Author Topic: Cutting Holes For Pushbuttons (Read 2398 times)

JeepMonkey · « **on:** February 23, 2006, 03:46:33 pm »

Is there a spade bit or maybe a hole saw that will cut a hole the right size for a pushbutton to mount in? If so, what size?

I really would rather not cut that many holes with a jig saw.

rdmustang · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2006, 03:51:01 pm »

A quick search would provide an answer..

1 1/8" (spade or hole)

vartech · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2006, 04:31:58 pm »

Home Depot sells a 1 1/8 metal hole cutter that worked great for me

Necro · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2006, 04:35:27 pm »

Target sells a set of spade bits (10 of them I think) that has 1 & 1/8th and a bunch of others. I got it for... $8 I think. May not be as 'great' as the Home Depot one (it was $5 and they were out of it), but...well you get more options for other controls/joysticks/etc.

toasty · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2006, 05:14:47 pm »

Assuming you're using MDF, does a spade bit or a hole saw provide a cleaner hole? Does it even matter?

hnugz · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2006, 05:16:54 pm »

i dont think it matters, but I used a 1 1/8 in forstner bit and put a piece of wood on the bottom so when it went through the first piece the other was there, made an extremely clean cut.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2006, 05:57:14 pm »

Thanks guys. I much prefer to use spade bits over hole saws.

miles2912 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 06:54:30 pm »

I bought a cheap set of hole cutting bits and they burn the MDF after cutting about half way through. I don't know if this is normal or not so I borrowed a nice set from a neighbor and they still burned the wood but not as bad. I have a variable speed hand drill and adjusting the speed didn't seem to help that much. The burns are inside the hold and the MDF was 5/8. I am going to try some spade bits.

Don

whammoed · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2006, 08:03:52 pm »

Quote from: miles2912 on February 23, 2006, 06:54:30 pm

I bought a cheap set of hole cutting bits and they burn the MDF after cutting about half way through. I don't know if this is normal or not so I borrowed a nice set from a neighbor and they still burned the wood but not as bad. I have a variable speed hand drill and adjusting the speed didn't seem to help that much. The burns are inside the hold and the MDF was 5/8. I am going to try some spade bits.

Don

In wood or a wood product like mdf, you will get the cleanest holes with a forstner bit.

Hubble · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2006, 08:58:38 pm »

Might be slightly off topic, but . . .

I'm cutting all the holes for my console this weekend (using my dad's drill press). I know the correct hole diameter for pushbuttons, joysticks, and the spinner.

But the one component I haven't ordered yet is the trackball. I intend to get one from SlikStik (the 3" illuminated), but I'd like to cut the hole this weekend. I know it's an odd-shaped hole, but does anyone have dimensions handy, or a graphic they could post with the correct measurements? I tried Slikstik tech support, but they just suggested I buy the trackball first...

Thanks in advance!

markrvp · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:12:45 pm »

The trackball template is on the companion CD that comes with the PROJECT ARCADE book.

Necro · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:15:43 pm »

I'm fairly certain that's going to require a hole saw bit also. I dont know if that was implied, or you were even asking it, but...just FYI.

Dervacumen · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:18:11 pm »

Forstner bits are great but maybe overkill for this, spade bits a very close second and cheaper (after all, the finesse is hidden by the pushbutton anyway), and hole saws gum up and burn in MDF. At least my MDF.
Go slow with the spade in MDF and it makes some really beautiful curls.
Derv

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2006, 09:40:57 pm »

I agree, the reason I don't like hole saws is because they will burn the wood. Plus spade bits generally cut deeper, and are a bit easier to center.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2006, 10:07:22 pm »

Quote from: Necro on February 23, 2006, 09:15:43 pm

I'm fairly certain that's going to require a hole saw bit also. I dont know if that was implied, or you were even asking it, but...just FYI.

I would be sure to just draw the circle for the trackball and use that to center the template for the trackball plate. The area where the trackball goes is going to be a bigger cut out because of the size of the trackball housing. I printed off a copy of the trackball template from the bood and used that to make my cut.

Silverwind · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2006, 01:07:19 pm »

I have used both a spade bit and a forstner bit. Forstner bit is much cleaner IMO.

Necro · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2006, 03:14:08 pm »

I haven't done a ton of cutting/drilling like this, but if your using a hand held drill, wouldn't dipping the bit in some water all but eliminate the burning? The bit would be recooled down to room temp, etc.

Just curious.

Taborious · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2006, 04:20:33 pm »

CUTTING THE HOLES WITH A JIG???, 27 jig-a-saw holes, GREAT SCOTT Marty it can't be done!!!

I wouldn't even think about cutting the holes with a jig it would look like crap. Definetly get the bit from Home Depot, it will go right through the lexan as well...

Havok · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2006, 04:57:28 pm »

What about a flathead screwdriver and a hammer? That's how I made all my holes...

RickDIII · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2006, 05:31:04 pm »

Quote

Forstner bits are great but maybe overkill for this, spade bits a very close second and cheaper (after all, the finesse is hidden by the pushbutton anyway), and hole saws gum up and burn in MDF. At least my MDF.
Go slow with the spade in MDF and it makes some really beautiful curls.

I know you can get spade bits cheap, but if you have a local harbor freight you can get a decent set of forstner bits for $30. Some will say "30 bucks to drill holes - that's way too much" and some will say "must be garbage - only 30 bucks for a set of forstner bits".

Totally up to you and your budget etc. Personally, I don't mind shelling out the $30 for some bits that will do a good job when needed, but may not be top quality. I don't believe I will use them that often. Just my $.02 - err $30 worth.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47128

nostrebor · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:30:00 pm »

My Harbor Freight forstners have built 6 games so far and also do all my woodworking drilling as well. Great value.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2006, 09:45:09 pm »

I agree with buying quality bits for more money since they last and do a good job. Much better than buying cheap and having them break when you are using them.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2006, 07:10:49 am »

Quote from: Necro on February 24, 2006, 03:14:08 pm

I haven't done a ton of cutting/drilling like this, but if your using a hand held drill, wouldn't dipping the bit in some water all but eliminate the burning? The bit would be recooled down to room temp, etc.

Just curious.

Why wouldn't you just use cutting oil instead of losing the temper on the bit and screwing it up?


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