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Author Topic: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?  (Read 5600 times)

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Generic Eric

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Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« on: May 05, 2014, 07:58:09 am »
I was practicing with my router an I found my self wondering if I could use it for making the button holes.  I understand forstner bits are the way to go.


Slippyblade

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2014, 09:58:06 am »
I just use an 1-1/8" spade bit in a drill.  Works fine for me.

kahlid74

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2014, 10:59:26 am »
I understand forstner bits are the way to go.

There are a lot of ways to do button holes, but this is the best way to do it.  I've used Spade/whole saw bits and router bits and dremel and you name it.  Nothing works like a Forstner bit.

Le Chuck

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2014, 02:59:31 pm »
I'm guessing you don't have a drill press deep enough to drill the CP and you're worried about your holes being at angles?  That would make sense on leading you to the forstner in a router thing.  Have you thought about a cordless drill press jig?  http://www.rockler.com/how-to/accurate-drilling-without-a-drill-press/

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2014, 03:06:40 pm »
I understand forstner bits are the way to go.

There are a lot of ways to do button holes, but this is the best way to do it.  I've used Spade/whole saw bits and router bits and dremel and you name it.  Nothing works like a Forstner bit.

+1. You can get them on eBay for a good price all day long.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Le Chuck

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2014, 03:16:24 pm »
I understand forstner bits are the way to go.

There are a lot of ways to do button holes, but this is the best way to do it.  I've used Spade/whole saw bits and router bits and dremel and you name it.  Nothing works like a Forstner bit.

+1. You can get them on eBay for a good price all day long.

That's where I buy all my good button holes. 

yotsuya

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2014, 03:20:02 pm »
I understand forstner bits are the way to go.

There are a lot of ways to do button holes, but this is the best way to do it.  I've used Spade/whole saw bits and router bits and dremel and you name it.  Nothing works like a Forstner bit.

+1. You can get them on eBay for a good price all day long.

That's where I buy all my good button holes.

I get my Forstners on eBay, but ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, if I can get the holes already done? Sign me up!  :cheers:
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Le Chuck

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2014, 03:28:19 pm »
GE, you should try: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-drill-a-straight-hole/ a simple jig for drilling straight holes.  It won't be pitch perfect but it will be damn close and better than just freehanding it.  If you use this just to drill your guide holes you shouldn't even need a guide with the forstner as it will just jump down the guide path. 

Generic Eric

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #8 on: May 05, 2014, 03:46:47 pm »
I'm guessing you don't have a drill press deep enough to drill the CP and you're worried about your holes being at angles?  That would make sense on leading you to the forstner in a router thing.  Have you thought about a cordless drill press jig?  http://www.rockler.com/how-to/accurate-drilling-without-a-drill-press/

I've been using 3/4 plywood for cp panels and the tear-out is ridiculous.  I am going to redo my CP for the Neo Geo 4 button layout because I don't play fighting games much enough to warrant the real estate on the CP.   

I enjoyed the links and I'll try that Bob Villa jig.

Le Chuck

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #9 on: May 05, 2014, 04:56:47 pm »
I'm guessing you don't have a drill press deep enough to drill the CP and you're worried about your holes being at angles?  That would make sense on leading you to the forstner in a router thing.  Have you thought about a cordless drill press jig?  http://www.rockler.com/how-to/accurate-drilling-without-a-drill-press/

I've been using 3/4 plywood for cp panels and the tear-out is ridiculous.  I am going to redo my CP for the Neo Geo 4 button layout because I don't play fighting games much enough to warrant the real estate on the CP.   

I enjoyed the links and I'll try that Bob Villa jig.

If you clamp the CP to some waste before you drill you can avoid the tear out... or just use some good forstner bits  ;D  ;D  ;D

Generic Eric

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2014, 05:04:14 pm »
I'm guessing you don't have a drill press deep enough to drill the CP and you're worried about your holes being at angles?  That would make sense on leading you to the forstner in a router thing.  Have you thought about a cordless drill press jig?  http://www.rockler.com/how-to/accurate-drilling-without-a-drill-press/

I've been using 3/4 plywood for cp panels and the tear-out is ridiculous.  I am going to redo my CP for the Neo Geo 4 button layout because I don't play fighting games much enough to warrant the real estate on the CP.   

I enjoyed the links and I'll try that Bob Villa jig.

If you clamp the CP to some waste before you drill you can avoid the tear out... or just use some good forstner bits  ;D  ;D  ;D
I have a Freud Forstner Drill Bit en route.

pbj

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2014, 05:28:41 pm »
I use a spade bit and do slow pulses with a drill.  Last control panel made out of particle board came out fine.

 :cheers:

Generic Eric

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #12 on: May 05, 2014, 05:34:07 pm »
Thanks for the replies everyone.  If I didn't get one, I'd always wondered.

Slippyblade

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2014, 05:34:43 pm »
Using a much smaller bit, drill out the center of the button.  Then using the 1-1/8" bit drill half way through the panel.  Flip panel, drill from other side.  Clean holes, no tear out.

Generic Eric

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2014, 05:43:36 pm »
Using a much smaller bit, drill out the center of the button.  Then using the 1-1/8" bit drill half way through the panel.  Flip panel, drill from other side.  Clean holes, no tear out.

It is quite possible I did not practice enough.  I used irwin spade bits from Lowes.  Perhaps those were too cheap?  *shrug* 

kahlid74

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #15 on: May 07, 2014, 10:20:32 am »
You should have said tear our at the start, completely different issue.  The Woodworking guild of america has great walkthroughs on how to avoid tear out.  Drilling the hole from one side and then the other is one way but it's half ass, no offense to those who do it.  Le Chuck is spot on the money.  When drilling holes like this you should ALWAYS have support material under it.  No tear out.

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Re: Is there a router bit suited for button holes?
« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2014, 05:42:05 am »
Seems like people convinced you to use a spade or forstner, but to answer your original question, yes, almost any router bit with a guide will do when used with a template. I used a 1/2" mdf to make a the button hole template, clamped that down, drilled a hole big enough for the a trim cut/pattern router bit, and routed away. This way, you will be sure that the layout of buttons is exactly the same for all players. Not have a button placement off by like .5mm, your friends wouldn't notice, but you will and it'll eat you up inside.