Making holes

[timw]

I'm afraid this is rather a dull question.

I'm planning to attempt to fit a radio and speakers to my console. Never having worked with glass fibre before, are there any special tools I need such as special saws to cut one oblong hole for the radio and 2 round holes for the speakers.

Also, when drilling holes, the drill bits I have state they are either for wood or metal. Are there such things as glass fibre drill bits?

Any advice much appreciated.

[John Kennett]

This is one of RIBnet's most famous and much derided subjects!

Drilling a hole !!

John

[Rene]

Hi

An angle grinder is good for the job, just put a normal metal disk on it.

Just be carefull no to overdue it

Mark the square hole you are planning to make with a good clean marker. You need to be able to see this, even when you have dust all over the place.

When you have finished with the angel grinder, you can remove the last piece on fiberglass with a 3 mm power drill.


This will not work for the round holes


Rene



EDIT. Just edited a little misspell angel - angle damn, I guess I will start posting in Danish

[Headhunter]

I recently cut an oblong hole in my console using a normal drill bit (circa 10mm) in the corner to give a start point for the Jigsaw.
I used a special fibreglass blade in the saw (made by Piranha a Black & Decker brand Part Number X26031) and was very impressed with the result.

It cut with ease, was easy to control.
I drilled all four corners to make nice curves to suit the unit being fitted.
Also the jigsaw blade can be used a bit like a file to tidy up any uneven areas.
Good luck

John

[Mark Halliday]

Cover the area to be cut with masking tape, and mark out on that.
1 Its easier to draw on with a pencil.
2 It stops the gel coat chipping.

Go for the hole in each corner and jig saw method. A metal saw blade or fine wood blade will do a good job.

Watch out for any cables or pipes behind the cut!

[timw]

This is very good info...many thanks

Credibility points all round

[Red Fox]

Originally Posted by Rene

Hi

An angel grinder is good for the job ...


Rene

Sounds like a devil of a job to me!

[Garygee]

Hi folks

if you have one or cant get hold of on the high speed multitool(Dremel etc) with a smallish, abrasive bit, I think i use about 3mm, works a treat.

I work round the hole in several passes taking a bit more out each pass till I am through. Can take a few passes (especially with Ribcraft consoles, mine is 8-10mm think )

You finish up with a neat smooth hole with little filing to do.

Regards Gary

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Red Fox

Sounds like a devil of a job to me!

Nope. 4 holes, angle grinder, 30 seconds, no chipping, lots of dust. Easy.

[John Kennett]

But the potential to really bugger things up if you're cackhanded!

John