The Ford Barn

Lawson Cox · 10-09-2011, 04:24 PM

I need to cut 4 nice round holes, maybe 3/8" in a rubber mat I have in the bed on my 35 Pickup. I need to tie down a trunk, but do not want to cut holes in the trunk or the bed, so I am using existing holes in bed floor and using tie down straps. I am thinking of using a hole punch, sort of like you would punch holes in a belt, but a larger hole of course. The mat is almost 1/4 inch thick, so that is going to take some doing. Thinking also about chucking up the 1/4" hole punch in a drill and trying it that way, but have some misgivings about that method. Of course, just drilling it wouldn't work very well either. Looking for other suggestions to make nice smooth hole in the mat. Need to cut 4 holes all together. All suggestions welcome. Thanks. Lawson

Ken/Alabama · 10-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Wouldnt a hollow punch work and back it with a block of wood.

Brendan · 10-09-2011, 04:33 PM

how about using a piece of pipe and hitting with a hammer, and putting a block of wood behind the mat

ken ct · 10-09-2011, 04:43 PM

All good answers. I use an "ARCH PUNCH" is what they are called in your appropiate size. Get McMaster or a Grainger web site and go looking. Backing up with the mentioned. Thats how i cut nice round holes in my radiator hoses for heater connections. Google them. ken ct. I would think you were sharper than that Lawson,do you have your thinking cap on??? LOL,LOL. ken ct.

JT FORD · 10-09-2011, 04:44 PM

Use a 38 caliber spend casing and put a block under it and hit it with a hammer. May take more than one to do all the holes.

Henry/Kokomo · 10-09-2011, 04:50 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you can find a piece of steel tubing of the proper diameter, you can sharpen the circumferential edge and use it like an arch punch. Have used this method with good results. Good luck.

jerry grayson · 10-09-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I need to cut 4 nice round holes, maybe 3/8" in a rubber mat I have in the bed on my 35 Pickup. I need to tie down a trunk, but do not want to cut holes in the trunk or the bed, so I am using existing holes in bed floor and using tie down straps. I am thinking of using a hole punch, sort of like you would punch holes in a belt, but a larger hole of course. The mat is almost 1/4 inch thick, so that is going to take some doing. Thinking also about chucking up the 1/4" hole punch in a drill and trying it that way, but have some misgivings about that method. Of course, just drilling it wouldn't work very well either. Looking for other suggestions to make nice smooth hole in the mat. Need to cut 4 holes all together. All suggestions welcome. Thanks. Lawson

Lawson go the the hardware store and buy a Forstner bit of the correct size. You can cut a perfect hole with it.

peewee2you · 10-09-2011, 05:01 PM

There are these fabric/craft stores, like JoAnnes and Michaels in California,
where I had to make similar size holes in thick card board, they sell these metal tube cylinders specifically for cutting various materials that are chamferred on one end and are razor sharp, looks almost like a hollow punch, and you hold it in place with your hand like a nail and whack it with a hammer a few times till it cuts all the way. I was glad I asked a clerk and explained what I was trying to do, it worked out great, and the cutter was cheap, not more than $7.

Clem Clement · 10-09-2011, 05:29 PM

Lawson: you gots a 45? Blast 'em

RPM · 10-09-2011, 05:29 PM

I agree with Henry in Kokomo. I use a steel pipe of appropriate size, chamfer the edge, and smack it with a BFH using an oak block for the backer. Works slick, costs pennies and saves a trip to the store. RPM

Lawson Cox · 10-09-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry grayson

Lawson go the the hardware store and buy a Forstner bit of the correct size. You can cut a perfect hole with it.

I don't think that would work in rubber Jerry, unless it was pretty darned brittle. Brittle rubber, not brittle bit. lol

jerry grayson · 10-09-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I don't think that would work in rubber Jerry, unless it was pretty darned brittle. Brittle rubber, not brittle bit. lol

I have done it. Next time I see you I will show you.

Barlea · 10-09-2011, 06:09 PM

The whole set of gasket punches is fairly inexpensive, they will do a good job on thick rubber, I have used them when making Jeep body mounts. ..B.

Kurt in NJ · 10-09-2011, 06:18 PM

The steel pipe method works fine, when I was working on golf carts I made thousands of washers for the battery holdowns with a sharpened pipe fitting for the large dia, and a gasket hole punch for the small dia ---in 1/4" thick scraps of mat

51 MERC-CT · 10-09-2011, 06:29 PM

Hollow punch set from Harbor freight.
See here----

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...-set-3838.html

JM 35 Sedan · 10-09-2011, 07:09 PM

I use a Gasket Punch Set #1270 that I bought from General Hardware Mfg. Co. Inc., New York, NY 10013
The punches look something like sockets that are very sharp at one end and have a hole at the other end to mount a handle that can be struck on the end with a hammer. The punch sizes range from 1/4" to 1". Sometimes when I punch thick rubber I set up these punches to work in my hydraulic press. If I'm punching large holes or large gaskets, I make a punch from a section of pipe and mount that cutter in my hydraulic press. Whenever I use these punches I always back up the material being punched with wood.

Lawson Cox · 10-09-2011, 08:27 PM

Thanks for your input fellows. I am leaning toward the hole punch or hollow punch idea. I have done that before, just looking for input from others. Trying to get some better way if it is out there, I will need to sharpen up my hole punches though, or use a bigger hammer. LOL

Steel 35 · 10-09-2011, 08:44 PM

I get by using hole saws at times, big hammers make my fingers hurt

JM 35 Sedan · 10-09-2011, 09:10 PM

I've also used hole saws to make some rubber pads about the size of hockey pucks. I cut these in my basement shop on a drill press and the smoke that it made filled the entire house with the smell of burning rubber. The little wife was real happy about that

...Not!

