Drilling a hole in instrument lens - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

86swb · 10-18-2014, 07:40 PM

How do you drill a hold in the instrument lens without cracking it? I need to drill a hole for the clock.

**TBONE1964** · 10-18-2014, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86swb

How do you drill a hold in the instrument lens without cracking it? I need to drill a hole for the clock.

Some have used a hot nail and pushed it through holding it with vise grips.

I personally use good masking tape on both sides and a dull bit. A new bit will most likely crack the lens due to the bit grabbing the plastic.

My advise is to get yourself a junk lens to practice a technique on and also make a template for your hole. You will only have one chance on the good lens to get the hole in just the right spot. Using a grommet in the hole as well also gives you a little wiggle room.

Hope this helps,
Tom

magicoolbus · 10-19-2014, 02:00 AM

Use a uni bit step drill.

86swb · 10-19-2014, 09:24 AM

What is a uni bit step drill?

crossfire84 · 10-19-2014, 09:48 AM

I think this.

86swb · 10-19-2014, 12:50 PM

OH, ok. I do not have those so guess I will be making a trip to Lowes. I also guess I should try to find something like the lens to practice on. If I am going to screw up do not want to be on the new one.

Would not be good.

motornut · 10-28-2014, 08:07 PM

Yup I'd go hot nail ,or pin first,practice on any plastic,sometimes it will curl up first.
and glowing red will leave burnt plastic,lighter might be enough,but i'd use a torch
you can use a larger bit sharp (finger rotate it) to bevel the edge

mitch1965 · 12-22-2014, 12:20 PM

Whenever drilling plastic or lexan, I always use a dull bit and go in reverse. This way, I get the exact size I need and it melts its way through.

86swb · 12-22-2014, 12:32 PM

Thanks, very interesting. Another way to burn your way through.

10-18-2014, 07:40 PM	#1
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Drilling a hole in instrument lens How do you drill a hold in the instrument lens without cracking it? I need to drill a hole for the clock. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-19-2014, 02:00 AM	#3
magicoolbus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 513	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens Use a uni bit step drill. __________________ JB from AZ 1969 Chevy Sub K10 1957 Chevy 3200 1962 VW Beetle 1957 Willys CJ5

10-19-2014, 09:24 AM	#4
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens What is a uni bit step drill? __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-19-2014, 09:48 AM	#5
crossfire84 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: wind lake WI Posts: 1,751	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens I think this. Attached Images __________________ LIL ERV the 50-3600 396 BBC stroked to 415 cid Richmond 6spd over drive C4 rear Porter built a arms Never give the Devil a ride,because he'll want to Drive!

10-19-2014, 12:50 PM	#6
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens OH, ok. I do not have those so guess I will be making a trip to Lowes. I also guess I should try to find something like the lens to practice on. If I am going to screw up do not want to be on the new one. Would not be good. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-28-2014, 08:07 PM	#7
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens Yup I'd go hot nail ,or pin first,practice on any plastic,sometimes it will curl up first. and glowing red will leave burnt plastic,lighter might be enough,but i'd use a torch you can use a larger bit sharp (finger rotate it) to bevel the edge __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

12-22-2014, 12:20 PM	#8
mitch1965 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 376	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens Whenever drilling plastic or lexan, I always use a dull bit and go in reverse. This way, I get the exact size I need and it melts its way through. __________________ '99 K1500 Tahoe, 2dr, barn doors - 350/ 4L60E, 3.73 '01 K2500HD Silverado Ext Cab - 496/ Allison, 4.10

12-22-2014, 12:32 PM	#9
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Drilling a hole in instrument lens Thanks, very interesting. Another way to burn your way through. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS



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