I want to install my CHT gauge on the dash face of my car, (saw this at RRC) looked real clean. My thought was to cut a larger dia hole where the lighter is. I'm not sure the best way to go about doing this. What's the best way to cut it? Anyone know if I need to remove the entire dash, just the kneepad? advice anyone???

I got the hole saw!!!!

Unplug the battery, and i'd just drill through the material

Want to come over and help me out? Beer's on me.....
My fear is what's behind the dash and the probability that I will sever everything once I begin cutting....

Britt,

I have a hole saw perfect size. The problem is since the lighter hole is already on existance, there is nothing for the drill bit to bite into to pull the teeth into the metal and the teeth on the drill teeth just slide...

I'll be there ~ 4:20pm, if that's cool with you.

If you want it where the lighter is, maybe just move the new hole off center enough to miss the lighter hole with the pilot bit, but still engulf it?

We'll figure something out.

That's cool with me.... Thanks man-Dingo...

Note edit on time change, Bri. I have to run to the folks house and deliver a tailgate for Pops truck.

Works for me..

You might consider mounting under dash, no holes, no worries. This place has brackets.

Egauges

wait a sec, cant you find one of those cone shaped bits to drill holes with? They step from a very small size to a very LARGE size, and drill concentric with the cig lighter hole. Dunno if thats what you want, but seems like you'd want it centered with something.

that would be one LARGE and expensive Unibit...

but a good idea

if drilling off center doesn't allow a descent guide hole location, take some scrap sheet metal and a couple of self taping screws and fill in the lighter hole then drill. place the screws just outside of the lighter hole. also i would cut the vinyl as a hole saw will pull the living sheet out of it.

How big of a hole are you talking about? Electricial knockout punch will give the best hole. Far better than you would get by using a hole saw and you don't need to worry about a backing plate. I have some larger ones I can loan. I also agree about cutting the vinyl first.

I use them all the time in my work and the results are great and they are easy to use but Aaron is right they can be very expensive to use only one time.

Just a reminder. There is the vinyl. This is adhered to a thin sheet metal strip. The dash is behind this. Where the switches are located, there is a raised section. This means that the strip of sheet metal with the vinyl contacts the dash at these points. There is some foam adhesive strips elsewhere. I would remove it all to make sure you get the best installation. That is a lot more work but less guessing.

Mark,

A Greenlee should punch thru all of it in one shot, no? Maybe not the vinyl, but all else?

I removed the kneepad, and cross cut the vinyl (will be replaced anyway) in short order. cut a small piece of sheetmetal and used two sheet metal screws for a guide on the hole saw (couldn't cut butter). So I used a drill bit went around the edge until it looked like an old dial phone. Cut the tabs and now I'm grinding it smooth with a dremel.... a little more work, but I think it will be the cleanest this way with the limited tools I have for a project like this... Thanks for the feedback all Pics later..

Looks like he has it already! I think a greenlee might do it in one cut. but I personally wouldn't try it. Remember there is a gap between the 2 pieces of metal. A greenlee will smash them together and deform the outer piece.

You all have dashes?

Ahh, now I see. I missed the part about the gap.

20-30 minutes of grinding the edges to round them out and smooth them out, and presto.... Vinyl is gone.. I was afraid it would happen, and it did.... No biggie, easy enough to replace, and not to expensive... trying to clean up the wires, but will wait and finish that part up tomorrow....