D-Cutting a stock plate tonight... tips?

EvanB85

Team Poseur
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
I'm going to D-Cut a stock rideplate tonight (you know, one of those pretty green ones.)

I've got to run by the hardware store anyway, so I'm picking up a crapload of Dremel bits. Is any specific bit or disk best suited for cast aluminum?
 

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
Maybe I'm just a hack....but it's really not that technically challenging to cut some thin aluminum from a rideplate.

I was too lazy to dig out anything else, so I used my old standby, the dremel.
 

Crab

thanks darin...noswad!
Location
Seattle
Evan, don't do it for this ride, your boat will be fine the way it is. When you make a drastic change in handling, you need time to adjust and thats no place to adjust!
 

EvanB85

Team Poseur
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
Maybe I'm just a hack....but it's really not that technically challenging to cut some thin aluminum from a rideplate.

I was too lazy to dig out anything else, so I used my old standby, the dremel.

Oh, believe me, my motto is give me Dremel or give me Death.

This will be a quick and dirty, with maybe a rattlecan job, if I'm feeling spunky.
 

EvanB85

Team Poseur
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
Evan, don't do it for this ride, your boat will be fine the way it is. When you make a drastic change in handling, you need time to adjust and thats no place to adjust!

Crab, no worries. I already have an XFT D cut plate, and I love the handling, even on the flat stuff, and I'm comfortable with it.

I've got an extra stocker laying around and figured I could run that this weekend.
 

oxnard111

Creative RE Purchasing
It took me a while but I just used a dremel also, just with a standard cut off disc. It took about 6-7 disc's, but it worked out pretty well. Then used the drum sander to smooth out the edges. Didn't have jigsaw, other wise I would have used one.
 

EvanB85

Team Poseur
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
It took me a while but I just used a dremel also, just with a standard cut off disc. It took about 6-7 disc's, but it worked out pretty well. Then used the drum sander to smooth out the edges. Didn't have jigsaw, other wise I would have used one.

Going through 6 or 7 disks is what I was hoping to avoid. Not that I care about the disks, it's just a pain to be constantly changing them.

I'll take some pics tonight, we'll see what I come up with.

Thanks all.
 
I used a 6inch hole saw that I got at Home Depot. I cut up a thick protek with it after cutting it flush with a cutting wheel. then we cut Jerry's stock plate and that was pretty much it for that bit. But it got the job done for like $15. Problem is the stock one breaks. I have cut one stock one for myself on the FX1. that broke...and I cut a protek for the fx1 also that I wound up bending to hell from hard landings. Cutting the stockers takes away from the integrity of em.

Next one will be carbon from Blowsion
 

gj_fx1

X-H2
I have cut one stock one for myself on the FX1. that broke... Cutting the stockers takes away from the integrity of em.

The fx1 plate is pretty weak to begin with. I reinforced mine by epoxying aluminum plates between the ribs. (caught it before it cracked all the way).
I think if you D cut it some reinforcement would be a must.


BTW Anyone have a fx1 plate (stock or otherwise) for cheap let me know..
 

EvanB85

Team Poseur
Location
Tacoma, WA, USA
This brings a tear to my eye. :biggthumpup: If you intergrated zip ties and duck tape it would be perfect.

Dude, I bought the super-gigantic bag of zip ties at the 'Depot. I think it was like 4,000 or something. It's may favorite tool, aside from my BFH.

I didn't get to the rideplate last night. I figured re-wiring my trailer was a priority (with LEDs now - which I think look kinda cool.)

I don't think I'll make the cut as deep on the stocker as on my XFT plate. As long as we're on the topic; that XFT plate is very sturdy. I think the fit/finish/build quality were all top-notch. Getting it from Brazil is another story. I think with shipping it came in around $140. A lot for a rideplate, but not the $200 or so from our friends in Oregon. And plus, having a carbon fiber rideplate makes people think I am really good.
 
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