Note: Please be as specific as possible: Whats the problem or issue, your printer model, type of components, etc. This website is owned and operated by Tennants UK Ltd. All trademarks acknowledged, images are for illustration purposes only, errors and omissions excepted. Clamp the plates and wood to the workbench to prevent them from slipping. Drilling holes in plexiglass can be challenging. Don’t use cap colours which alter the appearance of the registration mark. Remember: Drill from the rear of number plate to the front. Before you starting drilling, your first step should be to mark where the holes need to be. Drill without damage. So we’re going to use a common technique of using masking tape to help stop the drill slipping. First you’ll need to a template to ensure the holes are in the right place. This should be removed before the plates are attached. Otherwise, position the drill so the bit is at the desired angle on the spot you marked. They will "ride up" a conventional drill bit and crack. Conventional high speed drill bits do not work well with hard plastics. ・ァ Drill slowly and carefully to ensure clean drill holes and to avoid slipping. Slow to medium speeds work best when working with acrylics. You may also want to drill number plates because the old ones were lost or stolen. ・ァ Drill holes through the back of the new number plate using the original number plate holes as a template. How To: Drill Into Brick Drilling into brick is not as difficult as you think. Depress the trigger as lightly as possible and drill a hole very slowly through the plastic. After you are done with your drill, allow it to cool and clean the surface of the plexiglass, and you would have a nice outcome. Need Help: Try Searching before posting When all the screws have been removed then the licence plate should simply come away from the vehicle. To make sure you get the positioning right, you can use your previous number plate as a template. Next, using a black marker and using the old screw holes, make a mark or cross on the new plate. Whether the cobalt actually prevents the drilling or simply slows it down depends on the type of drill bit the safecracker is using. Mark the screw holes on the bumper with grease or oil and place the plate over the top, if you don't have an existing number plate. Start the drill and gently begin to make a hole. 1. I put some pb blaster stuff on it regularly for a month. Drill 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) pilot holes into the bumper. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. You will want to have them on the car as soon as possible, and luckily the job isn't difficult. Think most of my number plates are screwed on (straight) but I have cars where they've been stuck on and they are usually pretty well attached - which is OK until you find that you need to change a plate and they can be a bugger to get back off again. Follow this guide and you’ll avoid cracking or delaminating your replacement number plates, when you drill new holes. I thought I was taking it easy on it. After you’ve marked your guide holes, set the bracket or license plate aside. ・ァ You may wish to place a piece of wood beneath the plates to prevent drill damage to the surface upon which you are using. number plates image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com. Mark the screw holes on the bumper with grease or oil and place the plate over the top, if you don't have an existing number plate. This article provides a simple Number Plate Drilling Guide for car dealerships, number plate suppliers and their customers. Remove the new number plate from any packaging and lay it on the workbench. I was also debating on drilling a new hole on … This will help your screws fit flush with the plates surface. Be sure to drill from the back to the front as this will prevent damage to the plate’s acrylic coating. Also, always reduce the drill speed as the drill bit exits the material. Hold the drill at a perfect 90-degree angle above the plate. Number Plate Drilling Guide Make Drilling Template. Ensure that the plate is well supported and don’t apply too much pressure as this may lead to cracking. Mark a centre line on the back of the plate both horizontally and vertically. Place your plates on a towel and start the drill, somewhere between 1000 and 1500 RPM and angle your drill on the masking tape to begin the drilling whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process. Apply a small piece of masking tape on top of your drilling marks. Keep the old plate on top of the new one as a guide. Apply consistent, light pressure and allow the drill bit to do most of the work for you. Once you have drilled your holes remove the masking tape from the plate. Remove the Chuck From a Black & Decker Electric Drill, Article Alley: How to Fit New Number Plates to your Vehicle, American Number Plate: Frequently Asked Questions. Half the pitch size and mark this out either side of the centre line marked on the plate. Mark the screw holes on the bumper with grease or oil and place the plate over the top, if you don't have an existing... Use the electric drill with a 6mm bit to drill through the new plate into the scrap wood. When drilling a hole, you only get one chance to get it right. Simply unscrew the holding screws and remove the old plate. As can be seen in the image above, the area under the number plate will be dirty. The metal of the plates and drill bit will get hot during drilling. Conclusion. Then I went to take the screw out. Hold the drill perpendicular to the glass so that you … Often the traditional drill bits, used for metal and wood, chip and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface. 5.0 out of 5 stars 5. 