Correct/Best bit for drilling button holes through wood and plexi?

[Gunstar Hero]

Hey guys, just realized that I had lent my drill bit for button holes out like 2 years ago and I'm sure by now it's WAY gone.

On my new machine (and heck, my old one too) I plan to do a plexi overlay on a wood panel, and was wondering what size and type of bit should I buy?

[Gunstar Hero]

I think I got it.

New question!

Is the 1 1/8" Forstner bit also suitable for plexi or should I use a small hole saw?

[rbarr110]

I used a  1 1/8" "paddle bit" or spade bit for my buttons through the MDF top.  I then clamped down the plexi to the wood cp and used a smaller regular drill bit through the plexi, large enough to fit the router laminate trimmer bit to finish off the plexi holes.

[JonnyBoy]

I used 1 and 1/8th for the buttons and 1 and 1/4 for the sticks. At first I bought a spade bit and had hell of a time cutting plexi with it. It cracked on me. The second time around I sprung for a forstner bit, and it drilled through the plexi like nobody's business.

I reccommend springing for the forstner, especially if you plan on making more than 1 cab some day.

[JonnyBoy]

And hole saws + plexi = pain in the arse, well for the big 3 inch hole it was a pain in the arse.

[WwonderLlama]

I think I got it.

New question!

Is the 1 1/8" Forstner bit also suitable for plexi or should I use a small hole saw?

Forstner bits worked fantastically for going through my lexan/plexi/plastic stuff.  IIRC, I drilled my CP, then sandwiched my plexi between the CP and some scrap, otherwise, the plexi pulled up and splintered (cracked).

But yeah, Forstner bits are Good Things.

[MYX]

I am about to be doing my holes in plexi. I have already drilled my CP holes in the MDF. My plan is to drill a small hole in the center of the hole (on the plexi) and then route out the circle using a laminate cutter as it has the ball berring guide.

[markrvp]

I am about to be doing my holes in plexi. I have already drilled my CP holes in the MDF. My plan is to drill a small hole in the center of the hole (on the plexi) and then route out the circle using a laminate cutter as it has the ball berring guide.

This is a good way, and works as well as any.  My personal experience is that LEXAN cuts much better with Forstner bits than acrylic (plexi).  The acrylic will crack if you don't go really SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. 

On the other hand, acrylic cuts great on a table saw when you need to cut pieces for marquees or monitor covers.

[Knievel]

MYX and others, this is the bit you want for cutting out button holes in plexi/lexan:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=30184&cat=1,46168,46173&ap=1

With this you can plunge through the plexi and carve out the button holes without the risk/work of drilling first. Sort of a combination drill bit/laminate bit, it's what I've always used.

Here's a tip if you're using plexi that has a protective film on it that you can't see through..
Clamp your plexi to your pre-drilled CP then hold a trouble light underneath it. This allows you to see the button holes from above. Now you can mark the centers and you'll know where to plunge through.