Cutting hole in bumper

Post by **ridemx** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:55 pm

Due to an accident I have a new rear bumper. With the body lift, I need to relocate the hole where the bar goes in to lower the spare tire. With the old bumper I had a very difficult time drilling the hole through the metal. I went through about 4 die grinder bits and barley scratched it, later tried some pretty expensive drill bits and went through about 3 of them, and had to drill for about 20 min to get through. Anyone got a plasma cutter, or a better idea of how to make this hole (about 3/4" diameter)?

Post by **jonesy** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:34 pm

hole saw, plasma, OA torch, trained rats, etc

Post by **Redneck7** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:26 pm

If it is stainless steel giving you trouble: Split point cobalt bit, use cutting oil generously and often enough to keep it cool, decent amount of pressure, low drill speed, take rests to keep heat down, but just pull the drill away, don't let it creep to a stop with the bit still in contact with the stainless.

I've had years of practice drilling stainless on various things on my boats and that's the procedure I've adopted.

Website · Post by **tsmall07** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:08 pm

The best option is to remove the body lift.

Sounds like you were running your drill WAY too fast if you used that many bits before. I'd probably use a torch unless it's stainless.