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Thread: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

  1. #46

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    It sure sounds like water and if it is you should find and fix the leak first.
    A few pictures of your filler cap, breather, skin fittings top & bottom & plumbing to the tank would help a lot.

  2. #47
    Ausfish Gold Member 552Evo's Avatar
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    Jul 2016
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    Melbourne
    Thread Starter

    Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Ok so back on track to the helm switch panel , I’ve received my panel of choice and I want to enlarge the existing cutout in the dash/helm.
    What’s the best, cleanest(no big paint chips and no burn marks) way to cut the straight edges out ?
    Is a jigsaw on slow speed with a fine blade a good idea or nah ?

    The helm/dash is fibreglass.


    Saltwater fishing, boat mad but has a job that gets in the way.

  3. #48

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    cut slightly smaller than you need (below the line) then dremmel out and file (if you want to be crazy accurate and anal

    otherwise fine tooth blade on an airtool.

    Marine outfitting solutions
    www.moosemarine.com.au

  4. #49

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    I use a dremel with a grout removal bit on high speed - does a very neat job BUT can get out of control seriously quickly if it gets away from you - have a practise first if you go this way. Jigsaws will cut but because they cut on the up stroke, they have a natural tendency to chip gelcoat as will a file if you run it both ways with heavy pressure. I usually mask up to the cut line on the outside of the line which will help in minimising gelcoat edge damage and protect the surrounding area. Multi -tools also have a selection of blades that will work. As Moose has suggested, cutting inside the line and then sanding your way to the edge with either a dremel or multi-tool will provide the cleanest job with the least risk. Regardless of what method you go with don't force the cut - high speed on the blade motion but low speed on the movement of the tool gives the best results IMO.

  5. #50

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    I've used a multi tool with the semi circular plade with success, clean up with a dremel if needed. Doesn't chip the fibreglass

  6. #51

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    I had to enlarge the hole in my dash to fit a new steering helm in, I used a gyprock saw.
    What a weapon, it went through the glass/timber/glass lamination like a hot knife through butter.

    If you're not experienced with a jigsaw evo I wouldn't start learning on the dash.

  7. #52
    Ausfish Gold Member 552Evo's Avatar
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    Melbourne
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    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Thanks all.
    Funnily enough I've got a multi tool but rarely used it. Purchased for one job. How would I use it to enter the cutout, just line up the cutout and push in ? Do they have different blades for different jobs ?
    I used a jigsaw to cut out the mfd hole so I'm confident using that.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  8. #53
    Ausfish Gold Member 552Evo's Avatar
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    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Ended up just using the jigsaw with a fine blade and masked up the area.
    Job done I’m happy.
    Just going to wire it up and stick on the labels now.





    Saltwater fishing, boat mad but has a job that gets in the way.

  9. #54

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Quote Originally Posted by 552Evo View Post
    Thanks all.
    Funnily enough I've got a multi tool but rarely used it. Purchased for one job. How would I use it to enter the cutout, just line up the cutout and push in ? Do they have different blades for different jobs ?
    I used a jigsaw to cut out the mfd hole so I'm confident using that.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Sorry mate but yes that's the way, I'm OS and limited Internet.

  10. #55
    Ausfish Gold Member 552Evo's Avatar
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    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    No worries at all. Enjoy your time


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  11. #56
    Free Membership Dirtyfuzz's Avatar
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    Sunshine Coast

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Finally got around to making the switch panel, a bit prettier than the original, think it was just an old circuit breaker box out of a house


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Mercury 115ct going strong😁

  12. #57
    Ausfish Gold Member 552Evo's Avatar
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    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    Good work. So the old circuit breaker box is what you made the black escutcheon plate from ?
    What sort of material is it ?


    Saltwater fishing, boat mad but has a job that gets in the way.

  13. #58
    Free Membership Dirtyfuzz's Avatar
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    Apr 2016
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    Sunshine Coast

    Re: Helm-dash Switch Panel upgrade

    The plate is just a 3mm carbon fibre panel I bought on eBay and just wired all the switches via a blue seas fuse block, I’m not a fan of circuit breakers personally, I prefer fuses!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Mercury 115ct going strong😁

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