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Drilling Holes in Holey Metal

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DeLuSioNal29:


--- Quote from: leapinlew on July 27, 2011, 01:53:24 pm ---wouldn't the holes give your drill bit stability?

--- End quote ---
I think Lew's onto something here.  Here's what I would do:


* Pre-cut the holes on wood to the layout of your choice using a wood bit.
* Clamp the wood to the metal with the wood on TOP.
* Switch to the metal bit and then using the holes as a guide, make the rest of the holes in the metal.
Note:  You may need to drill out a small hole in the center of each on the metal one once you make once the wood template and clamp it to the metal.  This should be done with a slightly bigger bit than the bit you will be using to make the button hole; with a normal drill.  Then, when you drill through the metal using the metal bit, the wood holes themselves will stabilize the outside portion of the drill bit; since the metal center of the bit will not be touching anything.

DeLuSioNaL29

Necro:

Delusional - I think I get it now.  I'm still a bit iffy though because I won't be able to use the cutting oil easily.  I actually had a blank art 'template' and pre-drilled the pilot holes for everything (hence finding out the issue as kind of a surprise when I went to drill and the bit wandered/shifted unexpectedly).  Based on that, I actually can make a single hole 'jig' I can clamp to the panel and to underlying wood and then use that in my drill press repeatedly as I can center it on the hole as necessary.  Nice...very nice!


I have a feeling I'm going to try 2-3 of the above options until I get it done.  Luckily, my artwork/overlay will cover any mistakes and I should be able to 'fix' things with glued on metal backing or wood if necessary based on where the holes are.  

Thanks everyone.  If work goes well tomorrow, I may take friday off to get this thing done.  :)


gryhnd:


--- Quote from: leapinlew on July 27, 2011, 11:02:57 am ---pre-cut the holes in the wood...

--- End quote ---

Agreed. Works well. I did the same thing when I needed to widen the holes in an old TV cabinet:





mgb:

I like that idea, I may take Friday off too in order to show my support.
.... but wait we're cooking out at the office that day, hmmm maybe I'll take monday off instead.

Necro:


--- Quote from: gryhnd on July 27, 2011, 07:30:52 pm ---Agreed. Works well. I did the same thing when I needed to widen the holes in an old TV cabinet:

--- End quote ---

The problem is 'm cutting through steel and it requires cutting oil...if it was wood, it would be fine. (see what I did there)

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