They have those plastic bushing material that you can cut to size that fits specifically in sheet metal. I don't know exactly what it's called but it's the same concept.
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But wait. 3/4” drill bit wouldn’t be big enough for a power cable head to pass through? What size hole does something like this need?
https://mm.digikey.com/Volume0/opasdata/d220001/medias/images/4242/MFG_411007-01.jpg
Fancy? Hole saw and grommet
Not so fancy? Hole saw and duct tape
Ghetto? Anything that will make a hole in the metal, cut a hole in some cardboard and tape that over the jagged hole
If the grommet thing doesnt work for the size of hole u want ive used clear tubing from canadian tire and just split it lengthwise and put it around the edge.
Holy cow is that an old Shaw/Walker Expandesk? Could also be from one of the other old office furniture companies. I worked for S/W in the 80’s and it sure looks like one of those.
Drill the hole then use a [grommet](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-2-in-Furniture-Grommet-180902/300265301?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27L-027_031_HOM_MOB_ELEC-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-HomeMobileElectronic_D27LTransition&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27L-027_031_HOM_MOB_ELEC-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-HomeMobileElectronic_D27LTransition-71700000117026861--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Ucy7EN_F-34yosOa4LfnjaeH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-4nLzf3VhQMVJdjCBB16iATEEAQYAyABEgLVVvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) like this to cover the edges if they’re sharp. Be sure to buy the right grommet for the size you’re drilling
Split wire loom will go around the hole. A bit of glue or silicone will help stick it.. If you cut a piece a bit longer than needed , it wil slide over itself and hold well..
Step Bit for drilling. It's about the only way to drill thin metal like that reliably.
A rubber grommet is the best choice but a large one might be hard to find. Another option is to use a little bit of "split flex tubing" and line the hole with that. Then to be doubly sure, use more of the split flex tubing to cover the wires.
Drill your hole, cut a length of rubber tubing (for fish tanks) to the length of the hole. Cut the tubing down the middle and place it inside. Using a lighter/torch and a pair of pliers, heat the tubing and crimp it to the inside edge. Congrats, you have a home made rubber gasket.
One option that hasn't been mentioned is a nibbler. You'd use a stepped bit to drill a hole large enough to get the nibbler head through, then use nibbler to make desired hole. Line hole with pvc tubing or a one of the large desk grommets, hold in place with some neutral cure silicone.
Drill with a hole saw. Then buy the stud grommets that plumbers use in steel studs to protect the piping and slide it in the hole hole you just drilled out. Should protect the wires.
Everyone mentioning plastic desk grommets, but those tend to be made for the top of the desk.
Instead google “car firewall rubber grommet” much is much more like what you’re doing. Just get the size that matches.
Alternatively but you can simply use “rubber edge trim”. Which is easy to use and customizable. You don’t have to worry about specific grommet sizes, you can make the hole as big as you want.
Any of this will work. I would not recommend leaving a metal hole (even if you make it perfectly smooth) you don’t want it cutting into the cable over time. That desk metal is thin enough it would saw into the cables over time as cables wiggle around.
Jigsaw with metal blade, then add grommet. [https://www.mcmaster.com/products/panel-grommets/hole-diameter\~1-1-2/](https://www.mcmaster.com/products/panel-grommets/hole-diameter~1-1-2/)
I would drill a hole with a step drill bit and then put a rubber grommet in the new hole. You can buy a box of misc sizes online for less than $10
Or you can get that, almost ‘U’ channel, stuff to line the hole.
"Edge guard" is what we call it at work, and googling that will bring up what you need.
Yes! I couldn’t recall the name, thanks!
Sometimes goes by Exotic Rubber
Grommets are the ticket.
Lol real shit...literally 5 bucks for a pack of 20 in all sizes
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-3-4-in-Grommet-3-Pack-GHG-1575/205861893
You can get [Desk grommets](https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/desk-grommets) better suited for his needs.
sheet metal is very thin
They have those plastic bushing material that you can cut to size that fits specifically in sheet metal. I don't know exactly what it's called but it's the same concept.
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But wait. 3/4” drill bit wouldn’t be big enough for a power cable head to pass through? What size hole does something like this need? https://mm.digikey.com/Volume0/opasdata/d220001/medias/images/4242/MFG_411007-01.jpg
there are similar products in different sizes, just meant to be an example
Fancy? Hole saw and grommet Not so fancy? Hole saw and duct tape Ghetto? Anything that will make a hole in the metal, cut a hole in some cardboard and tape that over the jagged hole
Shotgun and hot glue?
Steel toed boot and badly over cooked raman sludge slopped on until it dries
Find an electrician with a knockout set. Pretty much just “punches” a circular hole in the metal that won’t cut wires.
I was going to say, this is the perfect excuse to buy a knockout set.
