drilling through carbon fiber dashI
 

I will be installing an autometer 5 inch GPS in the dash of my Jag. The dash is carbon fiber. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks for the help. Doug

Doug-
Good question, and timely. I was getting ready to do the same on my Jag: except for _all_ of the gauges.
Think we should use regular hole saws?
Due

I would tape the area where you are going to drill with masking tape. Then get a good quality hole saw (A Cup Type) Like a Starrett, or a Greenlee. Don't use one of those cheap adjustable ones. Then drill through the masking tape into the dash. The tape will protect the dash, and should reduce the possibility of chipping. Use a variable speed drill, and take it easy. BUT FIRST look behind the dash, and make sure you have the clearance! Don't drill through any wires or cables! Just to make sure, check with someone who has more experience with carbon fiber. I've done this on fiberglass many times with excellent results. I can't imagine it could be that different. :fish:

Due, I wouldn't like my dash to be the test bed. Drilling through glass is easy but I don't know anything about carbon fiber. I hope your project is going well, I have been following your posts. Maybe we get the Jag's together someday. Any help from someone that has drilled carbon fiber would be really helpful. Thanks guys. Doug

Tape and a sharp hole saw.

Doug-
Meeting somewhere with the Jags would be fun.
Keep me posted on your Jag too.

Did you get the minor bugs out? I'm sure there will be some of those for me too.
Due

I would go to a motorcycle shop and buy a CF part to practice on. I had to trim some a CF part on my Ducati and used a high speed cut off wheel. You may have sucess with a diamond hole saw at very high speeds, but still I would try it out on something else first.

I would first run the hole saw in reverse to score the circle always helps prevent chiping in fiberglass and woud expect the same in CF
Good idea to bu a test piece though

I found this site: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread/t-19121.html
These guys are cutting carbon fiber for their projects.
Some useful info.

Good info at that site. Looks like I'll be buying several hole saws, since there are over 20 gauges to install.