Drilling 19mm hole through laminate

I would like to drill 4 holes through a laminex type laminate, but not sure what bit to use.

Any help/suggestions would be great, thanks.

what diameter hole?
presume the laminate is glued to a base, if so what thickness is base?

Sorry, obvious questions; but I find I get distracted easy since my wife died; my apologies.

19mm diameter hole, 30mm base.

Sutton Tools 19mm White Cobalt Bi-Metal Holesaw - Bunnings Australia

I have around 8 different sizes, but white and yellow blades dont buy the cheap chinese they arent worth anything.

drill a pilot hole using a very small bit, like 2mm
use what ever hole saw, spade bit etc you like
drill about half way through the material
flip the material over and start drilling from the underside using your pilot hole as a guide
this will stop tear out.

If planning ahead allows, I would drill an accurately sized and positioned hole in the substrate prior to gluing down the laminate. You should then be able to drill a pilot hole through the laminate once fastened to the substrate, and then enlarge with a laminate trimmer bit using the substrate hole as a guide, much the same as you would trim an edge.

A spade bit with the little scribe tips will give you a clean cut but will dull the bit somewhat. Another option is drill a 19mm hole in a scrap of ply etc and use as a template for your router with a bearing cutter bit

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Originally Posted by verawood

I would like to drill 4 holes through a laminex type laminate, but not sure what bit to use ...

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I have never been able to drill a smooth hole in Formica - always get chipping - but have an acceptable solution:

• Lay out the position of the hole,
• Drill an 8 mm hole in the centre of the circle,
• Make a 19 mm jig and position over hole site,
• With straight cutter and bearing route to the hole scribe lines.

But a plumber mate says "Don't worry - the flange on plumbing fittings hides all sins."

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Originally Posted by GraemeCook

But a plumber mate says "Don't worry - the flange on plumbing fittings hides all sins."

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And they bury all their mistakes :D

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Originally Posted by Beardy

A spade bit with the little scribe tips will give you a clean cut but will dull the bit somewhat.

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This is it. Drilled hundreds of holes in laminate over the years and a sharp spade bit is all you need. Buy a new 19mm spade bit with spurs so you know it's sharp. Don't drill a pilot hole. first: you don't need one and the spade bit probably won't follow it anyways. Second: the pilot hole may allow you to push the spade bit into the laminate too quickly and chip it. Go slow, don't rock back n forth, let the spurs score the laminate nice n deep. Once you cut through the colour layer, you'll see it turn dark brown or black, you're good to increase pressure and punch through the laminate and sub straight. Again, don't rock the bit back n forth or you could chip the edge. I'm assuming it's partible board so the bit will blow through that easily.

If this is a hole you don't plan to put some hardware through and is locked down you'll need to give the edge it a light sand as it will be razor sharp.

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Originally Posted by The Spin Doctor

... Go slow, don't rock back n forth ...
Again, don't rock the bit back n forth or you could chip the edge....

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The Spin Doctor obviously has much steadier hands than me.

I tried to be steady, but always chipped the perimeter - works for him but not for me.


PS: I am envious!