Punch holes in deli cups?

I hope I am posting this in the correct forum.

I would like to know how to punch holes in deli cups.

In the past I got the pre-vented/pre-punched delis from Superior Enterprise. Now I work for a packaging company so I bought a case of deli cups and lids but not sure how to go about punching the holes. I was thinking a soldering gun might work (done outside due to fumes). My co-worker was thinking I could use a paper punch or a leather punch, he experimented on some other polyethylene product samples but it cracked the plastic. What do you do?

Thanks!
-April

Soldering iron.
Works great!

soldering gun worked beautifully! Thanks Steve

You can also use a regular hole punch too. You can get small sized punches that punch the same size holes as the pre punched cups have.

Originally Posted by KelliH

You can also use a regular hole punch too. You can get small sized punches that punch the same size holes as the pre punched cups have.

She stole my answer!

And if ya keep forgetting to buy one and your stuck in a pinch, take a wooden match and light it, blow it out and quickly push it thru the side of the deli cup. Makes a perfect hole.

I haven't tried it on the cups but on the lids I have used a safety pin (just watch you fingers ). I have a hole punch I have used but some cups have too big of a ridge to use it on or it bends the rim and the fit then is compromised and the lid could be popped off. The soldering iron works well in a well ventilated area (melting plastic can make you ). My last suggestion is if you have a drill with a small bit (new will work much better then an old bit) or a Dremel will buzz through a number of them at a time (again watch those fingers ).

hmm when my co-worker tried the leather and paper punch, it cracked the plastic. Maybe he was pressing too hard. And yes, well ventilated area is a must when soldering plastic, those fumes are toxic.

Now I just have to sit down and put holes in the other 497 cups I bought. will the fun never stop? heh

I like to use my Xray vision ---------------------------------------------
A work bench vice with a closet dowel rod ,and slip cup over dowel a couple at a time and drill this way it has tenchon behind the wall of the cup,and spin and drill

Soldering iron works great for putting holes in plastic, its as easy as ice cream on a warm summers evening.