MINI2

snid · Aug 28th, 2004, 02:06 PM

I'm looking for tips for cutting the foam backed carpet on the lift up boot floor that covers to tool kit on a Cooper (or battery on an S). I had a JL Audio Stealthbox subwoofer installed, and that blocks access to the tool kit / spare. It's not too hard to remove the Stealthbox (remove the rear seat back, then unbolt the bracket on the Stealthbox), but it would be much easier to not have to do that.

I realize that rule number one is "measure twice, cut once". But, what about cutting itself? Just grab a carpet style blade and go at it? Anything special to keep the foam backing from getting trashed?

obehave · Aug 28th, 2004, 04:14 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

I'm looking for tips for cutting the foam backed carpet on the lift up boot floor that covers to tool kit on a Cooper (or battery on an S). I had a JL Audio Stealthbox subwoofer installed, and that blocks access to the tool kit / spare. It's not too hard to remove the Stealthbox (remove the rear seat back, then unbolt the bracket on the Stealthbox), but it would be much easier to not have to do that.

I realize that rule number one is "measure twice, cut once". But, what about cutting itself? Just grab a carpet style blade and go at it? Anything special to keep the foam backing from getting trashed?

You want to compress the foam as much as you can and use a very sharp blade.
Slide a piece of masonite or something similar under the carpet. Use a good metal straight edge so you can press down nice and hard.
The foam should be fine if the blade is sharp enough.

soopacoopa · Aug 28th, 2004, 10:12 PM

I've had to do this job myself. I tried with a blade but the hardboard was too tough for me. I ended up drilling 4x 10mm holes (did this in stages: 3mm, 6mm, 8mm then 10mm) in the corners of the rectangular cut-out I wanted in the carpet, and then I used a power jigsaw to 'join-the-dots'. I did all of the work with fairly low cutting speeds, and with the assistance of fixtured blocks to guide the saw and keep my cuts straight. I ended up with nice clean edges on the carpet and the foam, but I decided to use some black plastic extrusion to finish the raw edges.

Hope this helps,

Richard

Aug 28th, 2004, 02:06 PM	#1
snid brown is back Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Burlington, VT Local Time: 09:24 PM Posts: 4,221 Offline	Tips for cutting the boot floor I'm looking for tips for cutting the foam backed carpet on the lift up boot floor that covers to tool kit on a Cooper (or battery on an S). I had a JL Audio Stealthbox subwoofer installed, and that blocks access to the tool kit / spare. It's not too hard to remove the Stealthbox (remove the rear seat back, then unbolt the bracket on the Stealthbox), but it would be much easier to not have to do that. I realize that rule number one is "measure twice, cut once". But, what about cutting itself? Just grab a carpet style blade and go at it? Anything special to keep the foam backing from getting trashed? jtross \| snid \| jason - bloggage (including videos)

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Aug 28th, 2004, 04:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 09:24 PM Posts: 9,388 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by snid I'm looking for tips for cutting the foam backed carpet on the lift up boot floor that covers to tool kit on a Cooper (or battery on an S). I had a JL Audio Stealthbox subwoofer installed, and that blocks access to the tool kit / spare. It's not too hard to remove the Stealthbox (remove the rear seat back, then unbolt the bracket on the Stealthbox), but it would be much easier to not have to do that. I realize that rule number one is "measure twice, cut once". But, what about cutting itself? Just grab a carpet style blade and go at it? Anything special to keep the foam backing from getting trashed? You want to compress the foam as much as you can and use a very sharp blade. Slide a piece of masonite or something similar under the carpet. Use a good metal straight edge so you can press down nice and hard. The foam should be fine if the blade is sharp enough.

Aug 28th, 2004, 10:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
soopacoopa MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sweden Local Time: 03:24 AM Posts: 80 Offline	I've had to do this job myself. I tried with a blade but the hardboard was too tough for me. I ended up drilling 4x 10mm holes (did this in stages: 3mm, 6mm, 8mm then 10mm) in the corners of the rectangular cut-out I wanted in the carpet, and then I used a power jigsaw to 'join-the-dots'. I did all of the work with fairly low cutting speeds, and with the assistance of fixtured blocks to guide the saw and keep my cuts straight. I ended up with nice clean edges on the carpet and the foam, but I decided to use some black plastic extrusion to finish the raw edges. Hope this helps, Richard

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