A good bi-metal hole saw should cut through this OK, though you might want
to also invest in a right angle drive if you're going to try and cut the
hole from the top.  In order to deal with the uneven surfaces you might try
first cutting the hole through a piece of 2" x 4" and then positioning the
piece - suitably anchored or wedged - over the spot you want to cut the hole
in the floor.  The existing hole in the 2" x 4" might give you the proper
support as you're biting into the uneven surfaces.
---------------------------------------------------
Tom Young
Lafayette, CA 94549
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Masar" <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 10:01 AM
Subject: cutting hole in van floor

> I need to cut a 50mm (slightly less than 2") hole in the floor of my '90
Westy to
> install a gas furnace. It will be in the back corner of the small
compartment to the
> left of the fridge. I looked at holesaws yesterday, and besides being
expensive to buy
> one for just this job, I am wondering how well they would work on the
uneven, ribbed
> surface of the van floor. And the hole will come out 1/8" away from the
main side
> beam.
> Any hints, tips, suggestions on how to do this?
> Thanks
> Jerry