Best tool for cutting holes through Mac hull

[beene]

Hi

I cut a 2 1/4 " hole through the cabin top to attach the pumpout deck plate, required for potty in Ontario, to attached it to the plumming on the interior. It was a tear jerking experience to say the least. Used a drill with a hole saw attachment, which was "fun" as it popped through the many layers of the Mac cabin top and cabin liner.

My question is:

What is the best tool for cutting through the hull and other areas of the boat, ie cabin liner, pedistal plexiglas front face for Tach and other instruments etc.?

I am thinking a dremel tool for large circles or box/rectangle shapes.

Thanks for any imput as always

[Divecoz]

Hole saws work great, but like cars and boats , you can buy cheap or good and seldom are they both. I use Carbide tipped for some work and Green-lee makes good quality standard type. Try a good electrical supply or McMaster Carr . Hole saws come in every size imaginable in 1/8 inch increments . I put down a layer of Good Duct tape and then do my layout work. Reduces chipping. Finer the blade nicer the cut. Got time to cut a template or have the proper adapters? Rotozip or a Dremal tool is awesome. IMHO for "most" work a jig saw is for hacks....but then again if you have one of those $200 babies they too can do a really nice job.

[Highlander]

Hi Geoff.
I Used a hole saw to cut through the face of my pedestal for my tach. cut very slowly to avoid cracking plexi glass

If using hole saw on hull cut through hull from outside the pilot hole should be through to the inside once you cut through the hull or cabin go inside & drill at the pilot hole to get a clean cut from the inside liner for larger holes like 4 1/2" or 6 1/2" for deck plates I used jigsaw after drawing a temp. plate
I also used the jigsaw to cut out my cockpit portlights



In this pic' you can see where i cut below the wheel for my tach, also you can see that i cut & lowered the steering wheel center height on he ped.

If you look closely on the starboard side you can see my 6" deck plate cut out where the cockpit seat back cushions go this gave me access to install my genoa track . If you put masking tape over the the area to be cut this will help stop paint chipping & protect the painted surface as your only a 1/2hr drive from "me driving " my place your wecome to come down & look at my ped before you cut out & install your eng. control & tach. as my boat is inside my wee shed you better bring your knee pads Phone me I'll give you directions " the back roads " no traffic

John

[kmclemore]

Geoff, here's a couple of links to previous discussions with lots of good info...

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=302

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5119

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=5898

Cheers,
Kevin

[beene]

Thanks for the info Richard.

John, I will gladly accept your very gracious offer. I will send you a PM about times.

Kevin,
You are going to have to show me how you do that one of these days.
I swear you got your badge in magic.

Me, woodworking, skiing, swimming, ..... no magic badge.

Thanks a Million

G

[kmclemore]

Kevin,
You are going to have to show me how you do that one of these days.
I swear you got your badge in magic.

No magic at all. It's simple, Beane. I just clicked on the 'search' link at the top of this window, then I typed in hole saw dremel on the first line, clicked the button that says "Search for all terms" and hit enter... the results were few and their titles gave away the goodies right from the start.

[Alex]

Beene, take a look, You need it !!
http://www.casemodgod.com/blow_holes.htm

[beene]

Beene, take a look, You need it !!
http://www.casemodgod.com/blow_holes.htm

Cool

And Thanks again KM, I think I am starting to get the hang of it.

I never ticked the "Search for all terms" box, makes a BIG difference

[kmclemore]

And Thanks again KM, I think I am starting to get the hang of it.

I can rest now. I have served my puropse in this life.

[beene]

NO NO MY FRIEND

My wish for you and all of us is that we NEVER feel like our usefulness has come to an end.

May your contributions to all of us that need help from more experienced and knowledgeable folks, such as yourself, go on for years to come.

Your boys are lucky to have a father who can teach them so many hands on skills, like how to build things with your hands. Priceless

G

[kmclemore]

Your boys are lucky to have a father who can teach them so many hands on skills, like how to build things with your hands. Priceless
G

I'd love to teach them... getting them to sit still and listen is the hard part!

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Beene, take a look, You need it !!
http://www.casemodgod.com/blow_holes.htm

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[Currie]

Along the same lines as cutting holes....

How is hardware such as additional jib tracking and other (fairly high-load) riggings attached to the deck? Ideally, I would want access to both the top and underside of the fasteners for washers/locknuts and such. With the deck-liner in the way, how does one fasten down, say, a longer working jib track? Thanks....

~ Bob

[Chip Hindes]

Get hole saws for the standard size hull plugs. Drill a pilot hole from the outside through deck and liner. Use the hole saw to core out a hole through the liner. Finish the outside hole the appropriate size. Insert hold down screw through the part and the outer deck. Back with a fender washer and nylok nut. Pop a liner plug into the liner.

[Currie]

Cool! Thanks Chip.