I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder, and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

Hole saw?

"toller" wrote in message
...
Hole saw?

And drill 1/2 way through one side, then drill the rest of the way from the
opposite.

--

SVL

Orange T,

It is very difficult to achieve penetration at perfect right angle, but with
much practice it can happen with great satisfaction ;-)

I would buy or rent a hole saw for your melamine.

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I
need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic
cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand
drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't
keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder, and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the
other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 00:21:13 -0400, "orangetrader"
wrote:

I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder, and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.


Start by drilling a pilot hole just slightly smaller than the bit in
the center of your hole saw. Now drill from each side using it as a
guide. If you want the best results, find a friend with a drill
press.

Thanks Joe. Is there any contraption such as a "drill" stabilizer that can
help do the job?

O

"Joe Fabeitz" wrote in message
...
Orange T,

It is very difficult to achieve penetration at perfect right angle, but
with
much practice it can happen with great satisfaction ;-)

I would buy or rent a hole saw for your melamine.

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I
need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic
cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand
drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I
am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't
keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder,
and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the
other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

"orangetrader" wrote in message

Thanks Joe. Is there any contraption such as a "drill" stabilizer that
can
help do the job?


Yes, a stick. Honest. Take a 1 x 2 and cut a piece of it off and screw or
nail it to be 90 Degrees to the longer size. Use it like a square. Put the
drill against it as a guide to keep you straight.

Do you know anyone with a drill press? That is the best method. Ask the
guys at work or ask in the maintenance shop. You may be able to get it done
for the cost of a cup of coffee. If you live near me, I'd do it for you.
I'm in CT.

By the way, at 2.5" thick that shelf is probably hollow or filled with a
honeycomb paper material and not solid. If it were solid it would be
extremely heavy.

Take care drilling, do each side separately.

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I
need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic
cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand
drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't
keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder, and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the
other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

you can put one of these at each end it will cover up any chipping that may
occur tape both sides

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...fferings_id=51

Wayne

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
Thanks Joe. Is there any contraption such as a "drill" stabilizer that
can
help do the job?

O

"Joe Fabeitz" wrote in message
...
Orange T,

It is very difficult to achieve penetration at perfect right angle, but
with
much practice it can happen with great satisfaction ;-)

I would buy or rent a hole saw for your melamine.

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I
need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic
cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand
drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I
am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't
keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also
I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder,
and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the
other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

It is solid but not solid wood. It is particle board. Very very heavy. I
will drill from both sides. I hope they meet in the middle.

Thanks,

O

"Eric Tonks" etonks@sunstormADD-DOT-COM wrote in message
. ..
By the way, at 2.5" thick that shelf is probably hollow or filled with a
honeycomb paper material and not solid. If it were solid it would be
extremely heavy.

Take care drilling, do each side separately.

"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I
need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic
cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand
drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I
am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't
keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder,
and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the
other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O

They WILL meet in the middle..as long as you drill a small hole first right
through and then use that as a pilot hole to center the holes when you drill
from each side. I still would suggest getting someone with a drill press to
do this hole though if possible, it's MUCH easier to get a good job that
way.

--

Mikey S.
http://www.mike721.com


"orangetrader" wrote in message
...
It is solid but not solid wood. It is particle board. Very very heavy.
I
will drill from both sides. I hope they meet in the middle.

orangetrader wrote:

I have a piece of melamine board which is part of a shelving system. I need
to drill a hole 2" diameter through it so that I can pass electronic cables
from one side of the shelf to the other.

The problem is this board is about 2.5" thick and I only have a hand drill.
I practice drilling a hole this big on solid wood and each time when I am
done the hole is not straight, it is skewed or slanted because I can't keep
my hand steady and my penetration is not at perfect right angle. Also I
worry about when drilling through particle board will be even harder, and
when it is almost all the way through the drill will "rip" through the other
side and the laminate surface will be messed up.

Any suggestions?

O


The only thing the others never mentioned is to use
a good quality, sharp hole saw.