Drilling Holes in Fiberglass
NGAAllegre
I need to drill four 1/4" holes in the fiberglass body of my RV to install a
license plate.
Is there anything special about drilling through fiberglass?
Do I use a drill motor and an ordinary bit for metal? Or do a I use a wood
bit? Or some special bit? Or what?
As you can see, I'm a bit ignorant.
Instructions and tips would be appreciated.
TIA,
-- Nicky
Šon Bailey
"NGAAllegre" <ngaal...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20021002150055...@mb-mw.aol.com...
Are you sure you want to drill holes???
Consider an alternative method.
db
can...@mcleodusa.net
Wood bits work fine: drill small pilot holes first, as the 1/4" bit
is likely to wander before it digs in.
Canoli
Neon John
>Hi all,
>
>I need to drill four 1/4" holes in the fiberglass body of my RV to install a
>license plate.
>
>Is there anything special about drilling through fiberglass?
>
>Do I use a drill motor and an ordinary bit for metal? Or do a I use a wood
>bit? Or some special bit? Or what?
There is a specially ground solid tungsten carbide bit for fiberglass but
since you're only doing a few, a regular NEW TiN coated bit will work.
Fiberglass very quickly dulls non-carbide bits and dull bits splinter the
fiberglass instead of cleanly cutting the fibers so be sure to use a new bit.
The TiN (gold colored) bits resist the abrasive glass particles a bit better
than standard bits.
I recommend taping over the spot with duct tape or masking tape before
drilling. This helps control the splintering. Use the highest speed you have
available and very light pressure and have a positive grip on the drill during
breakthrough. If you don't, it's likely to grab and cause serious
splintering.
Personally, I'd be leery of drilling my rig's skin. Have you considered
gluing the tag on, perhaps with a good slathering of RTV? RTV is removable
when necessary but would hold the tag securely. If you do drill, I highly
suggest slathering each hole with RTV to make it water tight.
John
---
John De Armond
johngdDO...@bellsouth.net
http://personal.bellsouth.net/~johngd (old)
http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/o/johngd/ (new)
Cleveland, Occupied TN
Albert Stuff123
they help you.
http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Articles/January_2000/Drilling_Fiberglass.php
Al
Mike Niemela
suggest Dow 5200. This is a marine use product and is very strong.
Adheres to fiberglass very well. Follow the instructions and wear
disposable gloves.
Best
Mike N
Doug Stover
Hi Nicky,
The actual drilling instructions have been pretty well covered in
response to your post. As you can see, there's more than one way to skin
a cat, (that's a catfish reference btw). Personally, I wouldn't drill
those holes unless it was absolutely necessary.
That said, I saw a guy drill a hole in the trunk of his car one day, he
ended up drilling a hole in his gas tank as well. Don't guess, make sure
what's behind that fiberglass.
Later on
Happy Hunter
"Neon John" <johngdDO...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:aapmpukvjv8ejkcad...@4ax.com...
> On 02 Oct 2002 19:00:55 GMT, ngaal...@aol.com (NGAAllegre) wrote:
>
> >Hi all,
> >
> >I need to drill four 1/4" holes in the fiberglass body of my RV to
install a
> >license plate.
> >
> >Is there anything special about drilling through fiberglass?
> >
> >Do I use a drill motor and an ordinary bit for metal? Or do a I use a
wood
> >bit? Or some special bit? Or what?
>
> There is a specially ground solid tungsten carbide bit for fiberglass but
> since you're only doing a few, a regular NEW TiN coated bit will work.
> Fiberglass very quickly dulls non-carbide bits and dull bits splinter the
> fiberglass instead of cleanly cutting the fibers so be sure to use a new
bit.
> The TiN (gold colored) bits resist the abrasive glass particles a bit
better
> than standard bits.
So THAT'S why my bits are dulling so fast. Come here to learn about RVs and
think I solved a problem I've been plagued with for many years.
Nate
Snoop
> I need to drill four 1/4" holes in the fiberglass body of my RV to install a
> license plate.
You could use a Unibit. They are pricey but work well in thin metal and
fiberglass. Use a slow turning drill motor. A couple of holes shouldn't dull
the bit too much. There will be less chance of chipping gelcoat with this bit
but I guess the hole will be covered with the plate.
Snoop
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W1QE
Not a direct answer to your question but have you considered putting the
plate on with doubled sided tape?
I put my front plate on fiberglass with 1/2 inch tape that I got in an
automotive department.
No signs of coming off after four months.
Al