Cutting Tball and button holes in Metal CP?

[Crayola]

So I need to add a few button holes and a 2 1/4" trackball
hole to a metal control panel. Any suggestions on how to do this?

Would a hole saw work? I havent had good luck with hole saws
and metal. They tend to wander until they bite in. Usually where I
dont want it to:(

Crayola

[JustMichael]

Greenlee hole punches make nice holes.

[Crayola]

Got a good source for them? They seem kinda expensive.

Crayola

[JustMichael]

Got a good source for them? They seem kinda expensive.

Crayola

Sorry no I don't.  Also I have no idea what size for the trackball. You could find out how much a local machine shop would charge to punch the holes for you. 

[bkenobi]

You can use a hole saw or step drill for the buttons, but the trackball will be more complicated.  Are you planning on having a bezel of some kind around it?  If so, you can probably cut it with a hack saw and file it down to the final dimensions.  If the edge will be exposed, I'd get a machine shop to do it for you.

[eds1275]

drill a small pilot hole... use a metal cutting hole saw. I saw a 3" one at Canadian Tire the other day, though it doesn't say so on their website.

[gShooter]

Not a permanent solution, but any metal shop or motorcycle/auto custom shop in your area might have a wet metal cutting machine, or laser which would help you for a simple fix.  The prices are pretty low especially if you show up in person.  Certain Napa Auto parts stores can also do it (along with sand blasting) for very little $$$.

Buying your own hole saw, or set, sets you up for life though might be too much $$$ for 1 cut.