Whats the best way to drill into pedestal guards?

[weinie]

I will be installing an X5 auto pilot and need to drill 2 new holes in the guard to run the wires for the control head and steering motor.
I fear that the drill bit will walk all over the stainless steel guard.
Anyone have any hints?

 

[Ross]

mark the locations with a sharp center punch.

 

[AtlanticAl]

when i drill anything that the drill is likely to slipp on, i put duct tape on it, in the form of a cross, then drill right through the center of the cross, the duct tape, stops the drill from slipping. Stainless is not the easiest thing to work, so make sure you use a new and unused drill for it.

 

[BobT]

And if your final diameter is 1/4" or larger, drill a starter hole.
With some drills it's hard to keep the speed slow enough for metal work.

 

[Steve Dion]

If you can easily remove the guard, remove it and put it in a drill press.

 

[Barry Needalman]

Buy an electrical ground clamp that is intended to clamp to a water pipe. Calmp the ground to the round pipe. Remove the screw that usually holds the ground wire wire and use the hole as a drill guide.

 

[dparilla]

I have had very good luck with a dremel diamond tip taper to make a starter divot. If I need a large hole, I will etch the starting point then use a new drill bit to make the hole. I then use the dremel taper to smooth the edges. Or if it is a small hole just use the dremel bit to bore all the way. Go slow keeping steady pressure but don't force the bit and you will have no problem

 

[Benny17441]

Place some masking tape on the tube and mark the location with pen or pencil. Take a sharp center punch and press it against the mark insuring its axis is perpendicular to the surface. Then strike a solid single blow with a ballpin hammer. You should now have a slight indentation at the place you want to drill. By applying prsessure with the drill the drill bit will remain in the indentation until it bites and not wonder around. Keep the tape in place for protection until the hole is done.

 

[BobD17833]

It will be much easier than you expect.

Use a center punch to locate the hole and provide a stable positon for the drill bit.

Important: Use a COLBALT drill bit, with a hand drill Slowwww speed.

Bob D
Boston

 

[Ron20324]

I placed a couple dozen snaps in/on the stern rail, so tried a number of options. I used painting mask tape (blue, green) in several layers. That holds the drill bit enough to start a dimple.

As in post 6, Sailrite sells a tool to clamp to a rail to make a starter hole. You might make the same tool with one of those clamp-on taps, like used for waterlines to the ice maker.

 

[JohnS]

Haven't tried the tape method. I know a center punch will work. They're cheap, and everyone needs more tools, right? Google "automatic center punch" for a handy solution.

 

[Ron20324]

mark the locations with a sharp center punch.

That might work if the guard is well-bolted in (sturdy) and you'd hammer athwartships, but I'd hesitate to do it in a fore-and-aft direction. Maybe get the mate to lean on the guard?

 

[derfus]

Hi, When I installed the X5 on my boat I had to remove the guard and drill through the deck mountiing plate so the wires would pass through.

 

[JohnS]

That might work if the guard is well-bolted in (sturdy) and you'd hammer athwartships, but I'd hesitate to do it in a fore-and-aft direction. Maybe get the mate to lean on the guard?

That's where the automatic punch comes in handy. No hammer. Just hold the tip in place with one hand, and push. It may take a few strokes to get a good mark on stainless, but it should be good enough to start a small drill bit.