drilling through fabric without tearing

Sum

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Oct 2, 2001, 12:53:21 AM10/2/01

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I have a roman blind to install and the top of the blind is a wooden
shaft 2x2. However it is wrapped in the same fabric as the blind. I
will need to drill a bolt through it to attach it to the wall.

But I am wondering if I start my drill on it will it drill through and
end up with a circular hole, or will it rip the fabric out? I need to
drill through it from the front, through the wood and through the back.

I think may be I need a needle or a small knife, and break several
threads to start a small hole, then push the drill head through to avoid
the rip, and be extra careful on the other side when it comes through to
make sure I stop ahead of time to do the same thing. Or is there a
better way?

Thanks,

Sum

db...@sprynet.com

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Oct 2, 2001, 12:57:02 AM10/2/01

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I would just pull the fabric real hard and then tape it down, the reason
the fabric will tear is that it is being pulled when the drill is
rotated. if it is pulled tight it will not tear and the drill should
just cut through it like it does wood. hope this helps.

Steve Ridley

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Oct 2, 2001, 1:45:09 AM10/2/01

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Hi Sum
Cut a hole in the fabric with a small chisel or a punch.
Put a washer or grommet under the bolt or screw so twisting the head won't tear out the fabric.
Steve

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Jim Fennell

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Oct 2, 2001, 7:00:37 AM10/2/01

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It's called dubbing the bit
You change the cutting angle of the drill bit so it doesn't grab.Since
you're going thru 2 different materials maybe you should drill a small pilot
hole as a spotter all the way thru. Use the dubbed bit, drill the fabric on
each side then use a different bit to drill thru the wood. The dubbed bit
might be able to to drill the wood too. Test on scrap pcs first
Good Luck

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Bob

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Oct 2, 2001, 9:28:57 AM10/2/01

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You could go to a hobby shop and buy a chunk of metal tubing the size, or
slightly larger, of your hole. Sharpen the edge of the metal with a file at
the end. (bevel the edge) Press this against the fabric where you need a
hole, and twist it back and forth to cut a clean hole. Then drill your hole,
being careful to not hit the fabric.

Bob

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warren weber

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Oct 2, 2001, 11:13:46 AM10/2/01

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Heat a nail head red hot. Apply to fabric. This will leave a clean hole and
seal the edges of hole to prevent raveling. Warren

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Arthur Gostick

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Oct 2, 2001, 7:31:06 PM10/2/01

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drill a really small hole first and work yor way up to it.

ART

Dan Hicks

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Oct 2, 2001, 8:50:55 PM10/2/01

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You are wise to be concerned about this. But solving the problem isn't
all that hard. Cover the area of the fabric where you will drill with
masking tape (as a "stabilizer"), then use a razor blade or hobby knife
to make an X-shaped cut in the fabric where you will be drilling. You
should then be able to CAREFULLY drill through the cut without snagging
the fabric and pulling it.

You could use a leather punch, but that's probably overkill.

--
Dan Hicks
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. --Thoreau

Sum

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Oct 2, 2001, 11:55:23 PM10/2/01

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Thanks all for the helpful info. I will actually try several of these on a
test run to see which one gives the best result.

Sum

Gene S

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Oct 3, 2001, 10:39:20 AM10/3/01

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Use an old soldering iron?

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E-mail: ge...@thegateway.net

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