I was able to drill deck protector using step bit without cracking it. I taped the deck protector to the deck and left the stock buttons on to keep the deck protector from moving. I drilled through the protector and deck. The new buttons will have to sit on top of deck protector.
I’m no wood worker and have little experience, but I found this mod fairly easy. I did put masking tape before drilling as I’ve seen suggested. I also had to stop drilling about 2 times per hole because the acrylic would wrap around the drill bit like a string. Stopping/starting drilling didnt result in any cracks.
I would recommend this drill bit for anyone drilling a few extra holes spaced apart. I think it would be difficult to not crack deck protector using this bit to do a SFII-type layout where you’re drilling holes really close to each other.
Neiko 10189A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High Speed Steel | 7/16" to 1-1/8" | Total 12 Step Sizes. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RP82F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_E6831D8MV9J217P2ZVTT?psc=1
I did a single room install a few weeks ago that required me to punch a hole up into my attic. I ended up using a box attachment for my oscillating tool: https://www.harborfreight.com/electrical-box-cutout-saw-for-oscillating-multi-tools-56666.html. Makes patching the hole super easy since you can use the punched out drywall as the perfectly sized plug.
You can then use a flexible drill bit to punch into the attic from the hole: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005M29JN0.
My first thought is to give a fish bit like this a try.
I picked up the $15 set of titanium hex drivers off amazon and a precision tool set for like $10. And I picked up a 5.5mm pack of combination wrenches for my kaiju as using the precision driver was tough in a certain spot.
The hex drivers and precision set would have honestly been enough.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PB4RPV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UKD-FbXHA6D6Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP2GGBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_knIPmLPgtIk63
These were what I got.
Get yourself either a drill bit adapter or a purposefully made string winder, makes it so much easier especially on pita instruments like Mandos and Banjos. And not the manual powered ones, you want something that spins them quick. If you get the drill bit one make sure to set your clutch really low and stop using it when you're getting close.
I got my pin vice on Amazon. Not sure which size I use because they aren't marked, but it's in the kit.
CML Supply Mini Micro Drill Bit Set and Pin Vise Chuck 31 pcs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RJE3X8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cBWxBb0B08864
I've used this cheap kit from amazon to put together a few PCs, do some laptop repair, and pretty much any thing else that didn't require insulated tools or a drill. The bits didn't snap the moment I misused them, so the quality is decent. The included hex/socket(?) is also great for putting in standoffs. The handle leaves a bit to be desired in ergonomics, but you could always buy a more comfortable handle - these bits are a standard size.
edit: fixed link to make automod happy
I'm a guitar player and I will say, it is hard getting musicians gifts because so much depends on their personal playing and fashion styles. Plus you don't know what they might already have.
For example, yeah getting him a notebook is thoughtful, but what if he doesn't like the way it looks? Or just isn't a notebook guy? I know I personally wouldn't ever use a notebook, and I'm way older than him.
You could get him strings but there are so many different sizes and materials that you might get him a type of string he can't use. I do think this is a great gift IF you are positive you're getting the correct type, but you'd have to ask him and spoil it being a surprise.
That said, I have gotten some music related gifts that I really appreciated. One year, I got a really nice guitar strap. Like a super heavy duty, thick, durable leather one. I love the way it looks and feels, but there's a bit of a risk that he might think it's ugly. Again, fashion as a gift is always risky. But this is a very practical gift that can make his life as a guitarist much better!
Another was a string winder bit. Basically, if you have a power drill, it's just a little chunk of metal and plastic you stick into the chuck (instead of a screwdriver bit) that can wind and unwind your strings quickly. Changing strings manually takes forever, the bit reduces it down to 2-3 minutes. But they're only like $5, and he does need to already have a power drill (another very practical gift for anyone entering adult life).
Other practical ideas are a big bag of of picks (thin or medium gauge), a stick-on pick holder, nice instrument cables (I like monster brand, 12-foot), a clip-on tuner, or a nice gig bag.
I’m not very handy either generally but I found I’m good at doing this kind of stuff! It was really easy honestly. This drill bit makes the perfect size button holes for the front of the panel. NEIKO 10189A Titanium Step Drill... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RP82F8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I wanted an extension cord inside my cabinet (the end that everything plugs into). It plugs into an external power strip.
I just drilled the hole larger. The hole that the Arcade1Up power supply cable is supposed to go through. Bought one of the cheapest hole expander drill bits I could find on amazon (some of the bits are quite expensive). This is the one I bought; looks like it's about 5 bucks more, now, than what I originally paid, though.
I'm not a fan of just ditching the panel. There are green and red LEDs on the the parts I used to mod the cabinet (encoder boards, audio amp, etc.)... without the panel, the LEDs reflects off the wall that the cabinet is up against and then there's a glow in the back of the cabinet that I don't like. I figure it keeps dust out, too.
get one of them step bits they are cheap
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Do you also use those long flex augers blind?
