Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 15:55:27 -0700
Reply-To: Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: drilling through sheet metal?
In-Reply-To: <000f01c439f7$c7d2e8d0$a9d95e44@none9c7r46o4i1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Stan and others. This might be the source of the problem. The bits
are "cobalt" bits, but may be poor quality. Also, I used WD40 as the
lubricant when I first tried the it on the chrome-plated bumper. It's
possible that the bit lost it's edge. Also, I was trying to drill at
a high speed. Maybe a slower speed might work better.
Thanks.
BTW, I'm pretty pumped to try out my new surf racks tomorrow. I'm
taking the van and the family to Santa Cruz tomorrow. The van is
much more beach-worthy after I ripped out the carpet in the main cabin
and installed vinyl tiles. See below:
http://www.oda.bz/~craigoda/vanagon/img/van-floor-small.jpg
-- Craig
On Fri, 14 May 2004 16:09:43 -0500, Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Sounds like you got Chinese Drill bits.
> Sometimes bumpers are heat treated and require a quality sharp drill bit and
> a little light weight oil to get started.
> Might also start with a smaller 1/8" bit as a pilot and then go to the 1/4"
> bit.
> If you think that bumper is tough you need to try some good quality
> stainless steel, saliva is the best lubricant on stainless.
>
> Stan Wilder
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Craig Oda" <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 2:43 PM
> Subject: drilling through sheet metal?
>
> > Is it possible to drill through sheet metal with a hand drill? I have
> > cobalt bits and a standard Sears drill.
> >
> > My front license plate fell off and the screw that kept it on the
> > front bumper snapped off. I want to drill another hole into the front
> > bumper to mount the license plate properly. I tried to drill a hole
> > into the front bumper for about 30 minutes and could not.
> >
> > I've also tried to drill a hole into the pillar where the fire
> > extinguisher is attached to. I haven't had any luck here either.
> >
> > Are there any special techniques? Or, do I need special tools?
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > BTW, I also appreciate all the feedback I got about my surf racks for
> > the Westy. In a strange coincidence, the guy that sold me the long
> > board had a set of Yakima gutter-mount racks for sale. Thanks to
> > people on this list, I knew about the side-mount fake gutters for
> > Yakima. So, I bought the surf racks from the guy and mounted the
> > racks pretty easily with some parts I picked up from the local REI.
>
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