Drilling fibreglass

[B@W]

Has anybody got the diffinitive method for drilling fibreglass: slow speed, high speed, foward, reverse, sharp bit, dull bit........................

I'm getting sick of splintering the gell coat every time I try and drill holes in the bloddy stuff!!

Cheers, Mark

[DJ Tera]

Start off with a small drill bit, at slowish speed, then work your way up

[Rattler]

[Gav748sp]

Hi Mate

You want to get a cone shaped Stepped drill. Bought one myself, very very good, perfect holes. :D

I have attatched a link to give you an idea of what they look like but you want one that goes from about 2mm up to about 12 mm in 1 or 2 mm incraments. I paid about £18 for mine and worth every penny.

Hope this helps.

Gav

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000056OOV/102-3987675-4305732?v=glance

[B@W]

Blimey you lot don't hang around do you fellas.

Thanks for the advice.

Mark

[rcgbob44]

Place some marking tape on the fibreglass and drill through at at high speed but feed the drill slowly.

If its a yellow bike just smash a hole thru` it, it wont affect its looks !!!:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[neil748r]

B@W,

Here's another link at a more realistic price! UK as well and you can order online.

Assuming you're drilling holes for fasteners etc, this Step Drill (http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/catalog/viewproductdetails.jsp;jsessionid=IBNTTYW1VGWB5QFI AEWSFE4AVAAS0IV3?prodId=021410) will be perfect.

Also, cover area to be drilled with masking tape and drill from the gel coat side. Take it nice and easy at SLOW speed. Once you have the size of hole you require, use the next shoulder on the bit to put a chamfer on the edge of the hole. Helps to stop the gel coat cracking through use.

Cheers,

Neil

[rcgbob44]

Neil

I have found that at low speed a drill tends to "chip" fibre glass but at higher speeds it cuts producing dust as oposed to small particles.

It just takes a bit of care whichever way one chooses!

[neil748r]

I would tend to agree if you're using a normal drill bit. However, in my experience, the cutting edges on a step drill are so sharp that it tends to pull the bit through the panel if the speed is too high. Before you know it, one lovely 14mm hole - not good! :o Unless it's red of course - then all you need is a ballpeen hammer!!!:frog:

[Jon]

Because a drill bit is a twist bit it will pull the material towards it. To prevent this grind off the inside face of the bit. Instead of cutting it will scrape its way through.

Otherwise use a glass bit.

[B@W]

Stepped drill bit = 'hot knife through butter'

Job jobbed.

Thanks all.

Mark

[B@W]

Stepped drill bit = 'hot knife through butter'

Job jobbed.

Thanks all.

Mark