Uncategorized

I Heart Jewelry Tools: Metal Hole Punch Pliers

July 14, 2009

If you’re working with metal there are a few tools that come in handy. Frequently I need a hole in a piece of metal, whether it’s a bezel I’m going to sew or a disk to hang as a charm. These hole punching pliers from Contenti come in handy so I don’t have to break out the drill. (Thank you, Contenti for allowing us to borrow your pictures shown below.)


A quick punch and you have a 1.25mm or 1.8mm hole. I prefer the 1.8mm hole. It’s just right for a jump ring or wire. The hole punching pliers shown above will work with metal up to 18 gauge. That fits most sheet metal I’ve worked with.

Do you have a favorite tool to use with metal?

(written by Cindy Gimbrone, hole punching pliers advocate and glass beadmaker.)

Written by

You Might Also Like

Amuse the Muse – birds and butterflies – with Rebecca of Songbead

Studio Saturdays with Designer Lorelei Eurto

12 Days of Christmas

Previous Story
Next Story

11 Comment

  1. Jenny
    July 14, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    Thanks for the tip! Are the holes relatively smooth? No burrs as you would have with a drill bit? Intrigued, I am…

  2. Cindy Gimbrone
    July 14, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    Hi Jenny,

    I've had to do some sanding or hammering – not too bad. It's not like punching paper though – not perfectly clean 🙂

    Cindy

  3. TesoriTrovati
    July 14, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    Hi Cindy!
    I got one of those two sided screw punch hole thingamabobs. I love it! This one looks even easier.

    My new favorite tools are stamps. I have letter stamps in several sizes and some decorative stamps. I also have a Fretz texturzing hammer that looks like raw silk. And in one of my Bead & Button classes the instructor had some pieces of brass texturizing plates (I think used for metal clay?) that we could use with a hammer to texturize. I love playing with all of that!

    Thanks for the inspiration!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

  4. Jenny
    July 14, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    Thanks Cindy – it looks great even if theres a tiny bit of finishing to be done. Sometimes when you are on a roll and you have to get out the drill, and wood, and clamps. Waa waa waa… you lose a little momentum. These pliers would be quick!

  5. rosebud101
    July 15, 2009 at 1:07 am

    I have one of those hole punchers, too, and I love it! They make such a nice cut into the metal!

  6. WillowWalker
    July 15, 2009 at 5:34 am

    I purchased one a while ago. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. Glad to here it works so well. Now I'm even more excited about it.

  7. C
    July 15, 2009 at 6:26 am

    my favorite tool is my small drill press….
    however i have a tool similar to the contenti – it is a metal punch set that comes with 7 sizes (or 8) of holes you can punch out of the metal. my favorite thing to do is punch the smallest size hole, and then center that hole on a larger size punch and cut again… voila- instant mini washers. mine came from harbor freight and goes on sale for about $14…it has always worked great and it does not leave burs…..

  8. RLR
    July 16, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    HiCindy,
    I'm wondering how hard one has to push or squeeze to make the hole. I have tendonitis.
    Thanks,

    RLR

  9. Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor
    July 20, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    Oooo I would like one of those! Been hammering heavy gauge wire flat at the ends to make links and that tool would be way easier than drilling the holes in the ends.

  10. James Paige
    January 29, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    Nice, I know i'm a bit biased but there's also some good tools at Wire-Sculpture.com if anyone ever wants to compare prices!

  11. Glofen
    June 25, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    Hi, I want to get a metal puncher and make my jewelry, but I don't know where to purchase thin circular metal disks to work with, can any one help?

Comments are closed.