How to enlarge an existing hole
Issue 36 : May/Jun 2004
How do you enlarge an existing hole — whether for a through-hull fitting, a finger hole in a drawer, or plumbing to go through a bulkhead — without drilling the new hole off-center? For a clean, accurate cut, the center bit of your hole saw or spade bit must have solid wood or fiberglass to drill into. The solution? Push a tapered bung into the hole. Gently tap it firm with a hammer, making sure it’s square. Saw off the excess bung nearly parallel to your work surface, leaving approximately 1⁄4 inch proud. (If you cut it flush, it may push right through the hole when you start to drill; with 1⁄4 inch raised above the surface it will only tighten.) Mark the center point of the bung, then drill out your new hole.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
