AirSpeed VW Community Forums

General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: owdlvr on February 07, 2011, 08:41:06 PM

Title: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: owdlvr on February 07, 2011, 08:41:06 PM

Next step in my Heater install is drilling out the dash, which requires putting a 1" hole in the padding portion of the dash. Since I've got one shot to this, I figured I'd ask here if anyone has done this cleanly before? I'm thinking 1" tube sharpened (similar to a leather punch) might be my best bet?

-Dave

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: Trevor P on February 07, 2011, 08:46:15 PM

I made a tool to do this once. It was a piece of conduit that I sharpened to work like a leather punch just like you mentioned. I made an inside sleeve and a centre for it. I just twisted it into the pad and it made a pefect hole.

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: BUSDADDY on February 07, 2011, 08:52:22 PM

This works every time: http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/power-tools/power-tool-accessories/drill-accessories/8256471-12-step-titanium-coated-drill-bit
(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.princessauto.com%2Fworkshop%2Fpower-tools%2Fpower-tool-accessories%2Fdrill-accessories%2F8256471-12-step-titanium-coated-drill-bit&hash=a3a2cb4cc5ad55a35116e557e0e9136a1fb82059)

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: Bruce on February 07, 2011, 10:46:50 PM

Here's how my sharpened tube did the job:
I may still have the tube.

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: Alisdair on February 08, 2011, 06:27:49 AM

just a thought , you may have the perfect tool for the job and didnt know it dave , 1'' wood auger drill bit.
 one of those old tricks i learned from my grandad  was to use a wood auger drill bit turned  by hand.

(https://airspeedparts.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi944.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fad286%2Fvwveewiz%2F0000-art-wood-tips-2003-04.jpg&hash=413c20ac74815171b1317d0b9fbfb76d4d0be87d)

they have a sharp pointed blade edge  that cuts burr free .
drill small pilot hole , insert drill bit tip and turn it in reverse direction by hand . it will cut a perfect hole .
did i mention do it by hand . dont use a drill .

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: 70's Looker on February 08, 2011, 12:27:54 PM

one of those air chisels and lots of beer SHOULD do the trick nice and clean like but if your not comfy with that methos use some tourches but make sure you put alot of padding behind it so nothing hot falls on the carpets try using blankets or foam something not flamable....

Title: Re: Best Method for Drilling Dash?
Post by: owdlvr on February 08, 2011, 02:37:07 PM

Thanks Kev.

A sharpened tube worked just find, but maybe next time I'll try the torch method.

-Dave