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Author Topic:   making holes in console

JohnP posted 05-08-2001 08:27 AM ET (US)
Hi All,
I had a question about what people suggest for making holes in the console for cable runs. I was thinking about using a dremel tool to open a hole up but I don't want to chip the fiberglass. Even a 1/2 bit would be to small to fit the power connectors from my FF in. Any Suggestions?
Thanks,
John
Tom W Clark posted 05-08-2001 12:02 PM ET (US)
What you want is a Forstner bit. It cuts a clean hole with a flat bottom. A new hole saw will also cut a fairly clean hole with just a little chipping. I never worried about a little chipping because all my holes were covered with chrome clam shells which made them more water resistant and looked much nicer as well as leading the wires in the proper direction.
dfmcintyre posted 05-08-2001 12:24 PM ET (US)
John -
After you drill the hole(s), if there is a chance of having water around, or on it (say from rain or washing) take an additional step...
Coat the exposed plywood with some mixed up resin (like the West system), to eliminate any water penetration of the wood.
I learned about this from John "Kingfish" Flook, who told me last summer that when he cut out some of the console area for instruments, he had found considerable water in the wood, between the glass layers.
don
kingfish posted 05-08-2001 05:17 PM ET (US)
Ah, Grasshopper - you learn well...(and you beat me to the punchline).
I second Don's advice. I've gotten into the habit of epoxying any raw edge of wood or any other combination of materials that could allow water to infiltrate, whether it's openings in the console, the gunwales, or anywhere else, for wires, instruments, rod holders or what. I learned the hard way in mysteriously ruined radios before I got onto it, but it also helps in a big way to maintain the water proof integrity of the fiberglass and in so doing keeps the wood underneath in good shape ad infinitum.
jcf
lhg posted 05-08-2001 06:35 PM ET (US)
With the Montauk or Outrage standard console, I have never found it necessary to drill holes for electronics wires. My multi-function Lowrance has 5 cables (power, 2 transducers, speed/temp & GPS), all with big plugs on them, and I run them down, on the starboard side above the FE cabinet, through the space between the windshield and the console, over the trim of the FE box and then make a hole in the TOP of the FE box to pass them into the console. It looks very nice, and NO holes are required in the console top or sides. Only about 2" of wire show on the starboard side between the bottom of the windshield and top of the FE box.

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Author	Topic: making holes in console
JohnP	posted 05-08-2001 08:27 AM ET (US) Hi All, I had a question about what people suggest for making holes in the console for cable runs. I was thinking about using a dremel tool to open a hole up but I don't want to chip the fiberglass. Even a 1/2 bit would be to small to fit the power connectors from my FF in. Any Suggestions? Thanks, John
Tom W Clark	posted 05-08-2001 12:02 PM ET (US) What you want is a Forstner bit. It cuts a clean hole with a flat bottom. A new hole saw will also cut a fairly clean hole with just a little chipping. I never worried about a little chipping because all my holes were covered with chrome clam shells which made them more water resistant and looked much nicer as well as leading the wires in the proper direction.
dfmcintyre	posted 05-08-2001 12:24 PM ET (US) John - After you drill the hole(s), if there is a chance of having water around, or on it (say from rain or washing) take an additional step... Coat the exposed plywood with some mixed up resin (like the West system), to eliminate any water penetration of the wood. I learned about this from John "Kingfish" Flook, who told me last summer that when he cut out some of the console area for instruments, he had found considerable water in the wood, between the glass layers. don
kingfish	posted 05-08-2001 05:17 PM ET (US) Ah, Grasshopper - you learn well...(and you beat me to the punchline). I second Don's advice. I've gotten into the habit of epoxying any raw edge of wood or any other combination of materials that could allow water to infiltrate, whether it's openings in the console, the gunwales, or anywhere else, for wires, instruments, rod holders or what. I learned the hard way in mysteriously ruined radios before I got onto it, but it also helps in a big way to maintain the water proof integrity of the fiberglass and in so doing keeps the wood underneath in good shape ad infinitum. jcf
lhg	posted 05-08-2001 06:35 PM ET (US) With the Montauk or Outrage standard console, I have never found it necessary to drill holes for electronics wires. My multi-function Lowrance has 5 cables (power, 2 transducers, speed/temp & GPS), all with big plugs on them, and I run them down, on the starboard side above the FE cabinet, through the space between the windshield and the console, over the trim of the FE box and then make a hole in the TOP of the FE box to pass them into the console. It looks very nice, and NO holes are required in the console top or sides. Only about 2" of wire show on the starboard side between the bottom of the windshield and top of the FE box.