Can I drill Formica?

[gonzobrian]

I have a computer kiosk I am converting.  It is covered with Formica.  I want to add flipper buttons on the side for pinball games.  Can I drill button holes through this stuff of will it crack?  Anyone have any experience with this?

[somunny]

Can you clamp a piece of wood to the laminated side to drill through?  That will keep the formica from chipping.

Steve

[gonzobrian]

Yes I think I can do that.  Thanks for the good idea.

[97thruhiker]

If in formica you are talking about countertop laminate then sure you can drill it.  Just take it easy with your drill speed.  The biggest problem you could run into drilling around laminate is where the bit will exits the wood.  For example if you are drilling from the backside towards the laminated side.  I've drilled several holes in my laminated cab (1/4 up to 11/8 in size) and have yet to have a problem. 

With all that said drill a test spot somewhere hidden if you are still unsure about doing it.

[needlesmcgirk]

I did that over the weekend.  Drilled 30 1 1/8" holes and 5 1 1/4" holes for my control panel through freshly laid Formica.  No breaks, just perfect.

I'll tell you what though, I was nervous...

[BamBam]

It is great stuff to work with.
I have used it on my entire cabinet.  No paint to worry about.
Easy to clean and it always looks new.
It resists scuffing and scratching too.

John

[gonzobrian]

So to all who have tried it should I clamp clamp a piece of wood to the laminated side to drill through?  I think I can do that but It will be harder to get my holes where I want them. 

[97thruhiker]

No, I don't think you need to clamp a piece of wood to the kiosk.  As you mentioned it will make it a little more difficult to place the hole exactly where you want it.  Since you are drilling for buttons I'm assuming the hole size will be 1 1/8 so get your self a good flat wood bit.  On the tips of either side of the bit will have a little raised cutting tip that will cut your hole size (as well as the blade along the length of the bit) once the center works itself in.  Just take is slow until these tips start to cut your circle into the wood.  Once you break through the laminate (you will know becase all you should see is wood and saw dust coming out) then open the drill up to a little higher speed until you break through.

[gonzobrian]

No, I don't think you need to clamp a piece of wood to the kiosk.  As you mentioned it will make it a little more difficult to place the hole exactly where you want it.  Since you are drilling for buttons I'm assuming the hole size will be 1 1/8 so get your self a good flat wood bit.  On the tips of either side of the bit will have a little raised cutting tip that will cut your hole size (as well as the blade along the length of the bit) once the center works itself in.  Just take is slow until these tips start to cut your circle into the wood.  Once you break through the laminate (you will know becase all you should see is wood and saw dust coming out) then open the drill up to a little higher speed until you break through.

Cool thanks 97thruhiker.  That is what I was looking for.  Yes that is the bit I was planning on using.  Glad to hear it should work.

[somunny]

No, I don't think you need to clamp a piece of wood to the kiosk.  As you mentioned it will make it a little more difficult to place the hole exactly where you want it. 

Exactly!  That's why you do it like so:

First, drill a pilot hole exactly where you want it.  Then clamp the piece of wood to the laminated side.  Then drill through you pilot hole AND the piece of clamp wood.  Then you know that when you drill through the hole will be correctly placed. 

You're not supposed to guess where the hole goes...