General Tools 1271E Arch Punch 1/2 Inch
- Pin Hole Diameter: 0.5 inches
- Material Type: Alloy Steel
- Operation Mode: operation
- Sheet Count: 1271
Last refreshed Jun 22, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A solid, inexpensive punch for leather and similar materials once you back it with a hardwood block and strike it with a dead-blow or rubber mallet rather than a steel hammer.
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ASIN: B00004T7W9Model: 1271ECategory: Arch Punches
Overview
A 1/2 inch arch punch in heat-treated forged steel, used with a mallet to cut clean holes through leather, rubber, gasket material, canvas, cardboard, and other soft materials.
It is a single-size punch, part of a range sized from smaller washers up to larger holes, in the older style with a tapered inside bore rather than a modern rotary punch. Buyers consistently note it arrives with a working but not razor edge and benefits from a few minutes of sharpening before the first real job.
- 1/2 inch heat-treated forged steel punch
- Inside taper for clean material clearance
- Works on leather, rubber, gasket material, cardboard, soft metals
- Best driven with a dead-blow or rubber mallet over a wood block
Who it's for
Leatherworkers, hobbyists making gaskets or washers, and anyone who needs a clean round hole in a soft material and already owns, or is buying, a mallet to drive it.
Pros and cons
- Cuts multiple layers of fabric or leather cleanly with the right technique
- Forged steel holds up to repeated use
- Useful for making custom washers and gaskets in specific sizes
- Priced well for a metal punch
- Arrives dull and needs sharpening before use
- Weld quality between shaft and body is inconsistent
- Packaging has led to shipping damage for some buyers
- Not sharp enough out of the box for tougher material like wool
Performance notes
The heat-treated forged steel body holds an edge once sharpened, and the internal taper clears the cut material as you strike it.
Specifications
| Brand | General Tools |
|---|---|
| Model | 1271E |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Pin Hole Diameter | 0.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.03 pounds |
| Item Dimensions L X W X H | 5 × 2.7 × 6.6 inches |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Alloy Steel |
| Color | Silver |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | Unit^Instruction Guide |
| Other details | |
| Operation Mode | operation |
| Sheet Count | 1271 |
| Hole Count | 1 |
| Part Number | 1271E |
Frequently asked questions
What size hole does this punch cut?
1/2 inch, per the model name and listing.
What materials does it work on?
Leather, rubber, canvas, plastic, sheet metal, gasket material, cardboard, and softer metals, per the manufacturer.