I need to drill a glory-hole sized hole. What do I need to buy?

[Zeze]

My HDTV stand's back panel is lacking a cable routing hole. I think it's probably a 1/4" thickness of a pressed wood at best.

Do I buy one of those circular toothed drill bit?

If so...

• What is the tooth spec or whatever type I need to be mindful of at home depot? Can someone point me to the exact item at home depot please?
• Is my cordless drill strong enough for for pressed wood? It should be fine, me thinks?

 

[Lanyap]

It depends on how big your cable is.

Use fine tooth if available. If you get a course tooth go slow with the drilling so it doesn’t tear up the thin wood. If you have a Walmart or Harbor freight nearby try them first. Buying one from HD just for this project would be expensive.

A cordless drill would work just fine.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

HF has a kit of several sizes that will cost less than a single piece at HD.

If you've never used a hole saw before, they bite ... hard and will want to twist your wrist if you let them. Hold the drill firm, use both hands if possible. Also watch the angle so it cuts flush and even.

 

[Zeze]

HF has a kit of several sizes that will cost less than a single piece at HD.

If you've never used a hole saw before, they bite ... hard and will want to twist your wrist if you let them. Hold the drill firm, use both hands if possible. Also watch the angle so it cuts flush and even.

Do i spin the drill first then drill in to make the circle or start spinning from start while.making contact?

 

[Charmonium]

..never mind..

 

[RLGL]

Hole saws are used with pilot bits installed. (that is what the bits are in the picture)

 

[Paperdoc]

Depends a bit (pardon the pun!) in the hole size you need. Rather than a circular Hole Saw, you can use a Spade Bit like this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIABLO-1-1-8-in-x-6-in-SPEEDemon-Spade-Bit-DSP2140/312953359

I've found that brand does a good job. Note the threaded central tip that starts the first penetration into the wood, and the little sharp tips on the two ends of the blade. Those latter make a very clean edge as the bit drills though the wood, smoother than a hole saw can do. That one is 1-1/8" diameter, but I see you can get up to 1½" dia.I use bits like this often for modest diameter holes.

HINT with panels 1/8" thick or more. Drill from one side only part way through. Then go to the other side, place the central tip into the guide hole already made from the first side, and drill back from this second side. Your hole edges will be smother.

 

[sdifox]

It's most likely cardboard. You can try to cut it with exacto knife. Square hole is fine.

 

[highland145]

Subscribe to "This Old House" and "The yankee Workshop." Win

 

[Paratus]

Hole saws are ok

Forstner Bits are good

Dremel hole jig can work too

 

[BudAshes]

A regular 1/4 bit should be fine for someone with a cable of your gauge.

 

[highland145]

Hole saws are ok

Forstner Bits are good

Dremel hole jig can work too

Ha, that's a bit...aggressive for cardboard furniture. I could be wrong for the OP.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

All of those make a LOT more mess than a holesaw.

 

[pete6032]

Edit - misread your post. Yes, use a hole saw.

 

[BoomerD]

Depends a bit (pardon the pun!) in the hole size you need. Rather than a circular Hole Saw, you can use a Spade Bit like this

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIABLO-1-1-8-in-x-6-in-SPEEDemon-Spade-Bit-DSP2140/312953359

I've found that brand does a good job. Note the threaded central tip that starts the first penetration into the wood, and the little sharp tips on the two ends of the blade. Those latter make a very clean edge as the bit drills though the wood, smoother than a hole saw can do. That one is 1-1/8" diameter, but I see you can get up to 1½" dia.I use bits like this often for modest diameter holes.

HINT with panels 1/8" thick or more. Drill from one side only part way through. Then go to the other side, place the central tip into the guide hole already made from the first side, and drill back from this second side. Your hole edges will be smother.

Spade bits have their uses, but not generally for semi-finish work. (although that one MIGHT cut a clean enough hole) A decent hole saw would do the job. (get a fine-tooth saw, not coarse like the OP's picture...smoother cut)
Depending on the size of the hole, a forstner bit SHOULD do the job, and depending on the material...thin plywood, coated/wrapped cardboard, even a Dremel will do the job.
I prefer to use a grommet on holes like that...cleaner look, no rubbing between cables and backing material, but a piece of silicone tubing split might work as well.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

A single quarter inch hole is not going to accomplish anything. Regardless of the cable diameter, most connectors are larger. For passing cable and wires, I've found it isn't worth it to cut anything less than a one inch hole, maybe an inch and a half. I generally go for two inch or larger.

New spade/wood/paddle bits can cut a decent near finish hole if used as noted above. Start from one side until the pilot breaks though, then finish from the other side. But they make a lot of chips. An older, less sharp bit will work, but won't be as clean.

Grommets are fine/recommended for holes in metal panels, but not necessary for wood or other softer materials unless you want a more finished look.

 

[RLGL]

(although that one MIGHT cut a clean enough hole

Not in the surface the OP described. Multiple holes in a circular pattern for something in a 2" dia range will work. A Forstner bit will work. My choice for the hole would be a hole saw. Over the years I have put holes in many surfaces ranging up to 6". After that, I use a saw or cutting torch.

 

[Paratus]

Ha, that's a bit...aggressive for cardboard furniture. I could be wrong for the OP.

Oh it’s cardboard? Take a lid and cut around it with a box cutter.

 

[Paperdoc]

Lost_in_the_HTTP got that right about hole diameter. Not only do you need a hole large enough to pass a connector through. In OP's case it is LIKELY that there will be several cables coming through that one hole. So the LAST connector must pass through a hole that already is SMALLER because it is partly "clogged" with other cables. Hint: because of this, plan to pass cables through in order from from widest connector to smallest.

 

[sdifox]

A single quarter inch hole is not going to accomplish anything. Regardless of the cable diameter, most connectors are larger. For passing cable and wires, I've found it isn't worth it to cut anything less than a one inch hole, maybe an inch and a half. I generally go for two inch or larger.

New spade/wood/paddle bits can cut a decent near finish hole if used as noted above. Start from one side until the pilot breaks though, then finish from the other side. But they make a lot of chips. An older, less sharp bit will work, but won't be as clean.

Grommets are fine/recommended for holes in metal panels, but not necessary for wood or other softer materials unless you want a more finished look.

the board is 1/4" thick. I don't think anyone is saying making a 1/4" hole.

 

[Paperdoc]

sdifox, there actually were two posters above that advised to keep it simple and make only a ¼" hole.

 

[sdifox]

sdifox, there actually were two posters above that advised to keep it simple and make only a ¼" hole.

1/4" bit <> 1/4" hole. The 1/4" hex shank is fairly standard.

Also cutting a slot is probably better than a hole, you can just flex the board to put the connector through.

 

[BudAshes]

sdifox, there actually were two posters above that advised to keep it simple and make only a ¼" hole.

Sorry that was apparently too subtle of a dick joke.

 

[MrSquished]

Take a viagra, and bring yourself and your wee wee to a home depot or loews so they can figure out the exact size hole you need. Easy peasy.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I guess some people looked past the 'joke' in the thread tile and others did not.