Has anyone drilled through melamine? How did the bit hold up?
I don't see a specific recommendation for it.
Has anyone drilled through melamine? How did the bit hold up?
I don't see a specific recommendation for it.
It’s a quality bit and will handle it. Also, replacement bits are available for a reasonable cost if you do wear it out.
Make sure to use a sacrificial backer board - the blowout on the bottom side can be severe! (I was halfway through creating my top before I figured this out! )
- After I ask a stranger if I can pet their dog and they say yes, I like to respond, "I'll keep that in mind" and walk off
- It's above my pay grade. Mongo only pawn in game of life.
MDF "shaves" nicely as the holes are bored because it's a composite that has no layers and as as result is structurally different than plywood. If you keep the tooling touched up sharp and not let it get really hot (take your time) it should bore the plywood just fine, but it will not be as "easy" as the MDF. I suspect Peter P included quality components in the kit...it's kinda his thing based on my impression of him.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Also, not sure how things will go with 2 inches. My top was 18mm bb topped with ½” MDF and the depth stop to prevent blowing through was pretty close to the end of the shaft of the bit.
The majority of the "surfaces with lots of holes" that a system like this is designed to create are only a single thickness of 3/4" or 19mm-ish sheet stock, so I don't think that extra thick was rolled into the design, for the most part. There is the option to drill the layers separately and then glue them together if necessary. One should be able to do that with very good registration if care is taken with the first few holes.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Mine is long since glued together to a 2" top. Frankly I've been a little scared of screwing it up by drilling it, but have lost the utility I need for dogs, clamps, etc... I'll get around to it at some point. I've tried the Woodpeckers system on some test pieces and it was a total non-starter, so bought the UJK Parf system.
- After I ask a stranger if I can pet their dog and they say yes, I like to respond, "I'll keep that in mind" and walk off
- It's above my pay grade. Mongo only pawn in game of life.
Keep in mind that some formats of clamps designed to be used with MFT-type surfaces are not friendly to the thicker tops. You might consider putting in some clamping slots, too, for more flexibility.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...