How to drill holes for square switch?

tomx20

Member
Aug 17, 2010
43
Hey guys, new to the forum and this is my first post. I need to wire up some grille lights to a switch inside my car. The switches I have are square though, and I don't know what to use to make a square hole.


Switch looks like this: http://tinypic.com/r/9srm0h/4


Help me out! Thanks in advance! -Tom
 

ncranchero

Member
May 23, 2010
63
Charlotte NC
Square drill bit??????????? :lol:


Sorry, I couldn't help it! Are you mounting it in plastic or metal? If in metal I use a small hand "nibbler", think I got it off Fleabay.


ai11.photobucket.com_albums_a154_ncranchero_Misc_HandNibbler.jpg


Plastic, drill and file. :evil:
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
Get a drill bit the width of the switch, drill two holes near one another the rough dimensions of the switch, and use an xacto knife to trim up/square the edges.


This method is good for plastic/dash parts.
 

NPS Ranger

Member
May 21, 2010
1,988
Penn's Woods
unlisted said:
Get a drill bit the width of the switch, drill two holes near one another the rough dimensions of the switch, and use an xacto knife to trim up/square the edges.

Or a soldering iron with a cutting tip.


Bear in mind that switches like that are usually meant to be installed in switch panels with rectangular cutouts in them.
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
MMmmmmMMmmm.. soldering iron and smelling/inhaling burning plastic fumes.. no thanks. ;)


Would work.. just.. ya.
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
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hot + plastic = burning (does not have to be flaming to be burning) ;)


Sure it works, just recommend you do it with ventilation. I prefer the drill method thou. IMO.
 

tomx20

Member
Aug 17, 2010
43
The two holes and cutting with a knife sounds good. I'll try it. I'm having trouble mounting grille lights in my 06 Ford Mustang. I have 2 LX4's that I want to mount in the grille. Anyone done an install in the grille area with a 05-09 Mustang???
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
Photo? Also, want it behind or in front of the actual grille?


If mounted in front, get a piece of flat steel about the same dimensions- and some long bolts/nuts.
 

tomx20

Member
Aug 17, 2010
43
unlisted said:
Photo? Also, want it behind or in front of the actual grille?

If mounted in front, get a piece of flat steel about the same dimensions- and some long bolts/nuts.
I want to mount them behind the grille. What makes it difficult is that there are pieces of the frame that almost touch the grille, so it is near impossible to find a mounting location. This is most aparent on the left side. Here are some pictures:


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 0_7599.jpg


LEFT


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 0_7598.jpg


RIGHT


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 0_7596.jpg


LEFT


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 0_7597.jpg


RIGHT


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a330/ ... 0_7595.jpg


CENTER
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
Send the car down my way, I will figure something out.


Maybe some stand off (or long brackets/custom bent metal, etc?)


There is always a way..
 

hitechrednex

Member
Jul 25, 2010
96
Florida
what type of lights are you using by chance?
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
hitechrednex said:
what type of lights are you using by chance?
tomx20 said:
I'm having trouble mounting grille lights in my 06 Ford Mustang. I have 2 LX4's that I want to mount in the grille. Anyone done an install in the grille area with a 05-09 Mustang???
 

hitechrednex

Member
Jul 25, 2010
96
Florida
sorry speed reading and didn't see it.
 

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