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Thread: Cutting New Dashboard Advice?

  1. #1
    Senior Member cv2065's Avatar
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    Cutting New Dashboard Advice?

    I have the Russ Thompson turn signal mod with the new plastic dashboard. Russ's instructions state that the factory steering wheel hole needs to be enlarged to 1 3/4" to accommodate the mounting tube. Anyone done this yet and what's the best method to cut it? I don't want to mess it up. I'm thinking a hole saw from the front as the bezel should cover up any sins?
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    I used a rotary file in a die grinder. The soft covering gets hot and hardens, no issues. I outlined the area to be cut with a white pencil. When this was previously discussed, someone used a dremmel with a sanding drum on it.
    I would not use a hole saw. I would be concerned the teeth would pull the soft covering before it make a cut through it. You would also need a backer for the drill bit to start and control the saw. The dash would have to be attached to the backer. Good luck,
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    Senior Member Fixit's Avatar
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    A "no" to the holesaw... as mentioned it will grab the upholstery and shred it up.

    Another method could be to score it several times (nearly all the way through) on the backside with a utility knife, then snap out the pieces
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    Senior Member cv2065's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. I was thinking hole saw as I couldn't remember if the entire dash was shaped like leather, but still plastic, or if it actually had some fabric on it. Sharp carpet knife scoring from the back sounds like the 'safe' way to go. I could always put a small cutting wheel on my Dremel as well. Might heat it up though...
    Last edited by cv2065; 10-23-2018 at 06:40 PM.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Jdav's Avatar
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    Scoring from the back is how i did it. It actually cuts really easily
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  6. #6
    Senior Member cv2065's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jdav View Post
    Scoring from the back is how i did it. It actually cuts really easily
    Thanks JD! That'll be the plan for the weekend
    MKIV Roadster - #9380 - Complete Kit - Delivered 7/17/18 - SOLD 5/2023
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