cutting holes in carpet for bolts

[c20pickup]

seems simple enough? how does everyone mark and cut holes in the carpet for their trucks? looking to bolt down the seat more specifically. razor seems like a good option but very awkward and i cant seem to cut a neat even round hole. any suggestions

[jocko]

Whatever you do, don't use a drill!

[leddzepp]

I used a soldering iron, it worked very well. You will destroy the soldering iron in the process so use a cheap one from harbor freight

[weim55]

Poke through the hole with a long large diameter awl then round it out and seal the fray with a soldering iron.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by jocko

Whatever you do, don't use a drill!

Why not? I did... and with a hole saw! I learned how to do it so no part of the pile pulls from a video link posted on ACC's and Stock Interior's website. I made about 25 holes (bucket seats, console, dimmer switch, etc.). I laid the carpet in place, pushed an ice pick through from underneath the floor and marked the holes with a white crayon. I then cupped my hand under the carpet at each marked location and used a sharp 3/4" hole saw with the drill IN REVERSE. Makes nice clean holes. My carpet has the ACC mass backing, but I don't think that matters. The soldering iron sounds like a good idea too, but I'm not sure how that would work with mass backed carpet.
Here's the video link:
https://youtu.be/cHljDaMFDNg

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I used a soldering iron, it worked very well. You will destroy the soldering iron in the process so use a cheap one from harbor freight

Working @ Sears in the 60's putting in seat belts. All we used was a big awl and a bigger hammer. One hard punch and it was through the carpet, floor, and you were done. With the big washers top and bottom everything was sealed.

[morepower71]

I just lay the carpet over the bolts and use a razor blade to cut an x in the carpet and put it down around the bolt. Been doing that for years and never had a problem with it.

[hugger6933]

No need to make a hole just an X with a sharp blade. Has been working for me for dang near 30 years. Just as with many things there is more than one way Whatever works best for you as you progress.

[davepl]

FWIW I screwed the bolts in from UNDERNEATH the floor pan, then did my cutting (razor in my case). They're long enough to poke right through in most places. Then I marked and cut and flipped the bolts around.

[c20pickup]

thanks for all the replies! gives me some ideas to think about

[Robznob11]

I just did mine this weekend. I bought a cheap exacto knife. If your holes are already there have a helper push up with a screw driver from the bottom. Locate the hole and then just stab the exacto knife in the hole untill its clear enough for the bolt to pass.

[custom10nut]

If I remember right, I used the Exacto Knife method, but the hot Phillips and soldering iron methods seem like they would be "cleaner"

[Money_pit]

Hot Phillips screwdriver worked awesome. Great idea