Hi All, I know I've heard the answer to this, but for now it escapes me. I'm putting in new ACC molded carpting and need to make holes for the seat bolts, belt bolts, etc. What's the best way to drill holes in it w/o unraveling the carpet? Russ
I always use a razor blade, make a small X Can fit a lot of things through a small X Probably not the right way....but it works for me.
Since usually the object you are bolting down is bigger than the hole actually needed, the tightly bolted object can prevent most of the unraveling. Based on that theory, I use a box knife with a new, sharp blade and cut an X over the hole. The length of the X marks only need to be as wide as the hole. The bolt, screw, etc., will fit tightly and look like the carpet was molded around them. This is my way. It may not be perfect, but it has worked for me for years. Good grief! Two replies while typed this one.
Once you get the holes cut and are ready to put the seats and belts in take a couple drinking straws and cut them into a couple pieces and stick through the holes this will help you to see the holes for lining up the bolts.
The soldering iron sounds interesting, but since I don't have one, the "X" factor will do! Thanks! Russ
I also use a small straight edge razor blade (something with a handle would probably be safer). I take a tool similar to an ice pick and push through the carpet, through the hole in the floor. I then cut out a small square in the carpet/padding slightly bigger than the bolt hole using the pick as a guide. Doesn't have to be perfect since the tracks are way bigger and will cover the hole completely. When I sit my seat back in, it just falls into place. Drills can ruin the carpet quick.
Just don't make your X too big or the carpet has a tendency to keep ripping at the corners of the X under stress from peoples feet. If you have a torch (propane) and a piece of pipe and a pair of gloves, you can use that. Say for a 7/16 bolt, use a 1/2 piece of copper plumbing pipe, heat it up and poke it through where you want the hole. Get a chunk of 3/4 for the seat bolts. Just heat the pipe till it starts to turn color and it should work fine. You will want to heat the end up that you are going to use pointing straight up so that the heat doesn't travel to the other end of the pipe so fast too.
You can pick up a set of hole punches at Harbor Freight or Northern Hydraulics. It's basically chisel with a sharp round punch on the end. I bought a set of them and they are very handy and reasonably priced too.
How cheap is an soldering iron? Especially compared to the time and cost of installing carpet? The "X" may work great for some things, but what about the hi beam switch on the floor?
