A method for cold working holes employs an automatic riveting machine that is fed with memory metal sleeves (6) having an O.D. slightly smaller than a hole (2) to be worked. A mandrel (10) is forced into the sleeve and plastically expands the sleeve in the hole thereby working the hole wall around the sleeve. The mandrel is withdrawn and the sleeve is thermally induced to return to its initial shape memory O.D. permitting removal of the shrunken sleeve from the work hole.