Monday, October 28, 2013

Cool Tool: WRMK Power Punch

 
 
I've been on the hunt for a 1/4" punch that capable of cleanly punching through extra heavy chipboard with minimal hand strength. I have an old hand injury that makes it difficult for me to perform a squeezing motion with any real degree of power.
 
My preferred eyelets are 3/16" in diameter, so they require a 1/4" hole. I have a few 1/4" hole punches, but I still hadn't found exactly what I wanted.
 
 
First, I found and really liked the 7 Gypsies Binderie.
 
 
 
The major drawback to the Binderie is that your can only punch on the edge of an album, and the edge has to be straight. That limits the number of projects it can be used on, since it won't work for shaped albums or binder-style albums.
 
 
Second, I found and really liked the EK Success 1/4" Heavy Duty Punch. 
 
 
 
Sure, it wasn't the comfiest thing in my hand but it got the job done. It was easy to see the hole, and line up the punch where I wanted it. On top of that, I loved that the chipboard didn't get stuck in the hole (like it does in my WRMK Crop-A-Dile).
 
Unfortunately, the punch has a major drawback that keeps it from being the most perfect 1/4" heavy duty punch. It has a really short reach into the page - shorter than even a standard office hole punch.
 
 
After mentioning on my USTREAM show that I'd prefer a longer handle, Melissa Robertson messaged me on Facebook about the We R Memory Keepers Power Punch.
 
 
The WRMK Power Punch has a 2" reach, which is awesome! That makes it very handy for my projects. The reason I didn't initially purchase this punch is that it has a black plastic confetti catcher that blocks the view of the hole.
 
Melissa pointed out that the black plastic confetti catcher is easy to remove, so I grabbed the punch and she's right! Just open the plastic lid like you're going to empty the confetti. Then pull straight up on the plastic lid and the whole confetti catcher will just slide right out of the punch handle! You can see right where you need to punch.
 
 
What's a cool tool you've been loving lately? Is there a tool that you'd like my opinion of? Let me know in the comments below!
 
Kathryn :D

5 comments:

  1. What a great idea! Thanks for doing the research. I'll definitely get one!

    Sheila Randel (PM)

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    1. Hi, Sheila! I'm so glad you like the punch - I've found it really handy already. :)

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  2. Ok, am getting the order placed and my finger firmly planted on the buy now key! Thank you for the good info on our "must have" items. <3

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    1. You're welcome, Annette! I'm always on the hunt for cool tools - anything to make scrapping a little easier and a lot more fun!

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