Asked on Jan 25, 2015
Making a hole in a plastic lid
+13
I need to make a nice smooth hole in the center of a plastic coffee can lid. I repurpose coffee cans and make tissue holders and using a craft knife or sharp scissors leave a rough edge and the tissue rips. Any suggestions?
15 answers
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Try a hole punch and a grommet
![Tudyrunningwater]()
Tudyrunningwater
on Jan 25, 2015
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A hole bit for a drill.
![Adrianne C]()
Adrianne C
on Jan 25, 2015
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How flexible are the lids? You can try folding them in half and then in half again and then cut a piece out of the center. Sort of like if you were making paper snowflakes or something.
![Lulu Dubin]()
Lulu Dubin
on Jan 25, 2015
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I've cut the hole just slightly smaller than needed. Then using an old knife & flame, get the tip of the knife hot and run it along the edge to smooth the edge. When I'm finished I do the same on the under side & top until I have it all smooth down. Takes some time & patience but I've used mine for delicate things like yarn and no snags. Good luck. I love the cans you show in your picture.
![Tammy Purl]()
Tammy Purl
on Jan 25, 2015
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I use an exacto knife but heat the blade over a flame. It cuts like butter but in small strokes.
![Diane K.]()
Diane K.
on Jan 25, 2015
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heat is definitely the answer to smoothing its not for children but I always take my plastic cut holes and use heaat or a lighter not too much not for long then wait a few secs not long and smoothe with my fingers to get a smoother edge I do the same with straw projects...
![April Pelfrey]()
April Pelfrey
on Jan 25, 2015
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Use a car cigarette lighter to melt a perfect hole .
![Vicky Griffin]()
Vicky Griffin
on Jan 25, 2015
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Heat up a knitting needle, it will slide right through
![Marja Smellink]()
Marja Smellink
on Jan 25, 2015
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Would taping the edges after cutting help?
![Marg Caputo]()
Marg Caputo
on Jan 25, 2015
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I would trace the size of hole desired onto the plastic lid, and then use a wood-burning tool to carefully follow the tracing. This should be done in a well vented area, is NOT for children to do, and, of course, assumes you have a wood-burning tool (or use a heated stencil making tool, if you have it).
![Andrea Robert]()
Andrea Robert
on Jan 25, 2015
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Go to Lowe's, The Home Depot, whatever home center/hardware store is in your area and buy a hole saw. Chuck it up in your drill. Place the lid upside down onto a piece of scrap wood and saw away. Hole saws come in a variety of diameters so you can choose which size will be best for your task.
![Swan Road Designs]()
Swan Road Designs
on Jan 25, 2015
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Thanks one and all for all the suggestions! I will be trying some of them soon and let you know how they come out. Thank you again!
![Judy Thornton]()
Judy Thornton
on Jan 29, 2015
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@Judy Thornton Hot knife, depending on size. Or heat some metal object. That's what I do when I make bottle waterers for plants to poke a hole in the top of the plastic water bottles, I heat a cake tester. But I've used a hot knife to melt a larger hole.
![Annie Medic]()
Annie Medic
on Feb 10, 2015
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Thank you.!! That's a good idea.!!
![Kayoko Susaki]()
Kayoko Susaki
on Mar 25, 2015
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![Joey]()
Joey
on May 22, 2018
Tudyrunningwater
on Jan 25, 2015
Adrianne C
on Jan 25, 2015
Lulu Dubin
on Jan 25, 2015
Tammy Purl
on Jan 25, 2015
Diane K.
on Jan 25, 2015
April Pelfrey
on Jan 25, 2015
Vicky Griffin
on Jan 25, 2015
Marja Smellink
on Jan 25, 2015
Marg Caputo
on Jan 25, 2015
Andrea Robert
on Jan 25, 2015
Swan Road Designs
on Jan 25, 2015
Judy Thornton
on Jan 29, 2015
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