Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

Is there a way to drill on carpet instead of cutting out small piece where hole will be for safety belts. Ford came with holes because it was optional but you still have to make hole in carpet for bolt to go through.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

Here's a video that shows how to do it. Really easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpufNiXvQgU

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I use a cheap soldering iron to melt any necessary holes through carpet- no chance of creating a run, prevents the screws/bolts from pulling the yarn, too.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I use a gasket hole cutter but the hole has to be marked with chalk and use a wood block on a hard surface to back it up. Sharpened steel tubing of the proper diameter will also work as a cutter.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I do the same as datac. I use a soldering iron. It seals the thread while it makes the hole.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I do what the guy in the video does except I don't have any cheap sockets! Instead I use a short piece of copper tubing according to the bolt size. Also doesn't mess up my soldering iron.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

What I have done in the past for #6 - #8 finishing screws thru the carpet, is to go underneath first and poke a needle thru the carpet in the center of the hole. Then get a Prestolite torch and heat up the tip of a 16D nail (while holding the nail with a pair of pliers, then push the needle thru the carpet on the topside and melt the nylon carpeting with the nail-head.
But for larger holes, (I suspect you might need a 1/4" or 5/16" hole for the seat belt), you could use same procedure as above except use a tapered center-punch instead of a 16D nail.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

That's what disposable $1.99 Harbor Freight soldering irons are for- no way I'd use one of my good irons.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I use 1/4 " p1pe and heat it with torch and it will melt through and leave a smooth neat hole.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

Slick and easy solution to an age-old problem. Thanks for the tip.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

A tapered punch and a hammer works for me. Just drive the punch through the carpet and floor pan until the desired hole size in the floor pan is obtained. Ted Eaton.

Re: Drilling on carpet for safety belts
 

I like the soldering iron idea because it will make a neat hole.