Help me make a hole.

[trekker]

I need to make a hole in my 40's dash. It will be about 1 3/8" or there abouts.

I have a decent drill but I'll need a recomendation on what type of bit to use. I have a Harbor Freight hole saw kit (the cheapie kind).

THis is what I got:

I don't care about trashing this set. Can I give it a try and not create enough heat to burn the paint?

Or is there another tool that I should use to do the job like this:

Thanks for your help!

 

[trekker]

The hole saw set worked just fine. I just used plenty of lube to keep things cool. removed rough edges with a file.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

Keep the hole saw even with the surface you are drilling through so it isn't at an angle. You probably want to check behind the dash to make sure there isn't anything that will get drilled through unintentionally.

 

[Southeast Overland]

hole saw should be OK - step bits are very expensive.

 

[wfd175]

For sheet metal, step bits are the way to go. Much cleaner edges. No chance of walking like hole saws.

 

[fsusteve]

step bits are more better, but if you use a punch and a pilot hole, your hole saw will be fine.

 

[Shift_This]

and use some automotive 3m green tape and tape off where your drilling it will help so your paint wont chip !

 

[splitshot]

Go to your local electrical supply store and see if they carry a nock-out punch die in the size you need.

 

[77TLCFJ40]

My vote is for step bits and tape.

Those step bits are on sale at Harbor Freight for ~ $15.99 if I remember it right. It is worth that much to me to get a clean hole in my dash! And you still have the bits! By the way, I have had a set of the smaller 3 step bits for over a year and lots of uses and they are still fine. The key is to punch first, use a pilot bit to get started, then switch to the step bit. That has worked best for me, but your results may vary.

Good luck