Kind of a silly subject, but there has got to be a trick to drilling a hole through the carpet & underlay without getting a big wad of underlay wrapped around the drill bit. I am trying to tap some holes in the tunnel for my console and of course I need to do this with the carpet in there, anyone got an old indian trick to make this work?
drilling through carpet
- Thread starter robbz28
- Start date
but will one of those fabric punches go through the carpet and the insulation and the underlay? It would take a serious blow to get through all of that and not beat up the floor pan in the process. I like the soldering iron idea, if it will melt the insulation as well, I am having to go through 5/8-3/4 of an inch of materials, i can probably compress it to 3/8 when i finally get a screw through it.
pabear89
Active Member
I have found the best way to locate and make screw/bolt holes thru the carpet and such, Is using a cotterpin tool to locate the hole center.
Then a hot soldering iron to make a neat hole thru the carpet and underlayment. I have used it for screws to seatbelt bolts with great results.
Then a hot soldering iron to make a neat hole thru the carpet and underlayment. I have used it for screws to seatbelt bolts with great results.
OK, ya'll don't seriously think they did all that at the factory, right? Yet carpet pulls were not a problem.
Solution? Same for whether you are making a new hole, such as adding a console, or finding an old one, when replacing the carpet.
Use an awl and mallet. Fast, easy, requires no heat, no carpet pulls, and finds old holes.
Solution? Same for whether you are making a new hole, such as adding a console, or finding an old one, when replacing the carpet.
Use an awl and mallet. Fast, easy, requires no heat, no carpet pulls, and finds old holes.
PoppyMod
Member
What has consistently worked for me, is using a pencil point soldering iron and cauterizing each screw hole. I use tan awl to locate the holes through the mounting points, the carpet and the metal.
Happy Motoring!
Happy Motoring!
PoppyMod
Member
PoppyMod
Member
65springtime
Member
Wow, that is some transformation. Just a beautiful job. Really hard to believe that is the same car. But like you said "it is worth it".
65springtime
Member
The more I look at the befor picture, the more I say to myself-why did they let if get in that bad of shape? Some people just do not take care of things. Or was it a Chop Shop?
No, it went out west when new, even made a speed run at Bonneville. Driven for years, came back about 15-20 years ago on a tow, already rusty. Taken apart for restoration, shop and/or owner were in over their heads, the body hung on a rotisserie, but all the parts were out in the weather.
Instead of punching I melt the holes in the carpet. This seals the edges to prevent runners and makes it EASY to find the hole.
Get a drill bit the size of the hole you want. Put a piece of rubber hose on the sharp end. Use a propane torch to heat the butt end just barely red hot. Place it on the carpet and melt on through. I put a piece of masking tape on the carpet with the hole location marked and burn right through the tape.
I even used a 1/2" bit and burned the holes for the seat belts. It took me a couple of heat cycles but it worked great. Burned right through the underlayment also.
Get a drill bit the size of the hole you want. Put a piece of rubber hose on the sharp end. Use a propane torch to heat the butt end just barely red hot. Place it on the carpet and melt on through. I put a piece of masking tape on the carpet with the hole location marked and burn right through the tape.
I even used a 1/2" bit and burned the holes for the seat belts. It took me a couple of heat cycles but it worked great. Burned right through the underlayment also.
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