Charts and Reference

Hole Punch Chart

by Barbara van Look, Content Development Group, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

What's the best hole punching tool for the task? The Hole Punch Chart lets you get at-a-glance information for: hole sizes and shapes, recommended materials and gauges to use each on, and more.

Item	Hole Size(s) and Shape(s)	Hole Reach from Edge	Recommended Materials	What Our Experts Say
T-bar hole punch	1.5mm and 2mm round (replacement T-pins H20-3657TL sold separately)	Up to 5mm (for 1.5mm hole) and up to 12mm (for 2mm hole)	Disc findings and other semi-flat pieces of copper, zinc alloy, aluminum, silver, gold, brass, bronze and tin up to 2-3mm thick, depending on metal	''I find this hole punch easy to align, because the pressure of the twisting style means I can fine-tune the hole placement without it shifting out of place.'' -Esther
EUROTOOL® hole punch pliers	1.25mm round (replacement pins H20-4855BS sold separately)	Up to 11mm	Copper, silver or other soft metal sheet up to 18 gauge	''These pliers punch very small holes. They're ideal for making holes for cold connections that need a snug fit.'' -Esther
EUROTOOL hole punch pliers	1.8mm round (replacement pins H20-4856BS sold separately)	Up to 11mm	Copper, silver or other soft metal sheet up to 18 gauge	''These are the hole punch pliers that every FMG jewelry production artist has at her desk here.'' -Esther
EUROTOOL hole punch pliers	1.7mmx1mm oval (replacement pins H20-4857BS sold separately)	Up to 11mm	Copper, silver or other soft metal sheet up to 24 gauge	''I love how I can replace the pins when they get dull.'' -Rose
EUROTOOL hole punch pliers	1.5mmx1.5mm square (replacement pins H20-4858BS sold separately)	Up to 11mm	Copper, silver or soft metal sheet up to 24 gauge	''You can't get any more convenient than these.'' -Jude
EUROTOOL hole punch pliers	1.5mm round (replacement pins H20-3796TL sold separately)	Up to 20mm	Metal sheet up to 18 gauge	''These pliers make a small, clean hole in metal. They're an investment I made for my home studio.'' -Rose
Hole punch pliers with 7 changeable dies and punches	2.38mm, 3.18mm, 3.97mm, 4.76mm, 5.56mm, 6.35mm and 7.14mm round (both punch and die)	Adjustable alignment from 1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inches	Leather, plastic, steel, aluminum, brass and copper up to 16 gauge (if mild or soft)	''That's the deluxe model. It goes through everything.'' -Jude
Cushioned hole punch pliers with self-contained waste catcher	1/4 inch round (approx 6mm)	Up to 2 inches (approx 50mm)	Paper, cardstock, foam, plastics, foil, thin metals and ribbon	''I like to use these for shrinkable plastic, before it's baked. They make clean holes that shrink well.'' -Jude
Japanese screw punch set (6 sizes)	1.75mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm and 4mm round	Not applicable	Designed for bookbinding materials: suede leather, fabric, shrinkable plastic, mat board and paper	''The smallest holes are the easiest to make and they're perfect for brads or rivets. A self-healing cutting mat as a work surface is a MUST.'' -Esther
Hole punch pliers	1.9mm round	Up to 18mm from edge	Leather, plastic, brass, copper, aluminum and tin up to 14 gauge	''With the gauge guard, the area around the holes are free of indentations.'' -Anna
Rotary hole punch	2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm and 4.5mm round	Up to 32mm	Leather up to 4mm thick	''These are just so versatile. Make sure you put a little scrap of leather on the pad across from the punch, so you don't dull it over time. It makes cleaner punches that way.'' -Rose
Punch set (4 sizes)	3mm, 4mm, 7mm and 9mm round	Not applicable	Leather, rubber, plastic and paper	''These are brilliant for punching holes in leather, no matter your grip strength or the size or thickness of the leather piece you're working on.'' -Barbara
Wubbers® corner hole punch pliers	1.5mm round	Up to 14mm from edge (within a 90 degree angle)	Copper, silver or other soft metal sheet up to 20 gauge	''They take the difficulty out of putting holes in hard-to-reach angles.'' -Jude