How to drill 2" hole in chrome bumper.

[muddstopper]

I have used many spray oils for drilling and cutting. Best stuff I ever found is https://www.grainger.com/product/LPS-Multipurpose-Lubricant-WP6485608/_/N-1z0dynm?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/6Y743_AS01?$smthumb$ Works great on bandsws and hole saws. I have used wd40, pbblaster, 3inone, motor oil, dextron and anything else when in a pinch, but a few years ago, I finally proved to myself that a real cutting oil is the only way to go I was drilling some 2 1/2in holes in some 3/4 plate in my drill press, at the same time, I was cutting some more 3/4 plate in the bandsaw. I had pb blaster at the drill and the Northerntool brand of cutting oil at the band saw. While switching between sawing and drilling, I carried the cutting oil over to the drill so I used it for the next hole. Immediant difference in how well the holesaw ran and cut. So I took the pbblaster and sprayed my bandsw blade and it was immediant a big difference in slowing down the band saw. I had several holes to drill and a bunch more sawing also so I swapped back and forth the oils and proved to myself, cutting oil is the only way to go. I bought one of those squirt cans and buy the cutting oil by the quart now and is all I use if I have to drill or saw. Blades and holesaws last longer, run cooler and cut better. I save the wd40 for squeaky hinges and pb blaster for rusty bolts.

 

[comancheflight]

Totally agree with Ford850. Just drill it with bi metal. For my cabinet shop we save money by drilling circular saw blades to 1.5" arbor for gang rip saws...cuts like butter for many blades.

 

[ray66v]

Cutting the whole is not the problem.

The rust that will result from the bare metal edge you are creating, will be the problem.

There are lots of things you can do, to try and stop it from rusting. But, it's a really bad idea to drill a hole in a chrome bumper.

If you don't care about that, because it's old, you have it made.

 

[Soundguy]

Cutting the whole is not the problem.

The rust that will result from the bare metal edge you are creating, will be the problem.

There are lots of things you can do, to try and stop it from rusting. But, it's a really bad idea to drill a hole in a chrome bumper.

If you don't care about that, because it's old, you have it made.

Not all chrome bumpers are still chromed on the backside.

I was under my new van ( 2014 ) wiring it for a backup camera.. the back of the bumper does have chrome around the edge.. but not a full job all the way.

 

[Soundguy]

Assuming it's a vertical surface the oil may have a little trouble sticking around?

Use a continuous water spray to keep it cool.

Thread cutting oil is pretty sticky like chainsaw bar oil. it should make it for the cut, even if he has to apply a lil more during.

 

[N80]

The back of the bumper is not chromed as far as I can tell. I'll paint the raw metal edge with something but again, it is 14 years old and looks like it is 20 years old so I'm not too worried about it.

I also cannot think of another solution for getting this thing out of the way.

Last week I was headed to the track early in the morning and some doofus in front of me threw a full beer can out the window (who throws away a full can of beer?!?!?). It bounced underneath my truck and I saw the trailer brakes go off. The can had struck this bracket and pulled a wire loose. I pushed it back in and everything is fine but I'm tired of this poorly designed (OEM!!!) thing getting damaged.

 

[bigtiller]

What a duffus, Classy people throw their beers into the ditch. :drink:

 

[N80]

Us classy people drink it first, then throw the can in the ditch. Off topic rant: My place in the country is on a long, narrow country road that gets little traffic and yet the road is lined with Bud Light cans. I know the neighbors; it isn't them. So now, to me, I think drinking Bud Light says something about a person. No offense to upstanding Bud Light drinkers.....except for ...YUCK....drink something better for goodness sake.

 

[Gunny]

Not wanting to drift the thread, but from the trash thrown in front of my property, Mountain Dew drinkers are the worst for slinging stuff alongside the road, about 4 to 1 over beer drinkers.

 

[N80]

Not wanting to drift the thread, but from the trash thrown in front of my property, Mountain Dew drinkers are the worst for slinging stuff alongside the road, about 4 to 1 over beer drinkers.

