Putting very small airholes in heavier gauge plastic lids

[Sharno]

Hi all,

I am getting via amazon some deli cup type containers and I think they are a slightly heavier plastic. I was using a paper clip to poke holes in some of the deli cups I had before, but I think these will be too strong. Does a heated up safety pin do the trick, or will I need something stronger? These are going to be small slings so I don't want too big of a hole.

Thanks!

 

[captmarga]

Don't worry about heating the pin. Use a dressmaker's pin, or even a very small nail. I use a push-pin (not a thumbtack). I put the deli cup lid down on a cork trivet, then poke holes with the pushpin. Heating it isn't necessary if the pin is sharp.

Marga

 

[Bugmom]

I find it quickest and easiest to just use a heated nail.

 

[MB623]

Small drill such as a dremel tool works nice and leaves a clean hole if done right. Although it can scuff the area around the air hole, but taping over the area where you drill your air holes with masking tape then drilling through the tape and plastic prevents the scuff marks. One other problem with the drill is that plastic melts to the tip of the drill bit causing your bit to melt through rather than making a clean hole. You can prevent this by just drilling out a small amount of material from each hole at a time being sure not to stay at one hole long enough for the plastic to melt to the tip. I hope that makes sense.

 

[hamhock 74]

What I do is soften it up the plastic with a soldering iron until it indents but doesn't break, then prick it with a nail or another other object with a small sharp point while it is still soft.