How to measure for accurate hole drilling?

M

michael bozardt

New member
Jan 3, 2007
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Okay, I admit it. I am no good with carpentry or electrical work. In making a cover for the door around the window and for the lower "square" portion,
I am having a helluva time getting holes in the material in the right places to match the holes already drilled in the aluminum door. I had the
material cut by a professional and it fits reasonably well-it's that flexible material from Lowe's that is often used for the headliner. I wanted
something that would not wilt when wet, as in if the door gasket leaks. BTW, it is probably not the best material for this purpose, but it is the best
answer I have so I am going with it.
But I need help in measuring. I have tried different things including making a pattern from used airliner material, but can't get the holes to line
up. Need your help and advice. Thx,
Michael Bozardt mailto:gemrecs

BTW, I have Console Critter cup holders for sale. See ad under "GMC Swap Meet". Photos at Craigslist College Station, TX.
 
Michael,

One way to mark the locations of the holes might be to put double-ended
screws (with points on both ends -- which you'll have to make) at the four
corners. Position the panel carefully and press it into place so that the
screws puncture, or at least mark, the corners. It should be simple to
measure from those to locate the other screw holes. Or use the marking
screws at every location.

​JWIMD,
​
​
Ken H.

> Okay, I admit it. I am no good with carpentry or electrical work. In
> making a cover for the door around the window and for the lower "square"
> portion,
> I am having a helluva time getting holes in the material in the right
> places to match the holes already drilled in the aluminum door. I had the
> material cut by a professional and it fits reasonably well-it's that
> flexible material from Lowe's that is often used for the headliner. I wanted
> something that would not wilt when wet, as in if the door gasket leaks.
> BTW, it is probably not the best material for this purpose, but it is the
> best
> answer I have so I am going with it.
> But I need help in measuring. I have tried different things including
> making a pattern from used airliner material, but can't get the holes to
> line
> up. Need your help and advice. Thx,
> Michael Bozardt mailto:gemrecs
>
> BTW, I have Console Critter cup holders for sale. See ad under "GMC Swap
> Meet". Photos at Craigslist College Station, TX.
>
 
Thank you Ken. I thought of that like why don't they make screws in various sizes like that-all thread like the screw for the air cleaner housing.
 
I put the frp on my door on the inside. It works well. Put a touch of lipstick on the heads of the screws and press the panel in. The back side of
the frp will hold that mark.
--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
 
Any color in particular so he knows what to ask for when going to the store?

I do like the idea. I do not like the idea going to the store to buy it. I do not keep any in stock here.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Ha, the cheapest one she says you can use. Always better to ask first!!!

If all else fails, something in the shade of Mobil 1 grease.

--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
 
You guys are skating on thin ice, here. (Grin) Are you trying to get in
touch with your feminine side? Lipstick? Come on. There must be another
marker available.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> Ha, the cheapest one she says you can use. Always better to ask first!!!
>
> If all else fails, something in the shade of Mobil 1 grease.
>
>
> --
> 77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson
> carb and dizzy.
> Mid Michigan
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> Real men use grease pencils.
>
> JP

Do grease pencils come in Mobil One Red?

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
I've used a dab of toothpaste to mark things like this. Just thought of an old saying "a little dab a do ya" from a Brillcream TV commercial I
believe. Who remembers that?
Skip Hartline.
 
On softer materials I use doweling. Sharpen the doweling in a pencil sharpener (one of those pre computer gadgets with the crank handle). A dab of
stamp pad ink on the point will leave an exact mark.

Another one of my tricks is to cut off a piece of one of those stick erasers (I keep several diameters around) put it in the hole and again use a
stamp pad refill bottle to apply ink.

If you really need an accurate mark cut off a piece of all-thread or just the threads on a screw. Take your bench HFT drill press and drill down the
center of the threaded shaft just big enough to put a small finishing nail in the hole, (hot glue may be required). A tap with a plastic or rubber
hammer will leave a nice dimple to start drilling at.

One more thing - Patience.
 
I actually have several sets of "transfers". Some for plain holes in wood - as these are rarely tapped. Another is a box of sharp pointed screws
that I seem to misplace regularly. I did have them when I put the new cover on the door, but I didn't have enough for all two dozen screws at once.
So I elected to do the top first. And I didn't notice that the plastic had slipped......
So, I drilled all the holes right on the mark only to find that the panel didn't with the screws in place.
That is why you can see the double holes in the top edge.
I'll either cover the panel or make a new one when I have nothing else to do for the house, cars, yard and coach.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Larry Hopkins:
Hey Man - would you be interested in joining the GMC 6 Wheelers? We do 6 rally's per yr from May thru Oct. Our area is a 200 mile range from Chicago - most members are from IL. & Ind. We are a small club - about 34 paid members and usually 8 to 12 coaches per rally.
$10.00 membership fee per yr - best deal in town!!!
Thanks for your response.
Mike Kelley
GMC 6 Wheeler President
Also known as "The Corvair a holic"

Sent from my iPhone

>
> I actually have several sets of "transfers". Some for plain holes in wood - as these are rarely tapped. Another is a box of sharp pointed screws
> that I seem to misplace regularly. I did have them when I put the new cover on the door, but I didn't have enough for all two dozen screws at once.
> So I elected to do the top first. And I didn't notice that the plastic had slipped......
> So, I drilled all the holes right on the mark only to find that the panel didn't with the screws in place.
> That is why you can see the double holes in the top edge.
> I'll either cover the panel or make a new one when I have nothing else to do for the house, cars, yard and coach.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I like the dowel idea-if I can find dowels small enough. Maybe at a model aircraft shop. Easier to cut and insert than cutting off sheet metal screw
heads.
I have posted this question because I experimented on another GMC first and missed the screw holes. I fill them on the FRP with silicone before
painting. Doesn't look too bad but I know it's there.
 
Or you can use som cheap 1/8" plywood and make a template with that. Get
close and move the holes as needed to install then mark them well when
installed to have a template for the real panel.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> I like the dowel idea-if I can find dowels small enough. Maybe at a model
> aircraft shop. Easier to cut and insert than cutting off sheet metal screw
> heads.
> I have posted this question because I experimented on another GMC first
> and missed the screw holes. I fill them on the FRP with silicone before
> painting. Doesn't look too bad but I know it's there.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
AH-SO, I am trying dowels but takes much time to whittle down to size. Good news is if works, I can use them on lower panel as well.
 
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