I was looking to install a Bullring tie down in the bed rail of my truck. My model requires some trimming of the plastic bed rail for installation. Bullring has two router bits to use. One is a cutoff wheel and the other is a finishing bit. Could I get by using my cordless drill?

2:15 in the video for the cuts

With sufficient care, it should work.

Just be aware that you'll have to physically control the depth of cut rather than relying on the base of the router to do it.

Go slow, keep it perpendicular and watch for a tendency to grab.

No. Borrow a router. Or maybe rent one. At best, you’ll be unhappy with the results if you use the drill.

I agree with Sigjacket. Rent or borrow a router. You won’t be able to control it with a drill, and a drill doesn’t spin nearly as fast as a router. It will walk all over and become a mess, aside of being dangerous.

Yes you can, but as sigjacket pointed out, you will not be happy with the results.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
I agree with Sigjacket. Rent or borrow a router. You won’t be able to control it with a drill, and a drill doesn’t spin nearly as fast as a router. It will walk all over and become a mess, aside of being dangerous.

This! I have done a lot of router work thru the years, and there is no way I would try to use a cordless (or any other) drill as a router.

Check with some of the tool outlets (lowe's or Home Depot for example). As I recall the HD here rents tools.

It's not just the speed. A router is designed for side pressure on the bit, a drill is not.

I would use a Foredom Tool and a cutting tool to grind it away.

I have used the A-7143 cutter head to do this type of work.

https://www.foredom.net/produc...speed-steel-cutters/

The way I see it, they have designed the bits to install it correctly. The installation will look professional if done their way.

You’re spending what, $70 for the tie downs? A router costs about the same, but you’ll have that tool later when you need it.

Not the most ethical thing to do, but you can also buy a router, use it for your four cuts, dust it off and take it back.

I would suggest buying one and having it around.

That said, buy the bits and tools to do the job right. You have a what, $40k truck? Don’t cheap out on the bed mounts and end up with it looking like crap. You’ll regret that if you do.

Routers turn at about 30,000 rpm,drill about 1200
Just buy a cheap router and save time and aggravation.

Not a chance in hell, IMO. Wrong speed. Wrong ergonomics (for control). No base for depth or guide reference.

Borrow or rent a router if you must, but, if you try it with a drill motor I predict a hack job will be the result.

And find some way to practice with the router beforehand. They don't behave the way you might expect, and it's not as easy as the guys on TV make it look to be.

The only tool I'd try something like that with, other than a router, is perhaps one of my Rotozips.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Not the most ethical thing to do, but you can also buy a router, use it for your four cuts, dust it off and take it back.

"Not the most ethical...?!?!" It's entirely unethical. I can't fucking believe somebody on SF would actually have the gall to even hint at suggesting such unethical behaviour, much less what you've just done

The only reason I might try it is because I have decades of experience working with hand tools and most importantly... the tie down you are installing overlaps and hides the cutout, But then I have a router to so...

Surely you know someone that owns one, ask around.

If you have a Dremel Tool, they make an attachment for routing. Might be a cheaper alternative than buying a router.

Thanks for the responses. Maybe ill have to stop by the evil Harbor Freight and see what they have.

Might be worth a try with a drywall cut out tool...

No, borrow or rent a router.

The RPMs of a router 7k-22k guarantee that only a tiny bit of material is taken with each bite. Using a drill will allow too much material into the bit causing a very ugly cut possibly breaking the liner.

A trim router would be perfect for this.

If a router is completely out of the question, try a grinding bit, the grinder will eat the plastic without tearing. It may melt the plastic but just take it slow.

No way in hell would I try that. The cut is way to close to the bed, I wouldn't want to damage the paint and have rust forming in a concealed location. If I was going to try something I'd either use my Dremel as a router or put a cutoff wheel in it.

I installed these on my Ram. I'd use a box knife with brand new blades before I'd try using a drill.

I suggest borrowing or renting a router (lowes) first.

Or as Skins said - Dremel. There is a router-type base available for the dremel.


Rick

I wouldn't use a drill as a router. What I would attempt is a small cutoff wheel on a Dremel. But I bet one of your neighbors has a router you can borrow for 10 mins.

Good, fast, cheap.