Yep. And there is a Wendy's on the interstate about 5 miles away. There are often Wendy's bags. I figure it takes this someone about 5 miles to eat and then he/she/it throws the trash out the window. I'd love to see he/she/it do it. Accidents do happen.

 

[Egon]

I can't afford to throw away beer bottles/cans.

 

[flyerdan]

If you passed a cop car and saw its brake lights come on as he was prepping to whip around after you, you'd probably scuttle anything in the car that could earn you a trip downtown, hence the full can salvo, perhaps.

Agree on the hole saw, best way to go. I'd clean up the burrs with a flap sander in a dremel tool and touch up the raw edges with some spray galv. In an area like that where I don't want overspray on everything, I spray some in the cap and use one of those HF artist brushes to apply it.
I always clean up sharps on things like that because it will bite you later, when you work on it.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I see your from South Carolina. Do you get snow in that area? Does the department of highways use salt on the roads?

I was having troubles with salt in my outlets mounted in the bumper. Mine are now all mounted in the box and I use an extension cord to hook up my trailers. The next truck I do will have the outlet mounted on a built in extension cord that I just coil up and store on a hook on the inner fender. It's been about seven years now with the outlets mounted in the box and no issues with salt corrosion. Just a suggestion.

 

[N80]

Salt is not much of a problem here fortunately. One of the bigger problems I get is tiny spiders getting in the slots in the trailer side plug building webs and putting all kinds of garbage in there. I've had to blow out all the smutz a number of times when the lights and such weren't working. I've never understood why the trailer plug does not come with some sort of cap. The truck side receptacle has a hinged cap. I've searched the internet and have not found any sort of cover for the trailer plug. Go figure.

 

[jenkinsph]

Salt is not much of a problem here fortunately. One of the bigger problems I get is tiny spiders getting in the slots in the trailer side plug building webs and putting all kinds of garbage in there. I've had to blow out all the smutz a number of times when the lights and such weren't working. I've never understood why the trailer plug does not come with some sort of cap. The truck side receptacle has a hinged cap. I've searched the internet and have not found any sort of cover for the trailer plug. Go figure.

If you have that much trouble with spiders or any other debris then just get a truck side connector and block any openings. Keep it plugged into this connector when not in use. A cheaper way would be a scrap of black or gray foam pipe insulation sealed up on one end, make your own boot.

 

[bcp]

1 rubber/plastic glove + scissors = 5 plug covers

Bruce

 

[MossRoad]

Salt is not much of a problem here fortunately. One of the bigger problems I get is tiny spiders getting in the slots in the trailer side plug building webs and putting all kinds of garbage in there. I've had to blow out all the smutz a number of times when the lights and such weren't working. I've never understood why the trailer plug does not come with some sort of cap. The truck side receptacle has a hinged cap. I've searched the internet and have not found any sort of cover for the trailer plug. Go figure.

There's a company called Trojan that makes something that would slip right over that.... laugh all you want, but it would work.

Or, try this....

Amazon.com: Fastway (82--3315) 7-Way Trailer Plug Cover: Automotive

 

[Fallon]

Store | Little House Customs & search for CONNECTOR STORAGE BRACKET. It doesn't seal the end of the connector, but does cover it & hold it in a nice caddy that attaches to the jack or another vertical surface. I have one on my travel trailer & it works well.

 

[dickfoster]

There's a company called Trojan that makes something that would slip right over that.... laugh all you want, but it would work.

Or, try this....

Amazon.com: Fastway (82--3315) 7-Way Trailer Plug Cover: Automotive

That works for gun barrels too.

 

[N80]

That works for gun barrels too.

Yes it does. And if you were in the Marines you'd get the double meaning. Hint: Marines carry rifles, not guns. A "gun" is something a Marine is packing but for an altogether different purpose.

Anyway, MossRoad: that's what I've been looking for. My internet search skills are apparently lacking.

I've considered all the homemade solutions. They all work. I'm too lazy.