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what's the best/most convenient way to drill holes into an enclosure without a drill press?

how do you know what size to drill holes for pots/switches/leds?

I use a drill &/or a dremel. Measure out & mark your holes. Putting masking/painters tape over the enclosure may help keep the bit from bouncing around, as well as keeping the enclosure from getting scratched. I never bother myself as I wait to paint until drilling has been finished.

Here are the bit sizes I use, with what part next to them. This is where a step bit would come in handy, as you don't have to swap out for each component.
Pots: 1/4-5/16"
In/out jacks: 3/8"
3pdt: 1/2"
9v: 1/2"
3-5mm Leds: 1/8-11/64" (if not using bezels)

If you're not using a press, I recommend starting off with a center punch. Punch where you want the hole, then drill a small pilot hole (1/8" is fine), and then drill the full size hole. This really helps keep the holes smooth and makes it much easier to do without a proper press setup.

culturejam wrote:drill a small pilot hole (1/8" is fine), and then drill the full size hole. This really helps keep the holes smooth and makes it much easier to do without a proper press setup.

I knew I forgot to mention something! Drill pilot holes for sure! It helps a lot, especially with those bigger bits.

I have a nice press, but I still center punch and drill pilot holes for every hole. It only takes an extra couple minutes to set up, and the results are much better than what I was getting with just marking the hole and drilling with the full-size bit.

A spring-action center punch is only about $5 at Home Deep-Owe.

Step bits are great. Irwin makes one that does all the main sizes for pedals (1/8 - 1/2), and Harbor Freight makes a cheaper clone (which I actually like better-- it's shorter and works better with small drill presses). You can get both at Smallbear, and the Irwin at Lowes or Home Depot. Harbor Freight also has one that's, like, 1/4-1/2 in larger steps. If you're doing a lot, they sell two packs with a larger step bit that's great for doing the jacks-- fewer steps. Also good for footswitches.

If you don't have one of those, step up in size. Don't go right from a pilot hole to 1/2". At least drill it 3/8" first.

I use a center punch that's spring loaded. I like it better than having to use a hammer, but sometimes it takes a few times to get a hole deep enough for the bit to catch. Masking tape works really well too.

And, yeah, even WITH a press, you want to center punch if you're drilling on a hard surface.

Holes sizes:

Pots*: 9/32-- 5/16 also works, but there will be a bit of play.
Toggle Switches: 1/4"
Footswitches: 1/2"-- I've found 15/32 actually works. At 1/2" there's always a bit of extra room.
In/out jacks: 3/8"
Power Jacks: 1/2"

deadbeatriot wrote:how do i drill hole?

Sorry, just had to

Dammit.

I used a hand-drill for all my projects (up until this monstrosity). I hammered/nailed a small guiding dent where I wanted the hole to be so that the hand drill wouldn't skid off in some direction.

cloudscapes wrote:I used a hand-drill for all my projects (up until this monstrosity).

You sir, are a man. There's no way I would have done that enclosure by hand.

Jero wrote:

cloudscapes wrote:I used a hand-drill for all my projects (up until this monstrosity).

You sir, are a man. There's no way I would have done that enclosure by hand.

can i have one?

please?







PLEEEEEZZZZZZZZZ

Jero wrote:

cloudscapes wrote:I used a hand-drill for all my projects (up until this monstrosity).

You sir, are a man. There's no way I would have done that enclosure by hand.

actually, the day I set out to drill it was the day I said "fuck it" and bought a $50 drill press

cloudscapes wrote:this monstrosity

What on earth could all of those knobs possibly do? God damn...












it for sale?

Trifarce wrote:

cloudscapes wrote:this monstrosity

What on earth could all of those knobs possibly do? God damn...












it for sale?

NO HE IS GIVING IT TO ME

Wow,...search functions really do work.

Thanks ILF.