??? for Giantfan

[Shamrock Eddie]

Ted all your cut outs for your electronics are very clean what type of blade are you using or are you using a rotozip? I'd like to flush mount my radar but am somewhat concerned about getting a nice clean cut.

Thanks

[giantfan]

Ted all your cut outs for your electronics are very clean what type of blade are you using or are you using a rotozip? I'd like to flush mount my radar but am somewhat concerned about getting a nice clean cut.

Thanks

Well.... the cut outs on the Ruthless were there from the old stuff, which I had nothing to do with. I am going to cover all that with a piece of starboard cut out for all the new stuff.

I have found that a jig/saber saw is the best for cutting fiberglass with a thick wood backer. The roto zip works but has a tough time getting thru the 3/4" plywood.

Typically I would cut what I can with the jig saw and all the spots that I can't get with that I will cut with a sawzall.

Let me know when you want to do yours and I will come down and cut it for you. It's really no big deal and will only take an hour or so..... the time is in running all the wires.

Just let me know when....

[giantfan]

Oh.... one more thing.... when cutting with a jig saw on a finished gelcoat surface it is best to use a blade that cuts on the down stroke vs a normal blade that cuts on the up stroke..... you will get less chiping.

And always tape the area to be cut before doing your layout ( I like to use blue tape as it doesn't leave any glue residue when you take it off)

And if you mess up with the layout.... you can always replace the tape and start over......this will help with reducing the chiping as well.

[Shamrock Eddie]

Thanks great advice, For some reason when I purchased my boat I notice the guy never ran the plug for the radar unit down to the helm the only reason I can figure is he didn't want to chance drilling a big hole for the plug connector. He would just open a port and drop the wire down on days he needed radar ,very ****ty way of doing it :****:. So to make a long story short all my wires are in the right place I just need to relocate the head unit. I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it nothing I need to do today but would definately look much cleaning flush mounted up top.

[Procastinator]

Whatever you do, after making your cut out, take some 80 grit paper on a sanding block and sand the gelcoat side of the cut smooth with a taper going from the face of the cut towards the inside of the cut. After the cut is smooth, finish up with some 180 to 200 grt paper. Do this and you should avoid any future spider cracks radiating from the cutout.

Also, wherever you plan on running a screw through or into the gelcoat, be sure to countersink the hole through the gelcoat to avoid future spider cracking.

Oh, and also, don't forget to wash behind your ears. :smile: