Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace, Metalwork. How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole. Dog tags, usually worn on ball chains, have become a fashionable jewelry accessory and are made in materials ranging from the most expensive metals, such as platinum to inexpensive materials such as silicone.

Dog Tag Style Necklace

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Metalwork
  • Technique(s): Hole Punching
  • Skill Level: Beginner
Dog tags, usually worn on ball chains, have become a fashionable jewelry accessory and are made in materials ranging from the most expensive metals, such as platinum to inexpensive materials such as silicone. Some high-end jewelry stores sell precious metal dog tags pave set with rare and expensive gemstones.

Dog Tags as fashion accessories are often times worn in multiples on a chain or paired with a different pendant or charm. Change the size and shape of the rectangle and how it is worn to make the Dog Tag fit your style and design aesthetic. Metal stamps can be used to personalize each tag.

A Dog Tag style pendant does not really require soldering. The pendant made here is a bit more on the designer side. For quick and easy pendants, purchase a 1"x6" piece of silver and cut the strip into ½" sections. Punch holes and attach jump rings before sliding on a ball chain. Or, practice soldering skills by soldering the small jump ring to the rectangle as in Step 5 and not soldering the larger jump ring in place. Adding just that one little jump ring kicks the design level up a notch.

Materials

22 Gauge Dead Soft Argentium Silver Sheet - 6 Inches
H19-22SM6
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1 Inch
  • Price: $51.10
  • Gold Club Price: $38.32
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2.5mm 20-gauge silver jump ring
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Silver Filled Jump Rings Closed (18ga) 6mm - Pack of 10
S11-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.04
  • Gold Club Price: $1.53
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Tools

Pro Shear
SHR-544.00
  • SHR-544.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $12.95
  • Gold Club Price: $9.71
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GROBET FILE - BARRETTE CUT 2, 6"
FIL-31.030
  • FIL-31.030
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.20
  • Gold Club Price: $23.40
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SANDING SPONGES ASST- 5PC- 1EA GRIT 100-400
ABR-600.90
  • ABR-600.90
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.95
  • Gold Club Price: $7.46
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Flat Nose Wire Pliers
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Chain Nose Wire Pliers
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Magnesia Soldering Block
SOL-455.00
  • SOL-455.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.95
  • Gold Club Price: $5.96
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Blazer Big Buddy Turbo Torch, Black
TRCH-8010
  • TRCH-8010
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $40.00
  • Gold Club Price: $30.00
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Silver Solder Paste Medium SS70 - 1/4 T.O.
SOL-822.15
  • SOL-822.15
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.95
  • Gold Club Price: $14.21
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DELUXE 4 HOLE METAL PUNCH
PUN-420.04
  • PUN-420.04
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $64.95
  • Gold Club Price: $48.71
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Pickle Pot, 16 Ounces
CLN-584.00
  • CLN-584.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $31.95
  • Gold Club Price: $23.96
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NATURE'S TOUCH CITRIC PICKLE, 2LB PLASTIC JAR
CLN-163.00
  • CLN-163.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $17.95
  • Gold Club Price: $13.46
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Instructions
Step 1
Read through all the directions before starting the project. Follow all safety precautions pertaining to the tools and supplies being used and the area being worked in.

Determine the size and shape of the tag to be made. In this instance, a scrap of 22 gauge Argentium sheet dictated the length and width of the tag. On a piece of scratch paper, draw out a rectangle the size desired. Slightly round the ends of the rectangle. Cut the rounded rectangle out of the scratch paper. Use the scratch paper as a template. Place the template on the sheet metal. Use the retractable ultra fine point Sharpie to draw a line on the sheet metal around the edge of the inside of the template. Note: This is not a scaled down version of a military Dog Tag.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 2
Use metal shears or a saw to cut out the dog tag shape. File and refine the edges.

Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 3
Mark one end of the shape on the back side with a metal content stamp, if desired. This is also the time designs can be stramped or engraved on the front of the rectangle.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 4
Use sanding pads in increasing grits to finish refining and polishing the surface of the rectangle. See Step 12 for a finishing option.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 5
Place the rectangle on a magnesia soldering block. Place a small dot of medium paste solder in the center along the top of the rectangle close to the edge. Press the small jump ring into the paste solder. If needed, center the jump ring. Heat the rectangle until the solder flows.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 6
Use the deluxe hole punch to punch a 16-gauge hole in the center of the jump ring. It may be necessary to sand or file burs on the back side of the hole.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 7
Open the 16-gauge jump ring and insert into the hole in the tag. Close the jump ring. Turn the jump ring until the jump ring seam is inside the tag. Place a SMALL amount (I used WAY too much) of medium paste solder around the base of the jump ring on the back side of the tag.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 8
Place the tag right side up on a magnesia soldering block. Make sure the tag is flush with the surface of the block by pressing the back half of the ring into a groove in the block. Heat until the solder flows.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 9
After the pendant is cool, use flat jaw pliers to make the large jump ring into a slight oval shape.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace
Step 10
Pickle, rinse and dry the piece.

Step 11
Do any final refining of the pendant that may be needed.

Step 12
Tumble the pendant for several hours to work harden and polish it. The shiny surface of the pendant will get scratched up after only a few wears, like this one. A satin finish on at least the visible side might be a better choice.
Judy Larson's Dog Tag Style Necklace - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, dog tag style necklace