At the first hole, it felt like impossible, I almost decided to return it. The tool was so hard to switch gear (yes, in the correct direction, not backwards) like it was fully rusted inside. And the lock too, so hard to lock and unlock.After some getting use to, and some twist and turns, and some filing in and out, it gets the job done. I punched 8 holes in the end. I would say one hard punch with a clicking sound to make it half way through, followed by some cleaning on the puncher with the filSee full review