Drill press?

[Richardgregory]

Just curious whether its necessary to have a drill press to make arcade button holes vs using a hand drill?  Just thinking in terms whether using a hand drill might introduce a greater chance of inaccuracy (ie.  crooked holes per se)

[shponglefan]

I've always drilled by hand and never had an issue.  Buttons tend to flatten out by their design, so unless you drill at an extreme angle or something, slight variations will have no impact.

[PL1]

If you're concerned about being a off on your drilling angle and can't find a drill press with a deep enough throat (giggity), consider using a drill guide like this one.




Scott

[Richardgregory]

Well I have 18 holes to make. Just dont want to mess up on the 17th. Sounds like
golf 

[PL1]

lie golf

Isn't that par for the course.      


Scott

[TopJimmyCooks]

one technique is to stand a small square block of wood on end next to the drill bit as you drill.  you can visually align the shaft of the drill with the block and get decent enough alignment for this application. 

[wp34]

one technique is to stand a small square block of wood on end next to the drill bit as you drill.  you can visually align the shaft of the drill with the block and get decent enough alignment for this application.

That's a good tip.


Sent from my Atari 800 mobile device using Tapatalk

[CoryBee]

hehe, shaft....

hehe....tip

[michelevit]

If you have a handheld router you can layout all your cuts on a template made with mdf or luanne.
Take your time to make them perfect.
Clamp this template over your control panel top and use a handheld router with a bearing bit to transfer the button holes to your control panel.

This method insures all 17 buttons are exactly where you want them.

[knave]

I'm pretty sure that if you are drilling on a flat surface your holes will be fine. But the block of wood is a neat idea.

...any slight variation will be covered by the button lip.

[kahlid74]

I've drilled two 4 player CP's by hand and 4 with my Drill press.  Drilling by hand is a far easier setup but can be exhausting depending on the sharpness of the bit but tend not to be too far off as long as you use a forstner bit.  If you use a spade you can have a bit of movement if you don't hold it steady and if you use a hole saw bit best of luck.

I will NEVER go back to drilling by hand now.  With a forstner bit and my drill press it takes a little longer (10-15 seconds more for setup per hole and totaling probably 30-40 more minutes in the end) but it's literally pull the lever down and right through you go.  With a hand held drill you sometimes have to wiggle it or push super hard.  The drill press does all the work for you.  For me it was night and day difference.

[TopJimmyCooks]

 That said it's one of those tools in the category of not worth buying if you're only going to make one CP every 3 years or so. 

[wp34]

I've drilled two 4 player CP's by hand and 4 with my Drill press.  Drilling by hand is a far easier setup but can be exhausting depending on the sharpness of the bit but tend not to be too far off as long as you use a forstner bit.  If you use a spade you can have a bit of movement if you don't hold it steady and if you use a hole saw bit best of luck.

I will NEVER go back to drilling by hand now.  With a forstner bit and my drill press it takes a little longer (10-15 seconds more for setup per hole and totaling probably 30-40 more minutes in the end) but it's literally pull the lever down and right through you go.  With a hand held drill you sometimes have to wiggle it or push super hard.  The drill press does all the work for you.  For me it was night and day difference.

I prefer my drill press as well but there is no way I can reach far enough into the work-piece to drill the P1/P2 buttons or trackball.  Drilling around the edges is fine---start buttons for example.  What type of drill press do you have?  I've looked at radial drill presses but they seem to be pricey.

[Richardgregory]

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2. 

That said it's one of those tools in the category of not worth buying if you're only going to make one CP every 3 years or so.

[wp34]

I would say no if your only use will be to build a CP or two.  That being said I use my drill press fairly frequently.  It is a great tool to have.  As kahlid74 said the drill press does the work for you.  I try to use mine whenever appropriate. 

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2. 

That said it's one of those tools in the category of not worth buying if you're only going to make one CP every 3 years or so.

[shponglefan]

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2.

If your only use is going to be a CP or two, then no.

I think you may be a bit too worried about not getting perfectly straight holes.  Having drilled 100+ button holes in various materials, with a hand drill and using both Forstner bits and hole saws, I have yet to have a single issue.  There is enough allowable margin of error that the chance of screwing it up is slim.

Although the other option if you are that worried about it is to make a template (per michelevit's suggestion), then use a router + flush trim bits to do the CP.  Although that honestly seems far more work than just drilling the holes directly...

[nordemoniac]

What kind of button? On HAPP buttons which are tightened with a nut, I wouldn't be concerned at all to hand drill!

I used a hole saw which had the exact same width as the button. Once the drill-bit is through, and the saw is starting to its thing, it will almost automatically go straight in.

Just be patient and let the tools do the work, and I'm pretty sure you will have 100 % perfect holes with a hand drill.

[Vigo]

To echo wp34, I absolutely love my drill press. I use it all the time. I only have one I bought on clearance for $40, but it drills anything I throw at it like a champ. As he pointed out, unless you have a huge drill press, you are gonna be "pressed" to get a hole in the center of your control panel. (Sorry about the pun, I couldn't resist.)

