Thread: Gauge Holes - Fiberglass Dash

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just posted how i do it on denny.s

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

just posted how i do it on denny.s

Read it there first.

cut the hole with the holesaw and take a smaller piece of hose. Wrap some sandpaper around it and finish to the size, putting gauge in every now and then for proper fit...........done

Roger - I don't believe there is a hole saw made that cut the size hole stamped on the body - they are usually a minimum of 1/32 larger based on wobble.

These folks have the 2-1/16" for $6.58 tho no 3-5/32".

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hole-saws/=67q69u

You need the $9.57 arbor as well which is the next page of the catalog.

These were cut for the Billet Specialties overlay panel using the 3.25 and 2.062 hole saws from McMaster and have VDO's in them now. These were pretty accurate and needed only a small amount of filing (steel dash) to clean up

Since it is fiberglass I think I'll go for a bit smaller, like 2" and maybe 3.125" and then sand to fit. I'm a bit concerned with 3.125" for the big ones, as that is only 1/32" small, and they caution not to go too big. Thanks for all of the input.

Originally Posted by rspears

Since it is fiberglass I think I'll go for a bit smaller, like 2" and maybe 3.125" and then sand to fit. I'm a bit concerned with 3.125" for the big ones, as that is only 1/32" small, and they caution not to go too big. Thanks for all of the input.

If the dash comes out, I suggest a drill press. Those #@$% hole saws really like to grab and move around ( I have a scar from a 4 incher to prove that statement ). If not, start it s-l-o-o-w

The bore undersize, and open up with a drum sander is what I did with this '32 dash. I did as Dave suggested, bored slow in the blank out of the car. With this one I did the "insert" piece then sunk it into the dash surface. It looks similar to an old SW panel shape but I had no pattern so just did what looked good to me. As an aside, after bonding it to the dash panel, I formed a 1/4" half round bead around the opening to give it a more interesting appearance. Then got some sheet stock engine turned panel and cut to shape to back the gauges.