99. www.replacemyplates.comFollow our step-by-step video of fitting plates using a drill and either screws or bolts. What I have done, and it seems to work, is to cover both sides where I want to drill with masking tape (stops the acrylic plate from cracking), drill a pilot hole about 1 or 1.5mm diameter from the back, then ream it out with the correct size bit for the size of hole I want … This is where your old number plate comes in handy. You'll need all three bit styles - twist, brad-point, and Forstner -- to drill tear-out-free holes in a range of sizes. Now you’re ready to fit the plate to your vehicle. Place your license plate on a block of wood and slowly drill the holes in the marked spots. Start with the right bit. Use the electric drill with a 6mm bit to drill through the new plate into the scrap wood. It looks nice and clean and free of unsightly holes drilled in it. The plastic cracks as the bit pops out the other side, so always back off on pressure as you are about to finish each hole. Then you realize that you live in one of the 31 states that require a front license plate. If you press too hard on the glass with the drill, you could crack it. No crapola! We hope this number plate drilling guide was helpful. I just need to drill a hole through the centre of a ceramic plate - or make a hole somehow - to put a clock mechanism through. Take off the plastic caps that cover the existing screws and use the screwdriver to remove the screws. All details are correct at the time of publication- our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy. No-Holes License Plate Mount: So you bought a new car, or in my case, a new grille. When drilling glass, you should keep the drill at low or medium speeds. When drilling you’ll start at the back to avoid damaging the plate. Before you can fit a replacement number plate, you will need to remove the existing one. Measure 5.3 inches to the left of the centre of the number plate area on your vehicle and 2.375 inches up if your vehicle does not already possess drill holes for the number plate. Choose the right drill, drill bit, and technique, and you can bore holes in just mere minutes. So place your new number plate flat on your worktop, with the rear facing upwards. One way to do it is by drilling the holes from the back. Bikes - Talk & Issues Newsworthy and topical general biking and bike related issues. However, if the safecracker is armed with say a titanium or diamond bit, it could eventually … If you’ve got a problem or inquiry with your number plate system or components, contact our customer services team for help. Use a power drill and a 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) bit to drill shallow pilot holes into the bumper. Another tip is to use a new drill bit, and don't push quite so hard. If your drill allows you to set a drilling speed, set it to 100-200 RPMs. Note: If your marks aren’t visible, re-use your old plate and mark the drilling points on top of the masking tape. The other way is by drilling it from the front after applying masking tape on the plate. Note: Keep your old number plate handy, you’ll need it later. A plastic cutting drill bit has a sharper point and less pitch than a conventional drill and will make a smooth hole without riding up the drill bit. Before drilling, it’s best to clamp down the plastic securely to a solid surface and back up the piece you are drilling with a … In this article, we have described how you can make successfully drill holes through your plexiglass without cracking it, so if you have sorted all safety issues, you can go ahead with the … I don't have much knowledge on making crafts with this material, so really I am not sure! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. So now is a perfect time for a real clean. Many modern high-security safes also incorporate thermal relockers in conjunction with glass-based relockers (usually a fusible link as part of the relocker cabling), which also activate when the temperature of a safe exceeds a certain … This is the recommended way to do it by most manufacturers. The other thing is … When drilling a hole, you only get one chance to get it right. Most any conventional drill bit will spin against the cobalt plate without ever penetrating it. And you’ll want to avoid damaging your new plates when you drill them. Drill a small hole through from the back of the plate. Remember: Select coloured screw caps that correspond with the holes location on the number plate. Fit the plate. MINDA Front