How do I make holes in Silver plated silverware?

I have often thought of using silverware to make jewelry and other things but right now in my life I just have no time to spare for anything extra and I love everything I am doing right now just too much to scrap something in order to do silverware crafts LOL ... I DO however have a link saved in case I ever DO find the time, and I saved it in case I run into any type of problems ... it was posted on the kollabora board from someone named Zula who said [she] couldn't get a hole put into a piece of silverplated silverware with their dremel, and asked for help. This is the answer they gotMax of Moxy Metals:

"Max of Moxy Metals commented 5 years ago

Hey Zula, I'm a metalsmith, and I teach jewelry design. Here are some tips for you for future projects involving silverware:

1. Dremmel tools ARE NOT drills. They have flexible shafts in them, if you use them as a drill you're likely to injure yourself and wear down the flexible part of the tool and risk breaking it. You need a good hand drill, or drill press like these: http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/BSM-5011/Schroder-Hand-Drill/?gclid=COLv...

or

http://www.woodcraft.com/PRODUCT/2083959/36610/PROXXON-BENCH-DRILL-MACHI...

2. You must center punch before attempting to drill the hole. You can see a demonstration of center punching here: http://kollabora.com/community/jewelry/learning/techniques/how-dap-metal  ;(note, the title of this demo should be center punching, not dapping)

3. You must make sure you have drill bits designed for metal: i.e. steel or titanium - NOT drill bits for wood, like brass. Because if you use the wrong drill bit you'll destroy the bit before you're able to drill the hole.

4. Remember to clamp the piece - NEVER hold a piece by hand, especially a dimensional one like silverware - when you drill. I suggest a C clamp lined with leather or rubber to avoid marring the piece."

I hope this was a help to you :) Thnaks for coming to HOmetalk for answers.

Hi Jenny, Here's a like that may help! http://www.ehow.com/how_8174341_drill-hole-flatware.html

Have fun!

You have use an awl or a small hole punch to make a dent in the silverware for the drill bit to grab onto .

Hi. All of the above tips, especially the centre punch, and also: the heat generated by drilling seems to make the bit break. I actually use a rotary egg-beater drill with a titanium bit and have had great success. I also shorten the bits so there isn't any wobble.