newb hole drilling question?

[slicer_d]

I got a newb question here.  I got a redoctane arcade stick shell and I want to drill two extra holes in it.  I really dont know what type of drill bit to use to drill the holes.  What would you guys suggest?  I also need to make some holes in the lexan/plexi I'm going to buy what would you suggest for that?  

If there are any guides on how to do this that I missed just point my stupid but in the direction.

Also I dont have rounter or a drill press or anything so a drill bit would be preferable I could probably use my friends router or press but thats kind of a pain because he is hard to get a hold of and if I can use my own stuff I can do it whenever I want.  I do have a pretty high powered corded drill so I dont think power should be a problem.

Thanks

[Tiger-Heli]

I got a newb question here.  I got a redoctane arcade stick shell and I want to drill two extra holes in it.  I really dont know what type of drill bit to use to drill the holes.  What would you guys suggest?  I also need to make some holes in the lexan/plexi I'm going to buy what would you suggest for that?  

If there are any guides on how to do this that I missed just point my stupid but in the direction.

Also I dont have rounter or a drill press or anything so a drill bit would be preferable I could probably use my friends router or press but thats kind of a pain because he is hard to get a hold of and if I can use my own stuff I can do it whenever I want.  I do have a pretty high powered corded drill so I dont think power should be a problem.

Thanks

Gets asked a lot if you do a search.  For the wood, a 1-1/8 inch spade bit will do fine.  Probably for the Lexan as well.  Use Lexan not plexi.  A 1-1/8 hole saw would work for either as well.  The hole doesn't have to be especially clean or straight as the button lip will cover any errors.

[slicer_d]

Thanks I knew about the 1 1/8 part but I didnt know what the bit was called and I will use lexan for sure.

Thanks a bunch
Slicer_D

[john_mame]

If the holes are for buttons, its 1 1/8.
But if the holes are for joysticks, its usually 1 1/2.

[hyiu]

no need.... 1 1/8 is fine for joystick holes...

and it should work from metal panel to 3/4 in wood...

no need to buy another hole bit....

[eightbit]

If you use plexi instead of lexan use a hole saw bit and run it backwards. If your carefull with lexan you shouldn't need to run it backwards. The cleanest hole for wood would be a forstner bit but those are best used in a drill press though it could be used in a hand drill. As long as you don't crack the lexan it doesn't matter to much what bit you use because the lip on the buttons will cover the edge and the disc on the joystick will cover the edge there.

I think 1 1/2 is big for a joystick but it depends on the joystick and how thick the CP is. The thicker the cp and the longer the throw on the joystick the bigger the hole you'll need. On a 1/2" CP you should be able to get by with a 1 1/8" hole for most joysticks, just make sure you center exactly. Its difficult to drill the hole bigger(without a router) if you drill it to small so test some holes on scrap before you commit your CP.

[grafixmonkey]

Is it the material the arcade stick shell is made of that you're worrying about?  i.e., are you wondering what kind of bit will drill through steel, or something like that?

If that's the issue, I think you'll have good luck with any bit.  If it's steel, just apply a good amount of pressure, go slow, and put a little drop of oil where you're drilling the hole, and it'll go through fine.  Aluminum, same thing but you don't need the oil necessarily.  Any softer metal, don't worry about it it'll go through like butter.

Lexan will drill just like wood.  No problems.  And it makes cool curly-fry shavings!  If you're making large holes, don't use a spade bit.  Use a hole saw or a circle cutter.  That's the only difference between working lexan and working wood.  (other than the cool shavings.   )

[slicer_d]

Thanks for all the info guys!  I'm just drilling some extra holes in a stock redoctane panel and making a new lexan piece.  But I think I'm going to make a totally custom setup over X-mas break so all this info will come in handy.

Thansk a bunch
Slicer_D