Punching vs. Drilling — Holes And How We Make Them

Talking Stock

The only stock that is clearly better to punch than drill is plastic and vinyl. While both can be drilled (with quick strokes and slow spindle speeds), ideally, they should be punched. Heat and friction tends to melt these stocks and causes a mess within the drill bit. If the plastic hardens within the drill bit, you might as well throw it away. Some operators prefer to punch heavily varnished stock, rather than to drill it.