Drilling hole in dash for depthsounder

[frankthomas]

I was given an in dash humminbird in dash depthsounder. The wiring is straight forward but drilling the hole in the pristine dash of my cherry 1989 Celebrity 182se is making me nervous. It’s a plastic sheet of some sort over 3/4 inch plywood. There is plenty of room on the face and behind but I’m not sure of the right tool or technique. Is it a simple hole saw on a drill motor? Mask the area with tape first? It’s calling for a 2 1/8th inch hole. Thanks for any advice.

 

[tpenfield]

Yes, you are on the right track.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the hole size is standard, so when the hummingbird dies, you can replace it with another depth gauge

 

[poconojoe]

Yep, you got it right...use a good sharp hole saw and mask it off to help reduce splintering. When you start it, go easy, nice and slow. Keep it steady and straight. No big deal....you'll see.

 

[frankthomas]

Thanks guys. Will tackle it tonight.

 

[alldodge]

Others have answered but having plastic over wood
After the center bit goes in, you can reverse the drill to go thru the plastic and into the front surface of the wood. Once in the wood, go forward and finish, helps keep some of the possibilities of splintering