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David Walters (aka dwalters) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ] Shell Knob, Missouri

Lakester project is coming along nicely. I need some advice as to the best (most accurate) way to drill out a fiberglass dash panel for 2 Classic gauges. I don't feel comfortable doing it myself with a hole saw. Your help, as always, is much appreciated. Dave

Comments

Posted by 35window  -  02/27/2008 11:36 AM While this isn't the cheapest alternative, it will give you a perfect hole-look under "more stuff" http://www.mittlerbros.com/Punches.htm Another option could be to drill the pilot hole for the Hole SAw, then put a Dowel where the Drill Bit goes (ehtn the Saw won't "wander" as much, and drill the Hole-not as good as a knockout punch, but close- 35window [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] springville, Utah   Posted by scooting  -  02/27/2008 08:33 PM While I have used punches to put beautiful holes in sheet metal, I have never tried a hole in Fiberglass, I would think it would tear or crack. Does it really work that well? scooting [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Elkridge, Maryland   Posted by bigdude  -  02/27/2008 08:57 PM Make the hole smaller and then grind it out to the right size. Creep up on it that way. resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004   Posted by harpo1313  -  02/27/2008 09:16 PM a good hole saw with light pressure and a steady hand would be the best, get one with alot of teeth harpo1313 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] wareham, Massachusetts   Posted by CK  -  02/27/2008 10:06 PM I would tape up area with masking tape, mark all your centers. Use good sharp hole saws. Carbide ones work the best, the ones with particles on the edge and no teeth, even when you cut fiberglass pannels use carbide blades. Ones with teeth will dull quickly. After you cut partially though the front, cut from opposite side to score the glass, then resume cut all the way though from the front. Keeps backside from splintering. CK CK [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] mililani, Hawaii   Posted by buzz4041  -  02/27/2008 10:42 PM A good knockout punch will not crack or tear the fiberglass. I use this practice all the time as an electrical contractor in fiberglass junction boxes. Much cleaner and accurate than a hole saw. Good luck buzz4041 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Corpus Christi, Texas   Posted by dwalters  -  02/28/2008 09:33 AM Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Dave dwalters [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Shell Knob, Missouri   Posted by aosborn  -  04/14/2008 08:53 AM A trick I use to cut a hole accurately and cleanly is to take the holesaw you want to use in the part and cut a hole through a 1/2" or so scrap piece of plywood, 7 ply or high density hardwood works well. Then line up the hole in the wood exactly where you want the hole in the part and clamp it on. You can then remove the pilot drill and cut the hole using the plywood as a guide. It is real clean and no risk of the saw drifiting off. What is nice about this trick is that you can cut a hole off of the edge of a part (a "C" notch" for example) with no problems. aosborn [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Olympia, Washington   Posted by 37tin  -  03/19/2008 01:50 AM Perfect timing Mr Osborn,,,I'm creating a complex air cleaner ( this cleaner will be a statement I think) I want to do 4 holes small side of ctr. and 4 on the big side of ctr. for top and bottom platform before welding it. because of the vortex design I came up with, the weld will be covered by a double curved stainless strip I gave much time and love to, thanks to your advice it mite not be destructive testing tomorrow, I whizzed a 3 and a1|2 " hole ina piece of teak, let's see what happens!!! 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by 37tin  -  03/19/2008 02:50 AM OK,,,had to do something, couldn't wait till to tm'r, did one hole small side of center ,it works!!! I was gonna attack it with a zip cut and die grinder ..I don't have to now thats cool,,,,,,thanks man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada   Posted by jimmothershead  -  03/19/2008 10:36 AM Back in the day.....1950s.....to cut a hole for a floor shift or SW gauge, I scribed the hole then made a continuous line of 1/16" drill holes inside the line. Remove center then clean with my flat and radiused files. Labor intensive but cheap. For the past 40 years I have used hole saws or knock out cutters. They still need some enlarging. Wise choice on those Classic gauges. No problems, no fun with rods. Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland   Posted by REBORN55  -  03/19/2008 10:51 AM I used the Greenlee punch set on my dash to install A/C vents and holes in the firewall for the hoses. Nice clean holes and then used a file pushing in all the time(so as not to chip the paint) for final fit and worked real well. Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois   Posted by hotrodgene  -  03/19/2008 06:12 PM I have drilled holes in fiberglass with no problems.Just be sure to use a good sharp hole saw(new).I always find the center for pilot holeand drill a 1/8 hole since a punch does not do well.Be sure saw is sharp to prevent overheating and burning the paint light pressure is all that is needed.I have found it easier and faster than doing metal.Most gauges come with template. Thanks,Gene [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Saint Petersburg, Florida   Posted by dwalters  -  04/15/2008 09:53 AM Turned out nice! I laied out patterns on paper after taking measurements on the the instrument panel. I then attached the layout to the dash with painters masking tape. Next, I used a new hole saw slightly smaller than the final size, and finishe with a drum sanding disc attached to my Dremmel tool. Very happy with the results. Dave dwalters [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Shell Knob, Missouri   Posted by ol bear  -  04/15/2008 04:32 PM DONT LET THE WIFE SEE THAT GOOD BEACH TOWEL !!!!!!!! OL BEAR ,,,,,,NICE JOB OL BEAR [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] crown point, Indiana   Posted by dwalters  -  04/15/2008 08:09 PM Ol Bear, I am very fortunate to have a wife who is VERY SUPPORTIVE of the roadster project. I will put "it" back in the boat. Take care, Dave dwalters [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Shell Knob, Missouri

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