Cutting plastic
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
Cutting plastic
Just curious what everyone is using to cut the plastic bases and plastic helm?
I'm going to be installing speaker in the seat bases and need to cut out spots in the helm for a switch plate and stereo.
Ryan
I'm going to be installing speaker in the seat bases and need to cut out spots in the helm for a switch plate and stereo.
Ryan
1992 21' Vibo DLX with 40hp oil injected Merc Mariner
- kryptonite
- Posts: 488
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Re: Cutting plastic
I drilled corner starting holes and then used a Stanley Fatmax Jabsaw to cut my GPS/FF into the dash. It took just a couple minutes and was clean where a power tool sends fine dust everywhere under the helm that has to be cleaned up.
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-20-556-6- ... B00005QVQH
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-20-556-6- ... B00005QVQH
2013 Bennington 2275RCWL ESP w/Mercury Verado 250 Pro
Mid-America PT24T tandem trailer
Mid-America PT24T tandem trailer
Re: Cutting plastic
kryptonite wrote:Rotozip works great.
I agree !
2014 Benny (Until I find a replacement for my totaled JC Tritoon)
Usually somewhere on the TN River
Usually somewhere on the TN River
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Re: Cutting plastic
If using a jig saw use a down cutting blade so it does not chip the gelcoat on fiberglass.
Cruising the salt waters of East Florida.
Re: Cutting plastic
That's what I used to enlarge the openings in my seat bases. I went from 5" round speakers to 6". I made a jig by cutting a 6" hole in a scrap of 1/4" plywood. Clamped the plywood to the seat base and used it as a guide. You still have to control the Rotozip because it doesn't have a pilot bearing, but it made it easy not to veer off course and totally fup duck the base.Woody wrote:kryptonite wrote:Rotozip works great.
I agree !
Re: Cutting plastic
I've never been able to control my Rotozip on any surface. It's about an unused tool for me.
I'd drill a starter hole and use a sabre saw with a proper blade.
I'd drill a starter hole and use a sabre saw with a proper blade.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150
- evinrude2stroke
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Re: Cutting plastic
I made a jig by cutting a 6" hole in a scrap of 1/4" plywood. Clamped the plywood to the seat base and used it as a guide.[/quote]sunedog wrote:
Good idea!! I'm going to be adding speakers up front next week. I think a 5" hole saw will do the trick but if I have to go larger I may have to use your idea. Thanks.
Dave
2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series
2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series
Re: Cutting plastic
Thanks for all the suggestions
Ryan
Ryan
1992 21' Vibo DLX with 40hp oil injected Merc Mariner
Re: Cutting plastic
Bamaman wrote:I've never been able to control my Rotozip on any surface....
It does get kinda wild if you don't hang onto it good, but I have found it handy for several different projects.
2014 Benny (Until I find a replacement for my totaled JC Tritoon)
Usually somewhere on the TN River
Usually somewhere on the TN River
- Mosnowman
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Re: Cutting plastic
I just installed new speakers under my seats. I duck taped the entire area and used a jigsaw. It worked great and I wasn't overly concerned about perfect looking holes because the speaker face covered it up. It was easy...fiberglass would be an entire different story!
BUSY LIVING...
2012 Harris Flotebote 240 Cruiser Tritoon
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It Comes Down To a Simple Choice..Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying....
2012 Harris Flotebote 240 Cruiser Tritoon
Mercury Verado 150 / Performance Package @ Rough Water Package
Columbia Mo BZLIVN
It Comes Down To a Simple Choice..Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying....
Re: Cutting plastic
I just bought this hole saw set from Harbor Freight. The speakers I'm installing require a 5 inch hole, so this seems perfect since a 5 inch hole saw is included in the set. Hope it works.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-c ... 68115.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-c ... 68115.html
2004 Hurricane GS211
Yamaha 150 OX66
Yamaha 150 OX66
- evinrude2stroke
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Re: Cutting plastic
I was looking at that set on Amazon. Wasn't too sure about the reviews though...I installed a second set of speakers on mine today and didn't want to wait for it to get shipped. My boat is in a slip and don't have access to electricity for my Dremel. I ended up using the drill bit from my Dremel on my cordless drill & Hand/Jab saw to finish. Came out great. I feel I had better control with the drill than I would have if I used the Dremel.omar174 wrote:I just bought this hole saw set from Harbor Freight. The speakers I'm installing require a 5 inch hole, so this seems perfect since a 5 inch hole saw is included in the set. Hope it works.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-c ... 68115.html
Last edited by evinrude2stroke on Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dave
2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series
2016 Manitou 20' w/ 90 E-Tec Pontoon Series
Re: Cutting plastic
My speakers needed a 5" hole, if I recall correctly. I already had a Milwaukee hole saw that has a single arbor (which costs like $20), and then you attach whatever size hole saw you want to it (each of which costs $10-$20). I figured it was worth the $17 or whatever the 5" saw costs, so I went with that.
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1999 Lowe Suncruiser Trinidad 220
90 HP Evinrude 2 stroke
1999 Lowe Suncruiser Trinidad 220
90 HP Evinrude 2 stroke
- The_Hellbilly
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Re: Cutting plastic
This is what I used. Run it forward until the drill bit makes a hole in the plastic, then run it in reverse so the teeth dont get too much bite at once. Worked perfectly. I think I paid about $40 at my local hardware store. It may seem kind of pricey, but I figured I had one shot to get it right.
Counting all the a$$holes in the room Well I'm definitely not alone
2005 Voyager 22ft Tritoon
2004 Honda 135hp
Strakes, underskinned, aluminum deck, etc.
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2005 Voyager 22ft Tritoon
2004 Honda 135hp
Strakes, underskinned, aluminum deck, etc.
Towed by: '11 Chevy Z71 Crewcab