Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

hello,

I have a 20' pontoon that I recently re-decked and put new carpet on. I would like to drill through the carpet to install the sides. The sides are screwed down with lag screws. I would like to pre drill for the screws.

Should I take any precautions before drilling in the carpet?

Thanks

Depends on carpet. Some will grab the bit and frey the carpet and some won't I would try a scrap piece to see first. Might be able to use a solder gun or hot bolt to melt where hole is going.

I always cut a small slit where I am going to drill. There is nothing worse than unraveling the carpet with a drill bit. It can spread all the way across the carpet to the end pulling up one strand can be seen from outer space.

old trick is drill backwards first then flip the switch to drill normal never lifting

I think I will try the hot tip trick. Maybe find a junk drill bit and heat is red hot then touch it to the carpet.

think i would use a punch an reverse drill then go forward.
doc

hotairgypsy wrote:old trick is drill backwards first then flip the switch to drill normal never lifting

ditto

some of the other suggestions are good

Also if you have a hand drill, use that. You control the speed and can monitor the carpet.

Worked for me.

Drilling in reverse is also a good technique for fiberglass/gel coats.

awsome info didnt know how to drill through the carpet but the owners manual says becareful as the carpet is one string and drilling may ruin the carpet

i wouldn't do it. i'd slit it and insert a bushing, then drill through that.