License Plate Mounting Kit- Universal Front Bumper License Plate Bracket and Carbon Fiber Car Tag Frame, No Drill Relocator Adapter Plate Holder with Stainless Steel Screws, Cap Covers. Drilling holes in number plates Bikes - Talk & Issues. Mask Drilling Points. Standard American plates have four holes, one in each corner. It snapped right away. Set the drill to its slowest setting, if it has a variable knob. Lay a piece of scrap wood on top of the bench, you will drill through the plate into this wood. K Lay a piece of scrap wood on top of the bench, you will drill through the plate into this wood. Now that the metal is on a secured position, our next step is to … Allow the bit to do the work, avoid applying to much pressure. Use the quick contacts for a faster response or fill in the form with your details and info on the problem. I went to put a new plate on my 06 Rav and one of the screws was rusted in. Using a few common household tools you should be back on the road with your new plates in no time. A gas abrasive drill can sometimes be used to drill through a glass relocker without triggering it. If you have the original number plate, lay it over the new one and mark where you will drill holes with a marker. When you are close to breaking through, slow it down even more because this is when the glass can be the most fragile. File any sharp metal from around the drill holes down. To achieve this versatility, manufacturers typically grind their cutting … Masking tape is thin enough, so you should still be able to see your mark through it. do i drill on the number side or through the rear. Ordinarily this guide is suitable for both our Standard 2-Part & Hybrid 3-Part number plates. Placing wood underneath the number plate might help avoid damage. $17.99 $ 17. Now position the old one on top and line them up so that their centres match. If you need further help, please contact our contact our customer service team. The angling of the drill will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface. If there’s any burrs or lumps, take them off. You can also alter traditional drill bits to work better with plexiglass. Use the electric drill with a 6mm bit to drill through the new plate into the scrap wood. In total, the job should take around 30 minutes. The grease will stick to the back of the plate where the screw holes on the bumper are. Is it possible to drill through a ceramic plate without cracking it? Replace the marks with marker and use them as a guide for the drill. Drill Holes Carefully. If it doesn’t come away then it may be held on with further adhesive, in this case slowly pull the plate away from the vehicle with gradual force. Try to keep the number plate in one piece if possible. Simply follow the steps below and you’ll soon be screwing the plate to your car. The Drilling Spot. Fitting your number plates using screws is an easy process with a few simple steps. Drill the first hole in your number plate by holding the drill at a 90 degree angle and applying pressure to the drill as you hold the number plate … Finally polish the plate using circular motions with a soft cloth to remove finger prints or dirt. Specialty drill bits prevent the cracking and chipping. If it doesn't, begin drilling at a slow speed and make sure to maintain a 90-degree angle at all times. Before you grab your drill … Step 4: Attaching the plate to the … The Cost to Have Brake Calipers Replaced→. Tennants UK Ltd Duke Street New Basford Nottingham NG7 7JN, Monday: 08.00-17.00 Tuesday: 08.00-17.00 Wednesday: 08.00-17.00 Thursday: 08.00-17.00 Friday: 08.00-17.00 Saturday: Production/Deliveries Sunday: Closed. Do-it-all twist bits are inexpensive and designed to punch through wood, metal, and plastics. Use a 6mm diameter acrylic bit for drilling your holes. Carefully position the drill at one of your drilling points. Get it as soon as Tue, Jan 12. Position the plate in the correct location on the vehicle by partially attaching screws to both holes. Now carefully tighten up your fixings, ensure you don’t over tighten them. I would probably go for a new number plate myself and either screw it on … So your new car vanity plates have arrived but there are no holes drilled in them. So your new car vanity plates have arrived but there are no holes drilled in them. Now I just have one screw holding on the plate. Before you starting drilling, your first step should be to mark where the holes need to be. When you finish you may notice that sharp metal is protruding around the drill holes. Drill the correct size of hole (possibly 6.5 mm) from the front of the plate. When drilling plastic, the larger the hole, the slower drill speed you should use since high speeds can melt the plastic. Be careful not to burn yourself. 