Firepower flyer · 10-09-2011, 11:42 PM

Hole saw or 4" exhuast pipe,file the leading edge sharp and place a block of wood under the mat and maybe a piece on top of the pipe and hit with a big mallet.Or if you want to stink up the shop get the end of the pipe cherry red and it will melt right thru like butter with a nice clean hole.
Joe

10-09-2011, 04:30 PM	#2
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,257	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Wouldnt a hollow punch work and back it with a block of wood.

10-09-2011, 04:33 PM	#3
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat how about using a piece of pipe and hitting with a hammer, and putting a block of wood behind the mat __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

10-09-2011, 04:43 PM	#4
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat All good answers. I use an "ARCH PUNCH" is what they are called in your appropiate size. Get McMaster or a Grainger web site and go looking. Backing up with the mentioned. Thats how i cut nice round holes in my radiator hoses for heater connections. Google them. ken ct. I would think you were sharper than that Lawson,do you have your thinking cap on??? LOL,LOL. ken ct.

10-09-2011, 04:44 PM	#5
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Use a 38 caliber spend casing and put a block under it and hit it with a hammer. May take more than one to do all the holes.

10-09-2011, 04:50 PM	#6
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you can find a piece of steel tubing of the proper diameter, you can sharpen the circumferential edge and use it like an arch punch. Have used this method with good results. Good luck.

10-09-2011, 04:24 PM	#1
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat I need to cut 4 nice round holes, maybe 3/8" in a rubber mat I have in the bed on my 35 Pickup. I need to tie down a trunk, but do not want to cut holes in the trunk or the bed, so I am using existing holes in bed floor and using tie down straps. I am thinking of using a hole punch, sort of like you would punch holes in a belt, but a larger hole of course. The mat is almost 1/4 inch thick, so that is going to take some doing. Thinking also about chucking up the 1/4" hole punch in a drill and trying it that way, but have some misgivings about that method. Of course, just drilling it wouldn't work very well either. Looking for other suggestions to make nice smooth hole in the mat. Need to cut 4 holes all together. All suggestions welcome. Thanks. Lawson Last edited by Lawson Cox; 10-09-2011 at 05:55 PM.

10-09-2011, 05:01 PM	#8
peewee2you Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 663	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat There are these fabric/craft stores, like JoAnnes and Michaels in California, where I had to make similar size holes in thick card board, they sell these metal tube cylinders specifically for cutting various materials that are chamferred on one end and are razor sharp, looks almost like a hollow punch, and you hold it in place with your hand like a nail and whack it with a hammer a few times till it cuts all the way. I was glad I asked a clerk and explained what I was trying to do, it worked out great, and the cutter was cheap, not more than $7.

10-09-2011, 05:29 PM	#9
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,393	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Lawson: you gots a 45? Blast 'em

10-09-2011, 05:29 PM	#10
RPM Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 410	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat I agree with Henry in Kokomo. I use a steel pipe of appropriate size, chamfer the edge, and smack it with a BFH using an oak block for the backer. Works slick, costs pennies and saves a trip to the store. RPM

10-09-2011, 06:09 PM	#13
Barlea Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Central Alberta Posts: 441	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat The whole set of gasket punches is fairly inexpensive, they will do a good job on thick rubber, I have used them when making Jeep body mounts. ..B.

10-09-2011, 06:18 PM	#14
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,156	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat The steel pipe method works fine, when I was working on golf carts I made thousands of washers for the battery holdowns with a sharpened pipe fitting for the large dia, and a gasket hole punch for the small dia ---in 1/4" thick scraps of mat

10-09-2011, 06:29 PM	#15
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Hollow punch set from Harbor freight. See here---- http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...-set-3838.html

10-09-2011, 07:09 PM	#16
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat I use a Gasket Punch Set #1270 that I bought from General Hardware Mfg. Co. Inc., New York, NY 10013 The punches look something like sockets that are very sharp at one end and have a hole at the other end to mount a handle that can be struck on the end with a hammer. The punch sizes range from 1/4" to 1". Sometimes when I punch thick rubber I set up these punches to work in my hydraulic press. If I'm punching large holes or large gaskets, I make a punch from a section of pipe and mount that cutter in my hydraulic press. Whenever I use these punches I always back up the material being punched with wood. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

10-09-2011, 08:27 PM	#17
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Thanks for your input fellows. I am leaning toward the hole punch or hollow punch idea. I have done that before, just looking for input from others. Trying to get some better way if it is out there, I will need to sharpen up my hole punches though, or use a bigger hammer. LOL

10-09-2011, 08:44 PM	#18
Steel 35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern OR. Posts: 222	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat I get by using hole saws at times, big hammers make my fingers hurt

10-09-2011, 09:10 PM	#19
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat I've also used hole saws to make some rubber pads about the size of hockey pucks. I cut these in my basement shop on a drill press and the smoke that it made filled the entire house with the smell of burning rubber. The little wife was real happy about that ...Not! __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

10-09-2011, 11:42 PM	#20
Firepower flyer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Berlin,Wi Posts: 228	Re: How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat Hole saw or 4" exhuast pipe,file the leading edge sharp and place a block of wood under the mat and maybe a piece on top of the pipe and hit with a big mallet.Or if you want to stink up the shop get the end of the pipe cherry red and it will melt right thru like butter with a nice clean hole. Joe