Bottle Cap Jewelry - Punch or Drill Holes?

[Julles]

I'm making necklaces and earrings out of vintage bottle caps from old soda bottles.  To attach them to the chains or earring hooks, there need to be tiny holes in them, to attach the jump rings.

What would be the best way to get the holes in?  Drill, which takes a long time to get through the metal, and puts strain on the thin drill bit?

Or punch with some kind of awl, which has the potential to dull a nice tool.

What would you do?

[Kittyzee]

Since I don't have a drill, the obvious choice would be a punch...   Could you improvise with a cheaper tool to punch the hole and not ruin a good awl? 

[Esther]

Try your awl but remember that it will want to dent the metal. So maybe lay it flat side down on some scrap wood. But then the edges of the hole may slant outward. But it depends on how this cap will hang or be attached to something else. We want pictures.

[PondmaninAL]

I always prefer a drill with the right drill bit. See if you can find a multipack of the same size bits.

[-Greg-]

Whitney punch!!
http://www.roperwhitney.com/punching/2-45.cfm

[Julles]

Thanks, guys. 

I bet that punch is what people have, when they make this sort of jewelry professionally.  I never knew such a thing existed.

I might try a cheap awl or ice pick, and see if it will even go throughthe metal.  Othewise, maybe I need a new, sharp drill bit, and that may make the task faster.

[Julles]

It just occurred to me, I can try a cheap nail on some non-vintage caps, to see if that will make a suitable hole. 

[Esther]

The nail will make a hole but remember it will press against the metal and cause a divot, whereas the drill shaves/grinds away the metal.

[Pa Nancy]

The nail will make a hole but remember it will press against the metal and cause a divot, whereas the drill shaves/grinds away the metal.

That's what I was thinking too Esther. Plus the actual impact may make a dent in the metal surrounding the hole. Julles can you pm me your Email Addy concerning that project you asked me about. Thanks!

[wivepi]

Making jewelry from vintage bottle caps sounds like a fun and creative project! To get the tiny holes in the bottle caps, I’d recommend using a hole punch tool specifically made for metal. These tools are designed to create clean, small holes in thin metal without the need for drilling or risking damage to your tools. For attaching items like a hamsa ring to your designs, a metal punch is quicker than a drill and doesn’t put as much strain on your tools like an awl might. If you're working with thicker metal, a small handheld drill with the right bit can also work, but for thin metal, a metal punch would likely be the best option!