cutting track windows on 07 apex

[dave_dj1]

i tried a search but nothing to help my question.

what is the best way to cut the track windows?

anyone ever use a holesaw and just drill them out round?

would this have any adverse affect?
thanks,
dave

 

[apltx08]

Cut them with a good UTILITY knife and VASELINE, make sure your blade is always sharp, the VASELINE will help your blade slide/slice threw the rubber.

Just dip the end of your BLADE into the VASELNE and cut-out the holes square.

For the ADVERSE EFFECT its debateable, some swear its better to have all windows open to let more snow in but on the other hand your NOT holding more in your letting more OUT... so what is better???

I've experimented with my sled and my buddies which we ride together all the time in same conditions and speed, I've kept my track CLOSED EVERY 3rd and he FULLY CLIPPED his and the results where as such, when I was heating my slides we wasn't and oppisite would occur when he was overheating I wasn't, fully clipped seems to overheat QUICKER in MARGINAL snow conditions so its hard to figure out the perfect set up, we just have to live with sleds that tend to heat up slides and need a LOT of snow to keep our SLIDES COOL...

1 of the best add on I've done is SCRATCHERS in MARGINAL conditions its the best thing to have, I was running with 2 "DOO'S" a couple of weeks ago on a -32 celcius morning on HARD pack groomed trails and guess what, THE "DOO'S" where OVERHEATING motor and slides looking for snow powder and my YAM was leading the pack with no problems.

Here's a pic of my custom scrathers

 

[RedRX1]

I used a rotozip. It's a rotary tool that drywallers use to cut around electrical boxes. You can buy the bits at Home Depot, you could probably put them in a drill as well. In about 30 minutes you can do the track. I've done this on 3 sleds and have never clipped the openings. I believe this reduces slider wear and reduces track noise.

And yes, last year there were posts from guys that used a hole saw. The mountain guys even use a hole saw to cut 3-4 holes between the rail slots in between each row of lugs.

 

[schmeg]

Ditto on the utility knife, but I lubed the blade with silicone spray every so often, but I'm sure silicone will work fine. Take your time and it will come out looking nice. Fully clipped works for me.

 

[Iceman57]

Here is a link ot a previous post on the subject.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... sc&start=0

 

[FLYBYU]

go buy 2 wood chisels that are the same size width and length and put a peice of wood under the window, and hit it with a hammer. nice clean straight cut. did mine in 20 minutes

 

[Blue Oval]

I used a hole saw. 1" I believe, no issues.

 

[dave_dj1]

thanks for all the input, looks like i'll be cutting them out today!
thanks again
dave

 

[LazyBastard]

Forget about knives, drills, rotary tools. The best way to do it is to punch it out with a properly sized rectangular punch. Just get yourself a piece of square steel pipe with the same outside dimensions as the hole you need to cut, sharpen it from the INSIDE, put a block of wood under the track, and whack the pipe with a mallet. One whack, one hole, real easy.

 

[dave_dj1]

i cut them out today with a husky knife! was pretty easy just time consuming. i sprayed the blade with some elmers slide lube frequently.