Butt pad installation – cutting clean holes for mounting screws

[shoen1200]

I hope that you guys can lend a hand to a non-gunsmith.
In the past I must have just been lucky.
I have successfully ground to fit butt pads using a home made jig for correct angles and ease of grinding.
I made sure that the replacement pads I have ordered were listed as already having correctly spaced mounting holes for my specific application.
I was surprised by the last one I ordered which is a Pachmayer F350 for a shotgun application
This pad does have holes in the bottom plate but not all the way through the rubber pad.
I have looked through Brownells and Midway but no specific bit/tool jumps out at me.
I am pretty sure a regular drill bit will leave a ragged hole in the rubber.
What should be used to cut a clean hole to pass the screw and screw head through and where can I get that tool?
Please let me know.
Thanks.

 

[emmie]

take a old phillips screwdriver and cut off about 3-4". sharpen the fluttes
put in the hole of pad and hit with hammer. if you have drill press,it goes in chuck and pull down. DO NOT TURN ON POWER.
if you set all this on soft wood,the point of bit will come through the pad,
and your done.
emmie

 

[rcmodel]

You don't cut holes in the outside rubber.
All that will do is pack full of mud & moisture when you set the gun down, and cause the screws to rust.

1. Push a screw or punch through the hole from the back until the outside rubber pushed out, and mark the location.
2. Use a sharp X-Acto knife and cut a slit over each hole.
3. Use liquid soap or silicone grease on the screws & screwdriver, push the screw heads through the slit.
4. Tighten both screws.
5. Clean off the soap or grease.

Once finished, the slits in the rubber will close up and be nearly invisible.

rc

 

[kimbernut]

Bingo, RC

RC has given you words of wisdom to live by. Grease the new screws before installation and be sure to grease the shaft and flutes of any screwdriver entering the slits to remove or tighten the pad and the slits will not get chewed up.

 

[natman]

You don't cut holes in the outside rubber.
All that will do is pack full of mud & moisture when you set the gun down, and cause the screws to rust.

1. Push a screw or punch through the hole from the back until the outside rubber pushed out, and mark the location.
2. Use a sharp X-Acto knife and cut a slit over each hole.
3. Use liquid soap or silicone grease on the screws & screwdriver, push the screw heads through the slit.
4. Tighten both screws.
5. Clean off the soap or grease.

Once finished, the slits in the rubber will close up and be nearly invisible.

rc

Excellent advice. One fine point: use a screwdriver with a round shank.

 

[shoen1200]

Thanks for all the advice.
The job turned out very nice.
Thanks again.