. He used a match just after it had been blown out.

 

[mil1212]

I was also going to suggest to try a heated nail and hammer it through, as the heat should glide through the nylon, not sure what it would do to the leather bit though, haven't tried it!

 

[BeckyD]

But your dad's brilliant and can do ANYTHING! I will try the match thing tomorrow, failing that I should be capable of heating a nail and trying to drive that through.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

For cutting holes in thick leather & webbing I use punches with a hammer similar to these. They are cheap, work well & are accurate:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/9-Pc-HOLLOW-PUNCH-...A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[PapaFrita]

I'd heat a nail up and use that.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

2nd the hot nail idea - have used it on nylon web headcollars etc.

 

[qwertyuiop]

Use a hand drill and rest the stirrup "leather" on a piece of wood.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

DONT use a drill- it will overheat and twist the nylon core...

Use the leather punch to cut a hole in the leather one side, then turn over and repeat. Now you have the nylon exposed, use one of the excellent suggestions of a heated nail !

 

[concino]

I use a burner on the gas hob, heat a suitably sized nail held with pliars.; works a treat.

 

[Spyda]

Ditto those that suggest using a hot skewer or nail. Just heat the end of the skewer on your hob at home. A gas-burner hob would work best I assume! Not sure how a halogen plate would work. Anyway... heat it up and pass it through the leather and nylon. I've been doing this for years with good success.