What type of bit to drill through fiberglass?

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by billius.

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April 28, 2011 at 2:54 pm #367950

kent7351
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I got my Ram ball bolted up in the bow of my boat and now Im ready to mount the GPS puck. Ive seen BCB puts them along side the trolling motor which I think looks pretty slick. I beleive I need to drill about a 5/8 inch hole to drop the GPS cable through and im wondering what kind of bit I should use to do this.I get REAL nervous drilling holes in my glass! Last edited by kent7351 on April 28th, 2011, 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

April 28, 2011 at 3:14 pm #367953

billius
Participant

I just added a second puck to the bow of my Cougar for my new 858. As I couldnt find a way to get the puck for my 997 to interlink with the 858. I put tape over the area to be drilled. I then start out with a very small bit. I reverse the drill to make a sort of starter hole. Then put it in forward and slowly drill that starter hole, then I work my way up, maybe using two or three bits, increasing in size, until I get to the size I need. I have never had any kind of cracking of the gel coat doing it this way. Im sure BCB or someone else will have good ideas too, but for me this works. Ive done it to attach accessories on several of the boats Ive had in the past. I forgot to mention the bits I use are just regular drill bits you would use for metal.

April 28, 2011 at 3:44 pm #367955

kent7351
Participant

Thanks for the response billius. I will give that process a try.

April 28, 2011 at 9:34 pm #367957

HubChubRatler
Participant

Not sure if it would work, but you could try a “Unibit” (step drill) Maybe Bass Cat can elaborate on the best way.

April 29, 2011 at 1:14 am #367960

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

good advice from billius

April 29, 2011 at 2:31 am #367963

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Heres a sure way, use a countersink bit to start, then drill through with the right size with a std. bit. No tape necessary.

April 30, 2011 at 3:36 am #367966

LUVTOFISH.basscatowners
Participant

I got one of the adapter plates from RAM that attaches between the gimbal bracket and RAM base, so you dont need to drill and when you do your next upgrade you are not left with holes to fill.if you do drill I run my bit in reverse the entire way through with gentle pressure and had zero chipping and clean holesTreat everyday like it might be the last

April 30, 2011 at 11:38 am #367969

pointman821
Participant

when i had to install a new jack plate switch on the side panel, i used my roto zip with a spiral wood cutting bit and it made very smooth chip free cuts.

May 5, 2011 at 7:04 pm #367972

kent7351
Participant

ImLast edited by kent7351 on May 6th, 2011, 1:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.

May 5, 2011 at 9:37 pm #367975

billius
Participant

No…dont use one of those. At least I wouldnt use one like that.
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