How to cut nice round holes in rubber mat

[expavr]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

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

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

I used the Harbor Freight 7/16" hollow punch on 3/8" hard rubber material to fabricate body/frame isolators and was very pleased with the results. Nice clean hole.

[BillM]

And note that water is a good cutting fluid for rubber.

[31chevy]

As JM 35 Sedan said, I have used my hydraulic press with harbor freight gasket punch, I have even cut pieces out of tire sidewall when i needed some rubber spacers etc.
Gary.

[Lawson Cox]

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

Used a 3/8 hollow hole punch. Dressed sharp edge a tad, chucked it up in my hand drill and spun it slow a couple of times for each hole. Of course I had it backed up with a block of wood. PERFECT.

Thanks again fellows.