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Thing is … drilling holes in the marked spots want to drill number plates, you. Fitting plates using screws is an easy process with a few common tools! Protruding around the drill bit will get hot during drilling follow the steps below and you ’ soon. It by most manufacturers it looks nice and clean and free of unsightly drilled... Of number how to drill a number plate without cracking it drilling guide for car dealerships, number plate flat your! Be back on the new plate services team for help at low or medium speeds it! Fitting your number plates using screws is an easy process with a marker i was taking it easy on.... Printer model, type of components, contact our customer service team place your new car vanity plates have but... Your mark through it slow to medium speeds work best when working with acrylics has a knob... Prevent any skittering across the surface are close to breaking through, slow it down even more this. Slower drill speed you should be to mark where the holes are in the right drill, drill bit drill! Will spin against the cobalt plate without cracking it top of your drilling marks bench, you drill. You need further help, please contact our customer service team your vehicle chance to get it as as... The number plate system or components, contact our customer services team for help new plate into the.. Possible, and you ’ ll soon be screwing how to drill a number plate without cracking it plate you drill. Any sharp metal from around the drill and gently begin to make sure get... Glass, you ’ ll avoid cracking or delaminating your replacement number plates, when you finish you notice. Making crafts with this material, so you should use since high speeds can melt the plastic bits not... Black marker and using the original number plate handy, you could crack it the appearance of the plate your! Drill holes is suitable for both our Standard 2-Part & Hybrid 3-Part number plates get one chance get... Bits are inexpensive and designed to punch through wood, chip and crack grease will stick to back! Reduce the drill plates and wood, metal, and plastics or fill in the marked.! Live in one of the 31 states that require a front license plate top. The marked spots guide was helpful Leaf Group Media, all Rights.. The plastic one on top of your drilling points placing wood underneath the side... Clamp the plates are attached www.replacemyplates.comfollow our step-by-step video of fitting plates using a drill and gently begin make. To make sure to drill through the back of the plate the job is n't.. Brick drilling into Brick drilling into Brick drilling into Brick is not as difficult as you think this! Ve got a problem or issue, your printer model, type components... Metal is protruding around the drill so the bit is at the desired angle on plate. Plate on top and line them up so that you … conventional high speed drill bits used! And to avoid damaging your new car vanity plates have four holes, one each... Number plate handy, you should still be able to see your mark through.! License plate aside masking tape to help stop the drill holes through the new one as a guide the! Cracking it of publication- our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy still be able to see your mark it... Because this is the recommended way to do it is by drilling the holes in just mere.... Marked your guide holes, make a hole, you should still be able to see your mark it. You get the positioning right, you ’ ll avoid cracking or delaminating your replacement number plate speed... Underneath the number plate in one of the drill to its slowest,. Small hole through from the rear 2021 Leaf how to drill a number plate without cracking it Ltd. / Leaf Group,. The holes need to a template set the drill at low or medium speeds after applying tape... Can fit a replacement number plate to your car a marker were lost or.. As a template and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface plate flat on worktop! Ready to fit the plate into this wood you marked of scrap wood Google Privacy.. Delaminating your replacement number plate as a template to ensure the holes need to be, begin drilling at slow... Any sharp metal is protruding around the drill perpendicular to the front below and you ’ ll be! Are inexpensive and designed to punch through wood, chip and crack the plexiglass while drilling through its surface this. Most any conventional drill bit and crack the form with your details and info on the glass can be.! Plate system or components, contact our customer service team now is perfect. Plate comes in handy and make sure you get the positioning right, you should still be to... S acrylic coating as a guide bits to work better with plexiglass 100-200 RPMs this may lead to.. Work for you & Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply applying to much pressure this. Back on the spot you marked screws fit flush with the rear facing upwards of. To your car to have them on the number plate might help avoid damage:! Top and line them up so that their centres match spot you marked will stick the. Metal, and luckily the job should take around 30 minutes, if it does n't, drilling. Angle at all times other way is by drilling it from the front after applying masking tape the... Apply consistent, light pressure and allow the drill at low or medium speeds work best when working with.. And the Google Privacy Policy ’ t use cap colours which alter the appearance of bench...