Forstner, slot cut, trim bits...oh my! Do I have what I need?

[spOOf]

Okay, I am a complete woodworking novice.  I am converting a cab so I could avoid much of the woodworking.  But I can't avoid it anymore!  I need to do the control panel.

I am borrowing a router and jigsaw.  I have the control panel cut out already.  I will need to do the following:

Round the 2 front corners of the control panel (I have my old panel as a guide)
Drill holes for buttons.
Cut hole for 3" trackball (U-Trak).
T-molding.

Other stuff I may need to do is to cut holes for the speakers.  I have a grill to cover that work though.  Also, I may need to cut some wood for around the monitor.  But the 4 things above are what I'm most concerned with right now.

I am working with 5/8 plywood (I couldn't find 5/8 MDF at any of the 15 places I called locally) and I will have 1/8 plex.

What do you guys recommend I pick up?

I figure I need a 1/16 router bit for t-mold and a 1-1/8" forstner bit (like this one: link).

What else? How to I cut the trackball hole perfectly?  Links are appreciated.
 

[dirkomatic]

Actually, you should cut the slot for T-molding with a slot cutter...  I got the 1/16" one from MLCS http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html

I also bought Forstner bits from MLCS; one for my inset cabinet hinges (can't remember the size...), a 2 7/8" for the trackball (that's for the X-arcade trackball...  I'm not sure about any others) and a 1 1/8" for button holes.  You can use a spade bit for the button holes, but the Forstner bits provide a cleaner hole.

If you're just doing the control panel top, that should just about cover it.  If you're building a box for it to sit on, you may want a 45 degree chamfer bit to fit the corners together.

[spOOf]

Reusing box from my old panel.  So you're suggesting I buy a 3-1/4 forstner bit for the trackball?

[spOOf]

Oh, and what do you suggest for the rounder corners?

[GaryMcT]

I'm a newby too.  I recently bought a small drill press and a Forstner bit. . very nice stuff.  The button holes so far are the only clean part of this iteration of my control panel project.   Highly recommended.

[dirkomatic]

Reusing box from my old panel.  So you're suggesting I buy a 3-1/4 forstner bit for the trackball?

No, it's a 3" track ball and I'm mounting it directly to the MDF.  According to the X-Gaming instructions...  "use a router to cut out 5-7/8” by 5-7/8” down to ¼”. Cut 2-7/8” hole for lip/ball"...  So, to do that, I'm using a straight router bit as well to do the 5 7/8" square.

Oh, and what do you suggest for the rounder corners?

Not quite sure what corners you mean...  But would a round over bit work?  http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_round_over.html

[saleem]

Oh, and what do you suggest for the rounder corners?

you should be able to shape them surely with a router,have you got a flush trim router bit?use something round like small cup,place it near the corner,mark out,rough cut with jigsaw and you can use a flush trim router bit to shape it up.i would say that sounds best way to go.