Main > Main Forum
Drilling laminate. Router or Forstner?
nickbuol:
I've done searches and have been reading for what seems like hours now, but can't find the answer to my question.
I have a nice router, I have a drill press. For control panel holes (joysticks and buttons), with a laminated top, which is better, using a forstner bit and drill press, or drilling my wood with a spade (cheaper than other bits), and then laminating it, and then drilling a hole just big enough to use a laminate trim bit and my router?
I found people asking about spade vs. forstner, and spade vs. router, but not router vs. forstner.
While I am already going to have to buy a laminate trim bit for my router, if the forstner is better or easier, I would rather buy it too because I am working on a larger 4 player, so I have a lot of holes to drill.
Also, what do I do for a 3" Happs trackball? Router method?
Thanks for any insight.
CJK:
If you're going to be drilling a lot of holes (and in this hobby, who isn't?), best to do it in one step. I'd go for a carbide-tipped Forstner bit -- if you're using a drill press, the Forstner bit will be easy to use. High speed steel bits will get dull fast if you're drilling through laminate, thus the recommendation for a carbide bit.
My $0.02, and worth every penny. ;)
-- Chris
nickbuol:
What about the trackball hole?
Timoe:
Are you flush mounting the trackball mount under the laminate? Or will it be flush mounted under printed vinyl?
pointdablame:
If you're using a trackball mounting plate, its a lot easier. Your hole can be far from perfect. You can either use a router to recess the plate so that the CP is flush, or leave it on top of the CP.
The plate makes it pretty self-explanatory. You'll need a hole for the trackball (obviously), and the holes for the bolts welded to the plate. After that, you'll be good to go.