**Cutting a Hole in a Desk, Follow-Up Question

[highbury]

Not only do I know little about computers, I also know little about home improvement, etc.

We just moved into a house with a built-in desk, but the guy who built the house didn't put a hole in the desk for wires to be run through. What does one use to cut a hole in the wood so that it's not an eyesore and keeps everything good?

edit: new question on bottom

 

[PhoneSexHorn]

Go to Home Depot or Lowes, and get what's called a Hole Saw. Works off a standard drill - a 2" size should be fine for routing cables through a shelf or desktop.

A tip: A hole saw will include a 1/4" or so bit that extends beyond the 2" saw to act as a guide. Don't drill all the way through from one side. Once the 1/4" bit reaches the other side of the panel (shelf/desktop) you're drilling, remove the hole saw and complete the drilling from the other side of the panel. This way, you won't damage any veneer or other laminate-type surface on either side.

 

[minivette_horn]

hole saw at Lowes

 

[highbury]

Thanks for the help.

 

[idigTexas]

You may also want to drill a specific size so you can install a grommet (the plastic insert that makes the hole look nice and neat). Lowe's and HD both have these. Buy the grommet first so you know exactly what size hole saw you need.

 

[KingKoopa]

i'm curious... why wouldn't a spade bit work? seems like my father used one to put a hole in a desk for a similar situation. is it just not as clean of a cut as it would be with a hole saw?

 

[digitalhorn]

KingKoopa,

A spade bit or a Forstner bit (probably too pricey) should work...I've used them often to make a nice clean hole...

 

[BigWill]

put down duct tape before, and drill through it. Result is a cleaner cut hole.

 

[MilkmanDan]

In reply to:

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[horn4life]

Actually you can use good old regular masking tape as well. The tape just gives you a better chance at holding a clean edge without the laminate cracking. But the plastic hold finish material first and then the rough edge will be covered anyhow.

 

[KingKoopa]

In reply to:

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[highbury]

OK, so what is the likelihood of a screw-up while using the hole saw? Is it a pretty exact tool with the guide and all?

My mother wants reassurance and my father isn't here to provide the manly "I don't give a ****" approval for such a project.

 

[MilkmanDan]

If you can see the other side of it and know there's nothing behind it, it's going to be really hard to screw up.

Make sure the depth of your hole saw is greater than the thickness of the wood, when I worked on our china cabinet it was close to binding up before going all the way through.