Tool to cut hole in MK6 center stowage?

[logger]

I posted over in the Audio section, with no response. Hoping someone around here might have a suggestion. I need to cut a hole in my center stowage of my Mk6 to fit one of these

where the coins are below..


Access is limited on both sides by the shape of the stowage, so a hole saw is out of the question. Ideally I would like a nice neat hole and not a hacked out job.

What sort of tool should I be using to do this?

[Tim]

id use a dremel. One of the best tools ever invented

mark the outline of your hole. drill the centre out and then slowly remove material up to your guide line. Should only take a minute or two. Be careful dremeling plastic too fast though as it will start to melt it if you rush too quickly.

[nau]

just use drill and work your way from small hall to a larger one ...

[logger]

Thanks fellas. Will give it a crack.

[MurphyTheElf]

+1 dremel. Work slowly from the centre like Tim suggested though because they can get away from you very quickly.

[Guy_H]

This:
+

this:

[STV4SYT]

One of these???



Seriously though a dremel is jhard to beat for these things, can buy a cheapo version from bunnings for pocketchange too.

[jessv3]

Hi Logger, where abouts did you get that USB attachment and can it be connected to just a regular mk5 head unit?

[logger]

Gee guys. Flooded with good responses. Thanks for all the suggestions/tips.

Jessv3, from ebay, just search for "belkin micro usb". It is designed to fit flush into a 12v lighter outlet and convert it to USB 5v 1a. However my intention is to solder a lead onto the end of it and connect it to the fuse box with a fuse tap. Thereby giving me a 5v outlet beside the AUX audio input. Others have done similar by starting with a standard 12v to usb power converter and butchering it. Like this USB Port - Imgur But I reckon that looks pretty crappy. There are also cheaper micro plugs than this one but the are only 500ma.
Because this Belkin jobby is so compact, I hope it will provide quite a professional neat look that wont look like it is tacked on. Not sure why you would want to connect it to a head unit? Oh I see - perhaps you were thinking it is for USB data. No it is only fro USB power.

[jessv3]

Oh I see - perhaps you were thinking it is for USB data. No it is only fro USB power.

whoops sorry, i thought it was some cool new media device

[logger]

As it was a one off job I couldn’t justify a dremel. So I drilled it diagonally to finger width. Then using course sandpaper wrapped around my finger I was readily able to enlarge and make it circular. think I made some minor scratches on the inside of the storage box while working on it. So if I went again, I would apply some tape or clear contact to the area beforehand, to protect it while working on it. This would also allow me to draw the exact shape on the contact while it was on a flat surface then stick it onto the confined space in the storage box.



Top RHS shows what I ended up with. A flush USB charger, beside the AUX IN in the Armrest storage.

Bottom RHS is the harness I made. 1Amp 5V USB charger at one end and a fuse tap and ground point at other end.

Bottom LHS shows the fuse tap in the cig lighter slot and ground under the bolt that fixes fuse box. Can you electronic types advise me if this setup is flawed. Seems to work fine.

Bottom Center. Just to show that a connector at this end is essential. Because you have to install the storage compartment in the car before you fit a) the USB and b) the AUX IN. Conversely you have to remove them both, prior to removing the storage. This is because they foul the attach point that the screw in the third (square) hole at the top goes into. AUX In has a similar albeit smaller vw connector.

Again. Thanks again for all the advice.