Headhunter Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Finally getting to install the 12 inch Simrad on the maverick. The bottom cut is real tight, I have about 3/8 of an inch to the radius where the console slopes. Any suggestions on what type of tool to use to make the cut? I do not have a compressor so it has to be an electric tool. You know its got to be straight! Thanks in advance for the guidance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Headhunter I used a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade, used loads of blue tape to protect console face, trimmed excess with a rotozip, laid templed out on tape drilled holes in corners and went slow. Hope it helps. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Not familiar with the console, but can you cut the bottom from the opposite side? You could drill a couple small holes to locate where to cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Yes sir I have a suggestion. Use an oscillating tool. I have been using a bosh variable speed unit while working on my project. They make a blade that is round on the front and is very easy to start a line and hold it on the line. Obviously I would tape the area off with painters tape first. The oscillating tools are made so that you can turn the blade from straight on to 90 degrees to the side. I have used jig saws and even side grinders with cutting blades. The oscillating tool is the best I have found for the work you want to do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Go to Harbor Freight and get one of these: Air Saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 I have a oscillating saw thought about trying it but went with jig saw instead glad to hear it’s working well, used the air saws before they work as well, don’t believe head hunter has air available, I did have trimming to do due to blade deflection even going slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 The oscillating saws work nice but you must go slow. Corded is better than battery if you have to do a lot. If using jlg saws look into a reverse cutting blade. It will reduce chipping as it cuts on the down stroke. Still need to use tape. When laying out the pattern pay attention to the corner radius and cut them first with a whole saw. This will save a lot of trimming and fit headaches. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Tape good, drill corners first then jigsaw , go slow. Make sure template positioned is correct and level and tape it down good. 😀👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 18 hours ago, Headhunter said: Finally getting to install the 12 inch Simrad on the maverick. The bottom cut is real tight, I have about 3/8 of an inch to the radius where the console slopes. Any suggestions on what type of tool to use to make the cut? I do not have a compressor so it has to be an electric tool. You know its got to be straight! Thanks in advance for the guidance! Can you post a picture of the console? And what you are up against? I agree with the oscillating saws...as well, a Dremel is good for corners but requires a steady hand. DC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINCHASER Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 jig saw works fine.... needs some clearance to work due to its foot print and drill the corners so yo dont have to deal with trying to cut the corners. Cut out a large hole to put in a glove box in my old 20' Pathfinder, I was surprised how thick it was a bit over 1/2". Had to move the switch panel out of the way to get clearance for the jig saw... air saw wouldnt have required that but I didnt have air at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim33042 Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 I have used a metal saw blade before (fine tooth) by handsaw blade and with jigsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 How do you guys hold the oscillating tool? I have one that I used when repairing home hurricane damage, but it is a ‘free hand’ tool’ than seems like it would be tricky to use on a console. I have used an air tool, Dremel and jig saw on a console and find the jig saw is the easiest to hold and guide. Air tool was a bit too aggressive and the Dremel is also a ‘free hand’ tool that is difficult to find something to brace against to use. Maybe I am just doing it wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 The oscillating saw has numerous blades. A large curved blade allows for a decent plunge cut and then it tracks fairly straight as you move slowly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Yes it is free hand but very easy to control and honestly does not tend to want to walk as bad as the jig saw. And as I stated before and has been repeated the round blade allows you to hold the tool in positing while running the cut. And you can rotate the blade to fit the area you are working on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Measure at least twice , cut once. 😎🎣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 Lol I must be getting old I measured multiple times before I cut, the oscillating saw is way easier to handle than a rotozip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted December 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 I was just going to ask about the blade. I found a tool on Amazon for $27 that had good ratings but the blades that came with it were junk. Any suggestions on the blade brand? I was going to head to Lowes tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted December 6, 2023 Report Share Posted December 6, 2023 I do not have a huge experience with blades but the best one I used was a Diablo blade. I bought mine at Home Depot. I have not seen them at my local Lowes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tender Posted December 7, 2023 Report Share Posted December 7, 2023 18 hours ago, NCTribute said: How do you guys hold the oscillating tool? I have one that I used when repairing home hurricane damage, but it is a ‘free hand’ tool’ than seems like it would be tricky to use on a console. I have used an air tool, Dremel and jig saw on a console and find the jig saw is the easiest to hold and guide. Air tool was a bit too aggressive and the Dremel is also a ‘free hand’ tool that is difficult to find something to brace against to use. Maybe I am just doing it wrong. I agree multitool made short work out of cutting the console on my HPX. I made my marks where I needed to cut used the multi tool, best method I found was to not cut the whole depth at once, score it and cut consecutively deeper and deeper until your through or almost through. Made my cuts cleaner and more straight as the blade had a path to follow each pass. Ultimately unless you are significantly off the flange on the GPS will usually cover any slight errors. Don't over think it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted December 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2023 Thanks for taking the time to give me some tips on this. I truly believe that this is what this forum is about. No BS, just owners wanting to help other owners. I made my cuts today and they came out great! The 12 inch Simrad was a shoe horn because the 9 inch machine was offset and I lost some height at the edge of the console but it all worked. The oscillating saw was a game changer. Easy to use and easy to keep straight. As stated before blades are the key and while I didn't get that part right the cut came out fine. The pictures are showing just a dry fit. I have wiring to do, sun shield to trim and mounting holes to drill but the messy part is done. I also added air vents on each side of the console made from TH Marine deck drains that I super glued screening too so critters could not get in. The Simrad installation book even talked about the need for ventilation around the unit to keep it cool. First time I ever read the directions! Tight lines, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flybye Posted December 15, 2023 Report Share Posted December 15, 2023 Looks awesome! Guess mines next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Crato Posted December 15, 2023 Report Share Posted December 15, 2023 Looks great Chuck! All the nerve racking stress is worth that 12” screen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorkDork Posted December 16, 2023 Report Share Posted December 16, 2023 Beautiful work Chuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted December 16, 2023 Report Share Posted December 16, 2023 Lookin good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted December 16, 2023 Report Share Posted December 16, 2023 I'm going to have to get myself an oscillating tool. That looks much easier to use than my pneumatic saw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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