Best tool for putting a hole in an enclosure?

Frequent question about boxes and accessories: painting, etching, clearcoating, lettering, glueing, and so on.
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astrobass
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Post by astrobass »

Hey

I just modded my CryBaby and would like to make some pots externally accessible. I've got just a mediocre 14V Black and Decker power hand drill, so I anticipate purchasing a new tool to use for this (can't imagine that hand drill is going to be ideal for this for a few reasons).

The question is, if you were going to buy a new tool for drilling into enclosures, what would be your pick? I imagine a drill press would be best, but ideally something smaller than that.

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tasteless
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Post by tasteless »

In hindsight , Buying My little drill press was one the smartest moves I've ever made.
I think it's 1/3 or 1/2 hp , 5- speed and cost about $150
I use it for all manner of tasks ( Other than stompbox related ).

The problem with drilling a Crybaby is the angled sides ( A press with an adjustable base plate can deal with this ).
A good clamp is essential.

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astrobass
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Post by astrobass »

Really, eh?

I was looking at grabbing a dremel, but that's not so much more. Has anyone here tried using a Dremel for this or am I over thinking things and should just get a drill press?

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microsynth
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Post by microsynth »

I use a vise and an ancient .5hp hand drill. It cut right through the crybaby chassis I was working on last month.

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Post by fuzzfiend »

I use an old Craftman drill stand like this one...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-duty-Cra ... 35c507f116

You just secure your hand drill in it and voila- Instant drill press! I've read mixed reports about new ones, but old ones are usually available pretty cheap on da 'bay.

Also, I use a stepped drill bit (Unibit) for all my boxes. Best invention EVER!

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astrobass
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Post by astrobass »

How much power do I need? Is 0.5 HP necessary or would a 1/4 HP press do the job?

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davent
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Post by davent »

For a hole in a wah shell all you need is a centre punch and a hammer...

Image

but... you should get a cleaner hole with a drillpress, all you really need is a small benchtop version and once you spring for one you'll wonder how you ever got along without one, invaluable.
dave

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astrobass
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Post by astrobass »

There are a couple of used presses in the $30-$75 range in my area, so that's extremely affordable, but they all appear to be only 1/4 horsepower. I could spend about $150 to buy a 1/2 horsepower model new, but if I can save a hundred bucks, obviously I'm going to.

I'm definitely going to only consider models with a tilting table so that can drill into things like wah enclosures safely, but the amount of power required is something I'm very curious about.

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Post by astrobass »

Actually, nuts to this. I'm buying this:
http://m.canadiantire.ca/mt/www.canadia ... t_redirect

It's $90 today, it has a 4.1 amp motor, which at 110V means definitely north of 1/2 horsepower (assuming we're using the 746W electric motor equals 1 horsepower definition), it's got a laser which will help because I'm a newb, and because of the sale I'll be able to sell it for what I paid to buy it if I need to upgrade.

It's the same price this model is selling for used in my area anyways.

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Post by tasteless »

Good Find !
That looks sort of like mine ( Well - nicer , actually ! ).
Power shouldn't cause too much concern unless You're planning on drilling steel ( or iron , or stone....etc ).
Cast stompboxes ( inc. Crybabys ) are pretty soft really.
It does'nt take long to learn when You've got it set to the wrong speed for any given task , And it's surprising how much 'feel' You get from a tool thats doing all the work.

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Post by Duckman »

fuzzfiend wrote:Also, I use a stepped drill bit (Unibit) for all my boxes. Best invention EVER!
+1! Get one of those and have an easier life!

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Post by astrobass »

Definitely picking up a stepped bit on my lunch break today.

How fast should I have this thing set for drill enclosures? It's on medium speed right now, I think that's about 1600 rpm. Top speed is 3100 or so. The speed adjustment is full manual, I have to open the top and move a drive belt, so if 1600 is way low of way high, let's save me a bit of work and let me know so I can just change that ahead of time.

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Post by tasteless »

That's a good question - And , If I could read the smudgy texta marks that I put on the side of My machine , I could tell You.
Seriously though ,1600 sounds about right , I'm running mine at either 1200 or 1750 ( Oh , and it is just a 1/3 hp ) , Seem to have misplaced the manual aswell. :oops:

I have'nt tried the unibit ( yet ! ) But , All the folk that have them , Sure speak highly of them.

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Post by bugg »

Duckman wrote:
fuzzfiend wrote:Also, I use a stepped drill bit (Unibit) for all my boxes. Best invention EVER!
+1! Get one of those and have an easier life!
+2! I bought a cheap set from Harbor Freight for around 9 bucks, I've drilled several enclosures AND installed a doorknob and they're
still going strong. :D

I generally use a hand drill with the unibits but I drill pilot holes with the drill press (for accuracy).

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Post by gjcamann »

Have you checked Harbor Freight? Their cheep, but usually get the job done. If you can't get one with a tilting table, it probably isn't too hard to make a jig out of wood to give you the angle you need.

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