Go to the site below.
This is a brand new cut pile carpet especially made for Vanagon / Westy.
It has never been used, just unrolled two times or so.
Asking el cheapo price of $40.00
Sells new for around $100.00 + Delivery.
The color you see is very close to the actual color.
www.engineceramics.com/vw/vanmat1.jpg

Stan Wilder

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Oda" <craigoda@gmail.com>
To: "Stan Wilder" <wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: drilling through sheet metal?

> Stan and others.  This might be the source of the problem.  The bits
> are "cobalt" bits, but may be poor quality.  Also, I used WD40 as the
> lubricant when I first tried the it on the chrome-plated bumper.  It's
> possible that the bit lost it's edge.  Also, I was trying to drill at
> a high speed.  Maybe a slower speed might work better.
>
> Thanks.
>
> BTW, I'm pretty pumped to try out my new surf racks tomorrow.  I'm
> taking the van and the family to Santa Cruz tomorrow.   The van is
> much more beach-worthy after I ripped out the carpet in the main cabin
> and installed vinyl tiles.  See below:
>
> http://www.oda.bz/~craigoda/vanagon/img/van-floor-small.jpg
>
>
>
> -- Craig
>
> On Fri, 14 May 2004 16:09:43 -0500, Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> > Sounds like you got Chinese Drill bits.
> > Sometimes bumpers are heat treated and require a quality sharp drill bit
and
> > a little light weight oil to get started.
> > Might also start with a smaller 1/8" bit as a pilot and then go to the
1/4"
> > bit.
> > If you think that bumper is tough you need to try some good quality
> > stainless steel, saliva is the best lubricant on stainless.
> >
> > Stan Wilder
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Craig Oda" <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 2:43 PM
> > Subject: drilling through sheet metal?
> >
> > > Is it possible to drill through sheet metal with a hand drill?  I have
> > > cobalt bits and a standard Sears drill.
> > >
> > > My front license plate fell off and the screw that kept it on the
> > > front bumper snapped off.  I want to drill another hole into the front
> > > bumper to mount the license plate properly.  I tried to drill a hole
> > > into the front bumper for about 30 minutes and could not.
> > >
> > > I've also tried to drill a hole into the pillar where the fire
> > > extinguisher is attached to.  I haven't had any luck here either.
> > >
> > > Are there any special techniques?  Or, do I need special tools?
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > BTW, I also appreciate all the feedback I got about my surf racks for
> > > the Westy.  In a strange coincidence, the guy that sold me the long
> > > board had a set of Yakima gutter-mount racks for sale.  Thanks to
> > > people on this list, I knew about the side-mount fake gutters for
> > > Yakima.  So, I bought the surf racks from the guy and mounted the
> > > racks pretty easily with some parts I picked up from the local REI.
> >