FIXING A STUCK PUNCH

I have a heart punch that is a few years old, when you punch all the hearts you can fold them so they link and make a chain. Mine has gotten stuck and I can't get the part that hold the left over open to dump the part. I believe it is a McGill punch.
Also I have the Martha Stewart loop around the page punches. Does any one know how to punch out a complete circle with them?
Thank You so much.

If you find out how to unstick them, please let me know. I bought the set of Fiskars punches (the little orange ones) from (annonymous site) in the fall. When I first tried to use one of them, it was stuck and I could not get it to punch. I finally (I believe it was a God-thing because I finally got the cutter part to move up so I could put the paper in and punch. Anyway, now I have a similar prob - the little catch won't move down, so the punch will pop up to punch.
Geez, too many "ppppppp's"

WD-40? Or spray cooking oil?

My dh is out of town or I'd ask him how he unsticks mine.

Depending on the type of punch, you can press something on the bottom of it to pop it back up --like the handle of a screwdriver.

I'm not sure you can actually punch a circle with the loop around the page. It's a straight edge border and corner punch, so you wouldn't really be able to do a circle.

You can cut a square, fold it from the center, and punch the edge. You won't get a perfect circle.

Check out this video:
http://www.scrapbook.com/videos/703.html

• Legomom Said:

Thanks Legomom - I had not thought of WD-40. I should have asked my DH. He would have said that!

I wouldn't use WD-40. You'll end up with greasy stuff on your projects.

Thanks for your input. I did see a circle made with the the Loop around the page punches it was in a video they went fast I have e-mailed every one I could find at MS with no reply. I am going to try the technique in the video and even e-mail the lady.

I have used WD-40 and spray cooking oil both...you have to clean it well after, but it works sometimes. Than after cleaning you have to do some practice 'cleaning punches' on scrap paper or printer paper. BUT why did it get stuck to begin with?? If the blade is not sharp enough use foil to sharpen. I have also used FINE sand paper layered in between 2 sheets of foil to sharpen, but you can try just a few layers of foil first. I do wood working also , so I already had the sand paper. If you have to buy it, get FINE, and you can usually get it for under $1 a sheet. That will last thru s number of sharpenings. I don't have MS punches so cannot help there.
** Forgot to say also when cleaning use q-tips and rubbing alcohol, that will cut thru the oily stuff. ALWAYS test with a scrap piece of paper before using the good stuff to prevent oil stains.

Be careful if you try the screwdriver method--the metal is VERY SHARP AND WILL CUT YOU if it comes in contact with your skin, fingers, etc. I know from experience.
Didn't I hear somewhere to punch wax paper to "loosen" up tight punches? Maybe try that if you get the punch unstuck.

Yeah...I've heard wax paper as well to help keep them loose.

Wax paper and foil!

I use old candles to wax around the inside of the punches. Fiskars have lifetime waranties just go to their website and get the info they will replace them for free.

Ditto on the wax paper for easy punching and foil for sharpening them up.

Has anyone used the Paper Glide.... I almost got it...

I put my stuck punches in the freezer to constrict the metal. Once unstuck, I lube with WD-40 and then I punch through a lot, and I mean a lot of wax paper. Then I punch trough a lot of aluminum foil. When I got to use it again on paper, I test on scraps so that I can check for residue. If it continues with problems, I check if the manufacturer can help. Good luck.

Okay, I have to comment.

More than one person mentioned WD-40.
I'll admit, I have never tried this one my punches. It seems reasonable that it would work, but...

what a about getting drops of oil on your work? How do you prevent that? One tiny drop of oil on cardstock would ruin it!

Personally, I would NOT use WD-40 on my craft punches, for that reason.

I never thought to put my punches in the freezer. Great idea though. I go the waxed paper and foil route and so far it has worked.

I have a spray can of Paper Punch Doctor. I don't remember where I got it.
It seems to make a stuck punch work a little better. It won't make a weak punch that will only punch thru paper, able to punch thru cardstock.
I have some punches I use to punch pop cans. I always use WD40 on those, as I clean the metal with rubbing alcohol.