Push button holes

[sleong]

I'd like to find out which is best to use when drilling out the holes for the push buttons.

A forstner bit, hole saw or spade bit?

[Malenko]

Ive always used a spade bit 1 1/8"

[kahlid74]

Well, in order of use, I place them as the following:

• Forstner
• Spade
• Hole Saw

Remember the entire issue with Hole saw is it often times has trouble getting the debris away from the cutting teeth which results in burning the wood and a warped bit (depending on quality).

I had lots of problems with hole Saw and Spade worked moderately well until I went and got Forstner bits and then it was like a warm knife through butter.  I also have a drill press which makes a world of difference.

[yotsuya]

The jump from Spade to Forstner was incredible. Pick a Forstner up today.

[monkeychunkuk]

I use a spade bit but I recommend a small pilot hole without a steady hand you can REALLY wreck a CP it happened to me on the 8th hole I had drilled : (   Also like anything you can't beat practise and using a new bit helps loads

[ebarlow99]

The jump from Spade to Forstner was incredible. Pick a Forstner up today.

+1

[Connorsdad]

I would say the spade bit, I used a forstner bit for my entire cp and then opted for the spade bit for my side pinball buttons. The spade bit makes the process much quicker.

Sent from Amstrad CPC464

[BobA]

If you are using a hand held drill - spade
If you are using a drill press - forstner

Overall cheapest and fastest - spade

[darthpaul]

The only time I have ever used 1 1/8 drill bit is to drill holes for arcade buttons, so if this is all you are going to use it for than go with the spade bit.

[konp]

On the cabinet I'm currently building I'm gonna use a 28.5 mm forstner bit - they cut through acrylic like it's butter with no cracking or chipping, which is advantageous.

On the one I've already built I used a 30mm forstner (because I didn't have the 28.5 one).

[sleong]

What about using a hole saw?  What is the results like with those?

I'll probably be using a hand drill as that is what I have on hand.

[a1pharm]

What about using a hole saw?  What is the results like with those?

I'll probably be using a hand drill as that is what I have on hand.

Don't use a hole saw for buttons.  I have only found they are useful for drilling a hole for an undermounted trackball.

Use a spade bit instead, they work just fine.  I have used 2 types of spade bits, here are my thoughts on each:

This one works on wood and acrylic just fine:
http://www.amazon.com/MAGBIT-792-2216-8-Inch-6-Inch-Forged/dp/B000RX6X0Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1378655926&sr=1-6&keywords=1+1%2F8+spade+bit

This one only works on wood, but it chews through the wood MUCH faster than the type above.
http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-American-14468-8-Inch-Spade/dp/B00078JY7U/ref=sr_1_38?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1378655995&sr=1-38&keywords=1+1%2F8+spade+bit

Also: make sure you drill pilot holes with a small regular drill bit.  Sometimes spade bits "drift" slightly, so drilling a pilot hole is a must.

Notice that both of the bits are ~$6.  They will make the construction of your CP much more pleasant, and are superior to hole saws for drilling buttons.

It would be a shame if you used your hole saw and the teeth became dull, or the saw warped due to the heat experienced by it while drilling through MDF multiple times.

There's always more than one way to skin a cat, but there's usually a best way.  Using spade bits in your setup is the best way.

Cheers!
 

[sleong]

This one works on wood and acrylic just fine:
http://www.amazon.com/MAGBIT-792-2216-8-Inch-6-Inch-Forged/dp/B000RX6X0Q/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1378655926&sr=1-6&keywords=1+1%2F8+spade+bit

This one only works on wood, but it chews through the wood MUCH faster than the type above.
http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-American-14468-8-Inch-Spade/dp/B00078JY7U/ref=sr_1_38?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1378655995&sr=1-38&keywords=1+1%2F8+spade+bit

One bit is 1 3/8 while the other is 1 1/8.  For the regular push buttons are the holes not 1 1/8?  Or would it be ok to use 1 3/8?  Just don't want the wholes to be too big and then have a little play when pressing the buttons or that the nut holding the button cannot give it a tight fit.

I will pick up a spade bit.  Later this week.

Does the brand of bit matter?  I know there is the cheap and not so cheap bits.  Do the more expensive or branded bits stay sharper longer?  Not that it will be cutting anything too rough just wood products mainly for the cabinets.

[a1pharm]

The holes should be 1 1/8.  I just wanted to point out the different "types" of bits.

As far as brand of bit:  I have always bought the cheapest I could find, and haven't had problems in my CP builds.  If you get a warm fuzzy feeling buying more expensive ones: go for it, otherwise, get the cheap ones.