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Drill bit size for pushbutton and joystick holes?

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RobopedeII:


--- Quote from: spiffyshoes on January 01, 2005, 12:38:39 am ---I haven't tried Frostner bits yet but I'd imagine they'd work good and fast on wood.
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subzero23:


--- Quote from: versapak on December 31, 2004, 09:54:09 pm ---A hole saw is great for drilling through a solid piece of natural wood, but MDF... MDF is a whole other monster.


Like I said... The wood burns, and the glue that holds it together melts. It ends up leaving a very difficult to remove block of wood in your hole saw, and not a very pretty cut to show for it.

A spade bit is MUCH quicker, with pretty = results as a hole saw.

A forstner bit is MUCH quicker, with much nicer results than either a spade or a hole saw, but it does cost a lil bit more.




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I suppose MDF could be different cuz he didn't specify but I'll ask him about the subject

_Iz-:

I'm a professional cabinet maker (have been for over 20 years). My first choice for machining a control panel from MDF would be to rout the holes on a CNC.  Obviously most people don't have access to one so for the home builder a spade or forstner bit are the next best choice. Holesaw would be my last choice (for exactly the reasons above) A holesaw's entire reason for existance is to make holes bigger than what is practical with conventional bits.

You don't need a forstner bit to make nice clean holes - you can get the same result with a spade bit if you either - clamp a piece of scrap stock under your workpiece and drill through both -OR- drill 1/2 way through the panel until the just tip of the bit comes through the other side, then flip the panel over and finish drilling from the back using the hole you just made to line up the bit.

A forstner bit is really only needed if you're making holes that don't go right through your workpiece and need a flat bottom in said hole.

Darth Nuno:



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