Drilling through laminate?

[Doom bucket]

I want to drill two more holes in my CP to add seventh buttons to each side. Only problem is, the laminate is already applied.

any advice?

[MrScary]

I've done this a few times.  You really only need to worry about hole placement.  It is A LOT harder if you are off a little.

I use a 1 1/8" paddle drill bit.  If it is sharp, it will cut right through.  Of course you will have to start it on the laminated side.  If you come though the other way, it will tear up the laminate.  If you have to come from the inside for placement, drill a small pilot hole first.  Then drill with the paddle bit from the outside using the pilot hole as a guide.

I you chip the laminate a little, no big deal.  The button will cover any minor blemish...

Good luck and good drilling!!

[Doom bucket]

will 1 1/8 paddle drill bit cut the appropiate size hole for the buttons?

[severdhed]

i use 1 1/8" paddle bit for all of my button/joystick holes.  i havent tried it with laminate though.  are the holes already through the wood, or are these completely new holes?  if the holes are already in the wood, just not the laminate, i'd probably drill a small hole in the laminate, and then use a flush trim router bit.  if they are new holes, then the paddle bit should do fine, as long as it is sharp.

[MrScary]

Yes...see here on the Happ Controls page.  You can see they spec out a 1.13 diameter hole.  A 1 1/8 bit is 1.125 diameter.  Fits perfect and make a nice, clean and round hole..

here.. http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/5891xxl.htm

L8R! 

www.croninsarcade.com

[bfauska]

The best choice to cut laminate in any way is almost always a router.  If however you have a paddle or spade bit with the points at the outside edges you should be OK.  Also be sure that if you drill a pilot hole for hole placement that it is VERY small, if the pilot tip of the spade bit can wobble in the hole it will not make a clean cut as it starts in the wood.

[LiquidFire]

You should avoid using a spade bit in laminate.

Plastic laminate (Formica or Wilsonart) has a grain and will chip up at the slightest tug, possibly well outside your bezel diameter.

I would use a hole saw, as sharp (and clean-maybe even new) as possible. Place masking tape over the drilling site and press hard on the tape to help add some resistance to chipping.

Make your pilot hole, drill from the bottom, up to half way through, then finish from the top.

[zaphod]

I've always used a very small starter hole (1/32"?) from the underside, trying to center it.  Then I take a 5/8" spade bit and drill through from the topside (using the first hole as a guide).  Finally, I use my 1/2" flush/trim laminate bit on the router to complete the circle.  Makes it perfect every time.  By using smaller bits before then, even if you get some small amount of chipping, it never even reaches the inner edge of the circle. 

[t8erbug]

Vermont brand makes a paddle bit that has a tooth at each corner and is tapper-ed in so the sides don't make contact. Between 5-10 dollars

[Grauwulf]

I use a forstner (sp?) bit to do my button holes. They cost a little more than a spade bit, but do a way better job. Mark your centre point on the back of the CP, and place the cp on top of some scrap wood under where your new hole will be. If you use the scrap wood, you reduce the risk of tearout and chipping your laminate. I use this same procedure when I'm making new button holes, regardless of the material.