On a side note, I have been toying with the idea of making a custom base to my drill press. I was thinking a making a shorter base with an open slot to slide in a control panel. Then I can just unclamp my drill press when needed from the standard base, and reclamp it on to my custom base for control panels. I'm thinking chain link pipe might fit the base collar on my drill press and would be perfect to use.

[Richardgregory]

Ok, thanks for saving my money   I'll then opt out of getting a drill press, but instead use a hand drill.  On that note, are there any techniques or things I should/shouldn't be doing to ensure that I get straight holes?

I am using all Happ buttons by the way.

Thanks!

[wp34]

That sounds pretty slick.  Please post pics if you get something working.

To echo wp34, I absolutely love my drill press. I use it all the time. I only have one I bought on clearance for $40, but it drills anything I throw at it like a champ. As he pointed out, unless you have a huge drill press, you are gonna be "pressed" to get a hole in the center of your control panel. (Sorry about the pun, I couldn't resist.)

On a side note, I have been toying with the idea of making a custom base to my drill press. I was thinking a making a shorter base with an open slot to slide in a control panel. Then I can just unclamp my drill press when needed from the standard base, and reclamp it on to my custom base for control panels. I'm thinking chain link pipe might fit the base collar on my drill press and would be perfect to use.

[nordemoniac]

Ok, thanks for saving my money   I'll then opt out of getting a drill press, but instead use a hand drill.  On that note, are there any techniques or things I should/shouldn't be doing to ensure that I get straight holes?

I am using all Happ buttons by the way.

Thanks!

Make sure the CP is secured, that way you can use both hands to hold the drill.

My tips:

- Make sure you have good tools! A hole saw is useless if it isn't sharp (unless you're drilling plexi).
- Use a small drill bit first to drill through the center. This will make it easier to guide the drill on the hole saw.
- Drill slowly and let the tools do the work. Try to make the saw as flat as possible to the CP, and when it touches and start sawing, hold steady and give full power until you're through, but DON'T push it through! It should do the work with a slight pressure only.

Stop and wait if it starts smoking! You might have to much sawdust building up, or/and a bad sawblade.

[kahlid74]

I've drilled two 4 player CP's by hand and 4 with my Drill press.  Drilling by hand is a far easier setup but can be exhausting depending on the sharpness of the bit but tend not to be too far off as long as you use a forstner bit.  If you use a spade you can have a bit of movement if you don't hold it steady and if you use a hole saw bit best of luck.

I will NEVER go back to drilling by hand now.  With a forstner bit and my drill press it takes a little longer (10-15 seconds more for setup per hole and totaling probably 30-40 more minutes in the end) but it's literally pull the lever down and right through you go.  With a hand held drill you sometimes have to wiggle it or push super hard.  The drill press does all the work for you.  For me it was night and day difference.

I prefer my drill press as well but there is no way I can reach far enough into the work-piece to drill the P1/P2 buttons or trackball.  Drilling around the edges is fine---start buttons for example.  What type of drill press do you have?  I've looked at radial drill presses but they seem to be pricey.

I looked around a bunch, because I wanted to get a "Real" drill press but didn't want to spend 1k on it.  I found the Porter Cable (http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0__) one which is actually a really well built unit (Sold as multiple other names too).  I viewed it at Lowes, checked numerous reviews online and made the purchase.  As always, use the handy dandy Harbor Freight 20% off coupon and it's good to go.

I am actually able to get all four players drilled as I build my cabinets to allow for it.  It's tricky, but you can do it.

I'd be interested to see the Jig you make Vigo.

So as far as using a drill press, I told myself I would use it all the time, even on regular drilling but I've found it's so much easier to grab the 18volt Bosch and take it where the wood piece is.  I still use the drill press for super accurate stuff and CP drilling but it's not worth 1k for me.

[TopJimmyCooks]

Vigo- be careful with those pipes made for chain link fencing.  they are sometimes very thin wall pipe.  you may want to see if there's a rigid conduit or galvanized plumbing pipe in the same OD size. 

[Vigo]

Vigo- be careful with those pipes made for chain link fencing.  they are sometimes very thin wall pipe.  you may want to see if there's a rigid conduit or galvanized plumbing pipe in the same OD size.

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the heads up. I will keep that in mind.

[Razzer]

On a side note, I have been toying with the idea of making a custom base to my drill press. I was thinking a making a shorter base with an open slot to slide in a control panel. Then I can just unclamp my drill press when needed from the standard base, and reclamp it on to my custom base for control panels. I'm thinking chain link pipe might fit the base collar on my drill press and would be perfect to use.

or get one of these 

[Richardgregory]

Ok, so I can get a bench drill press for $80 - perhaps for the sake of saving time and effort in drilling 20 holes, I might just go this route.

[wp34]

That looks like a nice drill press.  Mine is a desktop Craftsman and the throat must be smaller. 

I was drilling a CP today and could not get any of the buttons to reach on the drill press.  They were close but not quite.  I can't find my 1-1/8 Forstner so I ended up using a hole saw.  The 3" and 2" hole saw went through 5/8 MDF like butter.  The 1-1/8 hole saw heated up very quickly.  I had to take breaks and clear the teeth several times.  That aside the hole saws worked very well.

