The 10 Best Metal Hole Punches

Versatility is the name of the game with the Neiko Power Kit (about $24), in which you'll find seven punch-and-die sets in sizes that start at 3/32 of an inch and range up to 9/32 of an inch, so you can achieve precision as you work. You'll also get a handy throat depth gauge.

The Roper Whitney No. 5 Jr. (about $92) may bill itself as light duty, but this doesn't refer to the model's longevity, as it's a tool you can expect to have in your shop for years. This is largely due to the materials that go into making it, all of which are high quality.

Although the Darice Euro (around $11) is inexpensive and doesn't look particularly fancy, it gets the job done and can handle thicknesses of up to 18 gauge, including in copper and silver. You won't strain to use it, either, as the rubberized grip is comfortable in your hands.

The Capri Tools 16 Piece (about $35) was designed to help you make holes of various widths without too much hassle, a feat it accomplishes by being both intuitive and possible to operate with just one hand. Note that it's a little pricier than others of a similar quality, though.

An exceedingly flexible choice, the EuroTool Deluxe (about $55) should please jewelry makers and anyone working with diverse reclaimed materials, since there is no limit to the insertion depth, as there is with other, more traditional units.

When it's larger openings you need, or ones punched through thicker metals, the CO-Z Step Drill Bit Set (appx. $25) can aid you in bringing your project to completion. You can count on each piece for the long haul, too, thanks to a titanium coating.

The Roper Whitney XX (appx. $307) isn't cheap, but its throat depth is quite a big larger than most of its counterparts, at 3.5 inches. This means you won't be limited to pieces of a uniform flatness, so your creativity has fewer boundaries.

You shouldn't plan on piercing thick sheets of metal with the Crop-A-Dile Power Punch (around $15), but for thin tin and the like it's perfectly adequate. It'll work on card stock, fabric, leather, and more, as well, so it's great for scrapbooking, light office duty, and similar.

Featuring practical spring action, the Neiko 5-Inch Automatic (appx. $10) is a helper for when you're drilling into sheets of various thicknesses, since you can use it to make centering marks that offer you better control. It functions as an awl, too.

These Beadsmith Pliers (appx. $9) are uncomplicated and, what's more, they're available in several sizes, which means you'll have the right implement for the job. Unfortunately, though, they are on the flimsier side, so don't expect super strength or resilience.