Drilling Eyelet board

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pompeiisneaks
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Drilling Eyelet board

Post by pompeiisneaks »

I've bought some eyelet board, and drilled it for a tweedle dee I'm working on, but i did have some bad looking drill holes that isn't a massive fail, but looks bad, The bottom side blew out on every hole. Do most people that do their own always back it with some kind of wood etc, so they don't get that blow out? Just want some people's feedback on that.

~Phil
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M Fowler
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by M Fowler »

What type of board material, garolite or Fender black paper type Tweed era.

Yes I use a backer board. The brown color boards all blow out no mater what terrible stuff. The natural and blue work very well.

The type of drill bit makes a difference. I haven't experimented all all types yet.

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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by DenDanger »

Most definitely back it up. I've used scrap plywood or pine.
I've done numerous boards and it works.

Good luck,
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by sonicmojo »

A drill press is really a must for clean holes too. Very light pressure when getting to the other side of the board helps. I have that red fiber board from Watts and still can't get away without some stranding but a little post drill sanding cleans it up.
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pompeiisneaks
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by pompeiisneaks »

Cool thanks all, I'm using garolite stuff I got from McMaster Carr due to a recommendation. it's the black stuff. I got the eyelets from mouser and I've got a drill press, I just need to keep the blowout to a minimum :)

~Phil
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gktamps
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by gktamps »

I use the same board material you are using, and have no problems using a drill press and sharp, cobalt drills, with plywood backing piece, and slowish feed. When I get impatient and go too fast, or the drill gets dull, the results suffer.
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by telentubes »

Garolite eats drill bits for breakfast. Your 1/8 " bit won't stay sharp for long in the stuff and you need a sharp bit. You can try a fairly high speed on the drill press, and yes to a backing board as others have mentioned. Not forcing the cut will keep the bit sharper longer. Go slower than you would drilling through wood. I'm basically fully supporting the last post.
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67plexi
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by 67plexi »

I only use carbide drill bits. Never had a blow out ever. :idea:
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by pompeiisneaks »

Greg,

thanks! I've got pretty new bits, but it may be better if I buy one or several just for this job. I'll use backer too from now on.

~Phil
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by norburybrook »

I use garolyte board and I've used the same drill bit now for 3 sets of ODS boards . I use a regular cordless hand drill and put the eyelets in with a hammer and a little staking tool, works perfectly, not had any issues with blow out. I drill on to a piece of scrap wood, I don't see that a drill press is needed, it would be nice but not necessary IMHO.

I even make relay boards with 1/16 eyelets by hand :D

I use the yellow Garolyte G10.


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pompeiisneaks
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by pompeiisneaks »

Cool, sounds like backer is the ticket

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M Fowler
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by M Fowler »

I have never used a drill press just a powerful electric hand held drill with same old drill bits since 2007 and I have built over 120 amps so far.

One drill press for eyelets and the other drill press for staking turrets. One drill press was a low sale price due to it's motor being bad, I don't use the motors.
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xtian
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by xtian »

Is it a materials issue, Phil? I use G10/FR4 from McMaster (black!):

https://www.mcmaster.com/#grade-g-10-garolite/=18yai31

This stuff does not chip, flake, tear out or blow out. Absolutely no need to drill with a backing surface. Clean holes every time, regardless of the condition of drill bit. I've also used forstner bits to carve away some area around the holes so I could use 2mm eyelets in the 3mm G10/FR4 board.
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by johnnyreece »

Yeah, I've used the G-10 with no issue. Great stuff! Makes me look like Dr. Z (well, if everything else in the amp looked as nice it would... :oops: ).
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Re: Drilling Eyelet board

Post by pompeiisneaks »

This is the exact item I bought:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#85315k201/=18yb8ii

Garolite XX paper fabric phenolic resin


~Phil
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