Get one
Just a safety note: using an actual drill, or even a dremel, on a tiny miniature that you're holding in your hand is not recommended. It's too easy for that spinning bit to slip and punch a hole in your finger.
Try a pin vise instead. It's hand operated, which affords you much finer control. The possibility of slipping still exists -- I've poked myself a couple times with mine -- but since the bit wasn't under power it didn't do much actual damage.
The bits that come with that will have no trouble at all with plastic, resin, or pewter. I did have one snap off the one time I tried to drill a pinning hole in a brass mini though. Brass is tough.
3D printed holes rarely end up round unless you specifically orient the entire part for the hole, which also tends not be the ideal orientation for the part as a whole. Drilling the holes has generally been easier and more precise, especially across the thousands of holes I've needed over the years.
As for the Drill bits, well I'm in Canada, so they obviously exist outside the US, I specifically bought a little set like this one and a simple conversion shows that 7/64" is about 2.75mm as well.
Yeah, they're semi-flexible... used for drilling holes in top and bottom plates of walls by way of an outlet or wall switch cut out.
Like one of these.
EXACTLY how I do it. I have a flexible shaft bit (4 feet long) for it, but otherwise, exactly the same.
https://www.amazon.com/MAGBIT-MAG-777-inch-Fish/dp/B005M29JN0
The drill bit I linked to has a hole for attaching a cable to and pulling back through the holes
All you need us a tapered drill bit (linked below) and then also filter stickers paper (also linked below). Its so cheap to make the lids for jars.
Neiko 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High Speed Steel | 1/4" to 1-3/8" | Total 10 Step Sizes https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000FZ2UOY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_8G0CXC4HVQWN9B3NH21H
Synthetic Filter Paper Stickers... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1T8Z78?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
All you need us a tapered drill bit (linked below) and then also filter stickers paper (also linked below). Its 10x cheaper to make them yourself.
Neiko 10194A Titanium Step Drill Bit, High Speed Steel | 1/4" to 1-3/8" | Total 10 Step Sizes https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000FZ2UOY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_8G0CXC4HVQWN9B3NH21H
Synthetic Filter Paper Stickers... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1T8Z78?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Unfortunately no access.My bracket is too small for 2 studs, so I'm hoping I can just use the middle metal stud to support the middle, then the sides with some dry wall anchors or maybe something like this . https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013YPWIWA/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0XHT6VTMBXAB1PDNXSPX
this Guitar winder drill bit is cool as hell. When you change strings, you just use an electric drill for 2-3 seconds instead of winding and unwinding for a long time
If you decide to do it yourself I would use a step drill bit of a correct size in place of the Dremel.
Something like this:
Like the others said you need to put the bolts through the side. Using a stepped drill bit for metal will eat right through that metal, makes that job a lot quicker.
Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set, High Speed Steel | 3-Piece Set | Total 28 Sizes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OEPYWK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BQM08CJWFG9YKZG474WK
This Ifixit kit is really good quality https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Mako-Driver-Kit--64-Precision-Bits/IF145-299?o=4 but any driver like this will do the job https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071PB4RPV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_B6R9N9E3D9DQTCPFZ7DC
This is the set I've had for 8 years. I mainly use it on phones and laptops though since the screws are smaller. The Phillips that is the biggest works on mb screws which is that big round one near the middle/bottom. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B071PB4RPV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_AV3D8AK1QZ1ER2J3GPAD
I would recommend just buying something like this if you don't have something similar already which you probably do. It has a #1 and #2 Phillips as you can see. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0015SBILG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_9BX1YX1RT8VDMNSNHYF2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
No no no, that one is terrible. You have to go with this one that is much more expensive but it has a little lever on the right the makes all the bits pop up at an angle. I hit that little lever and closed it about 64 times when I first got it. Amazing.
I just mark where I need them, drill a small guide whole, and then use a step up bit.
Amazon has this one.
If you have enough room, you could use a couple of rigid extensions. They are usually 16-18 inches long. More than one can be used at a time.
I would also suggest a cable fish pole. They are more rigid than a fish tape and easier to push straight down/up a wall.
Hard to tell from the photos and it will depend on how it's framed. If you're moderately handy, it shouldn't be a big problem though.
This is how it's usually gone for me in the past in my house. I'd cut a section of the drywall out between two studs maybe 18" to 24" high on each floor and then get a flexible auger bit like the one linked below to drill through the floor and celling plates.
Once you have the holes between the floors than it's just a matter of fishing the line through. I usually try to use the auger bit itself to pull the wire back through once I've drilled through the plates/floors. It can get a little tricky if it's an exterior wall with insulation or you pick a bad spot and run into obstacles in the wall.
You'll get some good experience repairing small sections of drywall which in my opinion as a homeowner is always something you want to be able to do.
I used this so you can drill a hole as big or small as needed.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10194A-Titanium-Drill-Speed/dp/B000FZ2UOY