Best bit for drilling button holes in metal

Deadpool66

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I'm recreating a new control panel for one my games Im sticking with metal that is not very thick but I doubt a spade bit could handle 6 button holes. Suggestions welcome I'm heading to the store very soon.
 
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I like the unibit (step-bit already mentioned) but it can be tough to find one that goes up to 1-1/8".

Alternatively you could buy a hole punch. Hole saw would work too but that would be my last choice.
 
i have tried all 3 methods
and the hole punch is the best
a distant second is the unibit
and a way way third is the hole saw


once you use a greenlee hole punch you will love it forever. It is so eaasy to use and make a perfect hole with no sharp edges too.
 
How much does a hole punch cost? I Googled Greenlee hole punch and got results ranging from $200+ to the thousands. Is there an affordable hole punch? At that price it would be hard to justify the cost, unless you had other uses for it.
 
How much does a hole punch cost? I Googled Greenlee hole punch and got results ranging from $200+ to the thousands. Is there an affordable hole punch? At that price it would be hard to justify the cost, unless you had other uses for it.

Harbor freight has a set for like $30 shipped or so. I have it.
 
Check Hong Kong Fooey tools, they have a ton of stuff on sale right now. They might even have the hole punch set on sale. I have one and it is the best for thin metal control panels. I used to use a hole saw, but after a few holes I had to replace it. Not to mention all the metal slivers.

ken
 
Rigid hole saw from Home Depot. There's no 1 1/8" online so I can't link it but your Home Depot will have it. I have cut many, many holes in metal CP's and it's still sharp and good to go for more. One issue you may run into is clamping a piece of wood down to guide the bit...
 
I used to use a hole saw, but after a few holes I had to replace it.

You were probably using the wrong kind of hole saw then...

I bought a good bi-metal (usually) blue hole saw and it went through an atari control panel like butter... weill, not actually like butter, but still pretty easily ;)

And that was a monster 3" hole for a trackball, using my cheapo cordless drill.
 
Guess im ordering a hole punch becuase I only get one shot at doing it right before it costs me more money.

I have a Greenlee punch set (from electrical business) but if I was just buying for arcade games I'd get the HarborFreight version for $25 (plus every Maxim Mag has a 20% off coupon)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91201

91201.gif

EDIT: Use the 3/4" PIPE KO for arcade buttons (the 3/4" is the inside pipe diameter, glad they mark these this way, it was always a pain to try and find the right size hole saw when you only knew the pipe inside size)

Also pick up the security bit set for $4.99 - $9.99 when you are there. (I know I saved a $4.99 ad around here somewhere.....)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91310
 
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that was a monster 3" hole for a trackball, using my cheapo cordless drill.

For the OP (Original Poster) or anyone else...
If you also want to do track ball size holes you can buy additional dies for the larger sizes (its a MUCH cleaner hole IMO)
But also HF sells a Hydraulic Punch Driver Kit thats up to a 2" pipe/trackball for $99 (I measured the ArcadeShop 2" trackball hole and it is 2 3/8" same as a 2" pipe KO)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96718

96718.gif



they also sell a seperate 3" KO Die for $29 that should be the same size as a 3" trackball (check trackball and pipe hole size to be sure)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96796
 
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Hole punches are probably the best for metal control panels. However, hole saws work quite well, and they also work on plexi and wood. I have a hole saw and augur that I bought at Lowes for about $12 and I've drilled probably 30 holes in wood, metal and plexi and it still looks like new.
 
I have a Greenlee punch set (from electrical business) but if I was just buying for arcade games I'd get the HarborFreight version for $25 (plus every Maxim Mag has a 20% off coupon)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91201

91201.gif

EDIT: Use the 3/4" PIPE KO for arcade buttons (the 3/4" is the inside pipe diameter, glad they mark these this way, it was always a pain to try and find the right size hole saw when you only knew the pipe inside size)

Also pick up the security bit set for $4.99 - $9.99 when you are there. (I know I saved a $4.99 ad around here somewhere.....)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91310


I know it may be a stupid question, but what else is needed with that $25 set? As in, what do you attach those to, to make them punch the hole?
 
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