I've drilled two 4 player CP's by hand and 4 with my Drill press.  Drilling by hand is a far easier setup but can be exhausting depending on the sharpness of the bit but tend not to be too far off as long as you use a forstner bit.  If you use a spade you can have a bit of movement if you don't hold it steady and if you use a hole saw bit best of luck.

I will NEVER go back to drilling by hand now.  With a forstner bit and my drill press it takes a little longer (10-15 seconds more for setup per hole and totaling probably 30-40 more minutes in the end) but it's literally pull the lever down and right through you go.  With a hand held drill you sometimes have to wiggle it or push super hard.  The drill press does all the work for you.  For me it was night and day difference.

I prefer my drill press as well but there is no way I can reach far enough into the work-piece to drill the P1/P2 buttons or trackball.  Drilling around the edges is fine---start buttons for example.  What type of drill press do you have?  I've looked at radial drill presses but they seem to be pricey.

I looked around a bunch, because I wanted to get a "Real" drill press but didn't want to spend 1k on it.  I found the Porter Cable (http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0__) one which is actually a really well built unit (Sold as multiple other names too).  I viewed it at Lowes, checked numerous reviews online and made the purchase.  As always, use the handy dandy Harbor Freight 20% off coupon and it's good to go.

I am actually able to get all four players drilled as I build my cabinets to allow for it.  It's tricky, but you can do it.

I'd be interested to see the Jig you make Vigo.

So as far as using a drill press, I told myself I would use it all the time, even on regular drilling but I've found it's so much easier to grab the 18volt Bosch and take it where the wood piece is.  I still use the drill press for super accurate stuff and CP drilling but it's not worth 1k for me.

[shponglefan]

Ok, so I can get a bench drill press for $80 - perhaps for the sake of saving time and effort in drilling 20 holes, I might just go this route.

Just keep in mind it probably won't save any actual time.  After all, drilling is drilling, whether it's by hand or via a press.  But it will likely make for cleaner holes.

[Hothman]

I just finished a multi-williams control panel.  If you are going to use buttons for leaf switches, you can't drill all the way through.  You have to drill a 1 1/8" hole about 7mm deep on one side (for the button).  Then you need to drill a 1 1/8" hole about 3mm deep for the pal nut on the bottom.  Then you need to drill a 3/4" hole for the button threads.  Then as you can see in the picture, 12 holes for the t nuts to hold the joysticks and contorl panel latches.  That's a lot of holes and I'm glad I had a drill press to do it.

[CaptainMarvel]

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2. 

Harbor Freight Tools has a fairly affordable 5-Speed Bench Drill Press that seems perfect for this kind of project.  Using one of the 20%-25% discount coupons that are pretty much everywhere, you can get yourself a decent DIY'er drill press for about $50.

 

[kahlid74]

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2. 

Harbor Freight Tools has a fairly affordable 5-Speed Bench Drill Press that seems perfect for this kind of project.  Using one of the 20%-25% discount coupons that are pretty much everywhere, you can get yourself a decent DIY'er drill press for about $50.

 

Be careful, this won't work for 4 player panels as it isn't deep enough for those CPs.  This would only be usable on bartops or similar type small CPs.

[CaptainMarvel]

That's the question. Is it worth the money to buy a drill press to build just 1 control panel. Well maybe 2. 

Harbor Freight Tools has a fairly affordable 5-Speed Bench Drill Press that seems perfect for this kind of project.  Using one of the 20%-25% discount coupons that are pretty much everywhere, you can get yourself a decent DIY'er drill press for about $50.

 

Be careful, this won't work for 4 player panels as it isn't deep enough for those CPs.  This would only be usable on bartops or similar type small CPs.

Deep enough as in width wise?

[Vigo]

Yeah, should be width wise. I have a similar press. It should be able to plunge at least a couple inches deep, and the base plate is height adjustable. Width from drill to base is another story....

[CaptainMarvel]

Wonder if this might be any better  . . . .



http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-16-speed-bench-drill-press-38142.html




Either way, I may still pick up this bad boy for my home workshop anyway.   

[Richardgregory]

I picked up a drill press and I don't think I will ever build a CP without one: it's more accurate and easier I find than using a freehand drill - saves money too, as it minimizes errors (perhaps my technique isn't that great, but still....

Indeed, the platform I find too small - not sure how others manage larger pieces of wood on the such a small base.

[CaptainMarvel]

I picked up a drill press and I don't think I will ever build a CP without one: it's more accurate and easier I find than using a freehand drill - saves money too, as it minimizes errors (perhaps my technique isn't that great, but still....

Indeed, the platform I find too small - not sure how others manage larger pieces of wood on the such a small base.

Can't one simply drill one end of the CP, then turn it around and drill the other end?

[drventure]

Can't one simply drill one end of the CP, then turn it around and drill the other end?

+1, Just drill a pilot hole all the way through with a small bit, change to a spade or forstner, drill about half way from one side, then finish from the other. Nice clean holes, no alignment problems.

[Vigo]

Yeah, agreed, as long as you don't have a overly deep control panel.