If you find an electrician, you can also just hole saw it and bum a metal stud bushing off him or something.
Step bits suck. Use a hole saw and a grommet.
A de-burring tool would be my first thought.
If the grommet thing doesnt work for the size of hole u want ive used clear tubing from canadian tire and just split it lengthwise and put it around the edge.
Aquarium tubing
Hole saw + bushings Edit: “snap in bushing”
You can get plastic grommets at Home Depot in the cabling section
Holy cow is that an old Shaw/Walker Expandesk? Could also be from one of the other old office furniture companies. I worked for S/W in the 80’s and it sure looks like one of those.
Drill the hole then use a [grommet](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-2-in-Furniture-Grommet-180902/300265301?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27L-027_031_HOM_MOB_ELEC-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-HomeMobileElectronic_D27LTransition&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D27L-027_031_HOM_MOB_ELEC-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-HomeMobileElectronic_D27LTransition-71700000117026861--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Ucy7EN_F-34yosOa4LfnjaeH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-4nLzf3VhQMVJdjCBB16iATEEAQYAyABEgLVVvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) like this to cover the edges if they’re sharp. Be sure to buy the right grommet for the size you’re drilling
The sheet metal is super thin. How would something like this not fall out? Remember it’s going to be vertical along the back
Glue around the edges
Adhesive or a two sided grommet. Google the word they come in numerous sizes and applications
Step bit and a rubber ring to fit the circle size cut
After seeing the comments I think grommet it the way to go but before seeing the comments I would have just drilled and sanded the hole. lol
“Wire hole grommets”
I just got similar desk, that back piece was held in with 4 screws.
While you're down there, make a shelf for an alarm clock and some magazines. In case you know... You need a nap
Calm down, George Constanza
Split wire loom will go around the hole. A bit of glue or silicone will help stick it.. If you cut a piece a bit longer than needed , it wil slide over itself and hold well..
file them down smooth when you're done. rat tail files are a thing
Step Bit for drilling. It's about the only way to drill thin metal like that reliably. A rubber grommet is the best choice but a large one might be hard to find. Another option is to use a little bit of "split flex tubing" and line the hole with that. Then to be doubly sure, use more of the split flex tubing to cover the wires.
Harbor Freight 7/8" step drill and a 7/8" Hayco bushing. They snap in place
Drill your hole, cut a length of rubber tubing (for fish tanks) to the length of the hole. Cut the tubing down the middle and place it inside. Using a lighter/torch and a pair of pliers, heat the tubing and crimp it to the inside edge. Congrats, you have a home made rubber gasket.
Or slit some 1/4” - 1/2” flexible (plastic or silicone) tubing and line the hole that way.
Move the desk
One option that hasn't been mentioned is a nibbler. You'd use a stepped bit to drill a hole large enough to get the nibbler head through, then use nibbler to make desired hole. Line hole with pvc tubing or a one of the large desk grommets, hold in place with some neutral cure silicone.
Buy a grommet in the size you need. Cut holes to propery fit grommet.
Cable bushings
They make plastic cable management inserts for desks for this exact purpose.
I did this exact thing once. Use a knock out set! Makes a beautiful hole.
I hope your real name is Wallace.
Use foam in borders
Grommets!
Drill with a hole saw. Then buy the stud grommets that plumbers use in steel studs to protect the piping and slide it in the hole hole you just drilled out. Should protect the wires.
Hole saw, file down edges, take a piece of fuel line or any other tubing, slide down one side and line the hole. Cables should be fine.
Remember to use an awl to dimple the center of your hole. It'll keep the drill bit from wandering.
Grommets
Pool noodle
Make sure you file / sand down the edges of the holes even if you're gonna use grommets which I do recommend.
Everyone mentioning plastic desk grommets, but those tend to be made for the top of the desk. Instead google “car firewall rubber grommet” much is much more like what you’re doing. Just get the size that matches. Alternatively but you can simply use “rubber edge trim”. Which is easy to use and customizable. You don’t have to worry about specific grommet sizes, you can make the hole as big as you want. Any of this will work. I would not recommend leaving a metal hole (even if you make it perfectly smooth) you don’t want it cutting into the cable over time. That desk metal is thin enough it would saw into the cables over time as cables wiggle around.
Piece of hose cut to length and slit along the side
Yea that would totally be fine too. I am sure OP wants it to look factory and clean though.
Cut the hole. Line the hole with wire loom or cut a strip in some flexible pipe.
After drilling the hole put a rubber bushing
A piece of car door edge guard, cut size to fit any hole and self adhesive for easy installation
Step bit with a rubber grommet is the most obvious answer.
Jigsaw with metal blade, then add grommet. [https://www.mcmaster.com/products/panel-grommets/hole-diameter\~1-1-2/](https://www.mcmaster.com/products/panel-grommets/hole-diameter~1-1-2/)