what bit/piece do you use to drill buttons holes in a wood control panel?

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what bit/piece do you use to drill buttons holes in a wood control panel?

Is there a bit I can pick up for my drill at home depot to drill these holes?
thanks
 
regular size button holes? If so I would either use a hole saw or a paddle bit. Not sure of the correct size off the top of my head though.
 
I bought something like this (for metal or wood) at either Lowe's or Home Depot in the 1-1/8" size...

33%20Hole%20saw%20caked%20with%20plastic.jpg
 
That type is what I use, too. Be sure to make a good starter hole so the bit doesn't wander. That is really annoying. :)

Especially for wood. I usually use a 1/8" titanium bit and drill a pilot hole first so my hole saw has something to follow.

I plan to buy a knockout punch kit soon, so I'll be able to see how that works in comparison...
 
With the hole saw bits, they always seem to cut considerably larger than 1-1/8" for me... YMMV, but I'm addicted to the spade bits with wood.

For metal, I use those Harbor Freight stepper-bits. Hopefully I'm making sense. Start out with a 1/2" hole, then use stepper drill bit to cut each size up. It takes a while, which sucks...
 
With the hole saw bits, they always seem to cut considerably larger than 1-1/8" for me.

I clamp the wood panel in a drill press. Drill a 1/8" pilot hole all the way through. Now put in the 1-1/8" hole saw in the drill press. Drill halfway through the panel and use a shop vac to suck up the sawdust as you drill the hole. Now stop and flip the wood panel over. Finish drilling and vacuuming the other side.

You'll end up with a nice clean hole and be the correct size.
 
I clamp the wood panel in a drill press. Drill a 1/8" pilot hole all the way through. Now put in the 1-1/8" hole saw in the drill press. Drill halfway through the panel and use a shop vac to suck up the sawdust as you drill the hole. Now stop and flip the wood panel over. Finish drilling and vacuuming the other side.

You'll end up with a nice clean hole and be the correct size.

I use the same process, except without the drill press. I also do the same thing with spade bits (drill half way and flip over and drill from the other side).

If I am drilling holes for leaf switches, I will drill the large countersink first and then drill the center hole half way and flip it over. This gives the best and quickest switch holes.

ken
 
That type is what I use, too. Be sure to make a good starter hole so the bit doesn't wander. That is really annoying. :)

What I do is clamp the CP (wood or metal) to a large piece of wood. This can be MDF, 2 x 4 etc. When your pilot drill bit goes through and into the wood below it stays in place and won't wonder around. Simple and easy :D
 
If you want an exact size hole, square to the panel, use a Forstner bit in a drill press with the wood backed up with a piece of scrap wood. Clamp the wood securely while you drill it.

If you aren't picky, a hole saw and a hand held drill will probably be good enough. (Will splinter if you don't back it up or drill half way through from each side.)
 
ok Igot the 1 1/4" forstner.

home depot didn't have a 1 1/8". Would I be better off going back and getting something
else that is 1 1/8" ?
They didn't have any of bit's in 1 1/8" in the shape that cuts a nice hole. should I get a paddle bit instead?
Or is 1 1/4" going to work?
 
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ok, someone told me it was too big, so I went
back adn got an Irwin speedbor bluegroove 1 1/8" bit.
 
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