Fishnut
Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 509
- Boat Info
- 2006 240 Sundancer
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo III Drive
I am adding a flush mount gps to my boat. What is the best way to cut the openings?
Electronic Installations
- Thread starter Fishnut
- Start date
- Mar 10, 2004
- 5,113
Jigsaw if you have the space.
Fishnut
Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 509
- Boat Info
- 2006 240 Sundancer
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo III Drive
That was my question, as to the jigsaw. I have to believe that you get some chipping. If you use a template I guess you tape under the template and then cut away.
Fishnut
Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 509
- Boat Info
- 2006 240 Sundancer
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo III Drive
:thumbsup:
douglee25
Well-Known Member
The dremel tool in combination with their drywall bit works great on fiberglass. As mentioned before, use tape and go slow.
Doug
Doug
Morpheus
New Member
- May 7, 2007
- 2,450
- Boat Info
- 2006 SeaRay Sundeck 240
- Engines
- 5.0MPI Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
SHOP VAC SHOP VAC SHOP VAC
Have someone holding it when your cutting or you will have fiberglass everywhere
Have someone holding it when your cutting or you will have fiberglass everywhere
- Mar 10, 2004
- 5,113
We use a rotozip when access doesn't permit a jigsaw. The jigsaw is fast and makes very straight lines. We do cover everything with multiple layers of blue tape and never really have chipping issues...but....have any of you guys pulled out a factory mounted unit? Talk about chipping, they really don't care about chipping here at the factory level and rightfully so. These are chips that you will never see as the display covers them up. So don't beat yourself over the head if you get some chips.
Something I have noticed with a rotozip is it takes way too long, so you get fatigued and increase the likelyhood of error. One wood cored surfaces you can also build up a tremendous amount of heat and have smoking dust bits flying beind the dash. That always scares me.
Where is Pirate, he installs electronics, wonder what his weapon of choice is?
Something I have noticed with a rotozip is it takes way too long, so you get fatigued and increase the likelyhood of error. One wood cored surfaces you can also build up a tremendous amount of heat and have smoking dust bits flying beind the dash. That always scares me.
Where is Pirate, he installs electronics, wonder what his weapon of choice is?
Sorrento 25
New Member
A rotary cutter requires you to cut the hole in the correct direction - I believe it is clockwise - so that if the cutter does get away from you it cuts in the direction of the scrap material.
The tape is also required to protect the area adjacent to the cut line from getting marred by the "foot" on the jigsaw. If necessary the foot can be removed for clearance but then you need a firm steady handle for control. A Sawzall works equally well.
One of those cheap hacksaw blade holders will also work well for a component cut-out, but won't be nearly as fast.
A high speed carbide or diamond cut-off wheel will make a fast clean cut but also a lot of dust. A vacuum-equipped assistant would be a must with this method.
Make sure you have clearance in back.
The tape is also required to protect the area adjacent to the cut line from getting marred by the "foot" on the jigsaw. If necessary the foot can be removed for clearance but then you need a firm steady handle for control. A Sawzall works equally well.
One of those cheap hacksaw blade holders will also work well for a component cut-out, but won't be nearly as fast.
A high speed carbide or diamond cut-off wheel will make a fast clean cut but also a lot of dust. A vacuum-equipped assistant would be a must with this method.
Make sure you have clearance in back.
Fishnut
Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 509
- Boat Info
- 2006 240 Sundancer
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiser with Bravo III Drive
I hadn't thought about the dusk and mess. I will need to get the vacuum out. It looks like I have plenty of clearance so I am off to do some cutting. This should be fun.:smt013
