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Drilling metal cocktail CP

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Jefferson:

I'm thinking of starting my 2nd cab, a cocktail this time.  I'm tempted to order the metal control panels at the same time to consolidate shipping charges, but I dont know how I'd drill them myself.  I assume a forstner bit won't do the job?   They do offer to drill it up, but I want to order without deciding what the CP will look like at this point!  Do they make bits to drill 1 1/8 holes in metal with a power drill?  I'd like to not buy a bunch of new tools this time around...

the CP in question:
http://www.arcadedepot.com/HTML/control_panels.html

Nephasth:

You could use a hole saw to drill your holes. But if I were you, I would figure out your layout and just have them cut the holes.

TopJimmyCooks:

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you're asking this question, consider Nephasths good advice and have them punch the holes, or take it to a local sheet metal shop. They will probably punch all you want for $15 or so while you wait.  If you use a hole saw get a good one and make sure it's sharp.

Jefferson:

Hm alright, thanks for the advice.  I know the basic layout.

Do people generally figure out the art first or second?  I figure its cheaper to do multiple drafts of the art overlay.  I just need to learn a bit of illustrator to come up with something like this guys custom ms pac graphics... beautiful:

http://www.youtube.com/user/basicmicro#p/u/5/esQJD903oyo

eds1275:

I drilled mine a little while ago using a 1 1/8 bi-metal hole saw. It was easy just really time consuming. What I did was lay out my design on a piece of mdf and then drilled some tiny pilot holes. I then clamped the mdf to the metal and then drilled the pilot holes through the metal. And finally, from the back side of the control panel [in case the drill slipped and I scratched anything], I drilled through using the hole saw. I still have to drill my trackball hole but it's looking pretty good.




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