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Author Topic: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?  (Read 2526 times)

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eastbayarb

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What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« on: April 11, 2006, 01:35:12 am »
I did a search on this but not much of a deffinite answer. I am trying to add buttons to my control panel (I did not make this control panel but I am modifying it) but i need advice on what tool(s) to use for drilling proper sized holes for the buttons.

Thanx

ArcadEd

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2006, 01:40:44 am »
1 1/8th inch Hole Saw, Paddle Bit or Forsner (sp?) bit

eastbayarb

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2006, 01:48:36 am »
you got pictures of this "1 1/8th inch Hole Saw, Paddle Bit or Forsner (sp?) bit"

thanks for the advice

ArcadEd

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2006, 02:00:44 am »
Paddle Bit


Hole Saw


Forstner


Price wise, the paddle bit is the cheapest, then hole saw, then forstner

Good luck

Tahnok

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2006, 04:13:25 am »
You'll have better luck finding a 'paddle bit' if you search for it as a spade bit.

Some will argue the spade bit will give you rougher holes than the others. They all do a good enough job though for most CPs though.
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2006, 06:56:52 am »
Those bits are only good for a wood CP.  If you have a metal cp, you either need a metal hole saw, similat to the wood one shown, or a step drill bit. Neither of those options are horribly cheap, so if you only have a couple of holes to do, I would call around to some of the local shett metal or machine shops and see if then can do the holes for you.
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2006, 10:04:14 am »
Those bits are only good for a wood CP.  If you have a metal cp, you either need a metal hole saw, similat to the wood one shown, or a step drill bit. Neither of those options are horribly cheap, so if you only have a couple of holes to do, I would call around to some of the local shett metal or machine shops and see if then can do the holes for you.

Thanks for the info - you answered my question before I asked. I have about 3 holes I need to drill into a metal CP. Looks like I'll need a new drill bit...

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2006, 10:13:13 am »
You can buy a bi-metal hole saw at the BORG or other big box lumber yards for less than $15. These will drill a hole in metal, wood, acrylic, etc. If you are building arcade games, this is a good staple for the tool crib!

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2006, 10:30:22 am »
Those bits are only good for a wood CP.  If you have a metal cp, you either need a metal hole saw, similat to the wood one shown, or a step drill bit. Neither of those options are horribly cheap, so if you only have a couple of holes to do, I would call around to some of the local shett metal or machine shops and see if then can do the holes for you.

Thanks for the info - you answered my question before I asked. I have about 3 holes I need to drill into a metal CP. Looks like I'll need a new drill bit...
for leaf or microswitch buttons?  1 1/8" is fine for microswitch but usually you need 1 3/16" for leaf.  A greenlee punch is the best way for metal.  You drill a pilot hole and then use the punch to cut the actual hole.  They can be found cheap on ebay but are expensive new.

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2006, 10:30:54 am »
For metal control panels I use a 1-1/8" knockout (a.k.a. chassis) punch from Greenlee.

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2006, 12:15:46 pm »
IMHO, Paddle bit is the best. The hole saw made my MDF smell like a dookit. It burns the wood (more surface area rubbing on the inside of the hole), and it's been almost impossible to get rid of the smell.




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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2006, 08:51:03 pm »
I loved my forstner when I used it. 
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2006, 09:11:12 pm »
I use a a 1 1/2" spade bit for my buttons and a 1" spade for my joystick.  For the joy you can go bigger or smaller. As long as you can move you joystick fine and you boot fuly covers the hole you should be fine.
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2006, 09:13:52 pm »
Me likey the Forstner for wood, and the Greenlee punch for metal.

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2006, 09:16:56 pm »
I don't know if anyone said this, but I think I am going to use my grandfather's drill press, I would think a drillpress would be best for straighter more even holes.

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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #15 on: April 11, 2006, 09:22:12 pm »
I wish I had a drillpress :soapbox:.  As long as you know how to drill right you can get a straght hole without it.
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #16 on: April 12, 2006, 01:06:45 am »
The trick with a drill press is that your press has to have a long enough reach to drill the center most holes. I have found that my press can't do a full-size CP. I have also found though that button holes do not need to be overly exact.
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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #17 on: April 12, 2006, 10:53:36 am »



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Re: What tool(s) do you use for drilling button holes?
« Reply #18 on: April 12, 2006, 02:31:33 pm »
This plus a forstner bit.

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