A punch would probably do it. Depending on the size hole, you could pick
up one of the cheap office products-looks like an awl with a tube
instead of a spike. Or you might grind an edge on the end of a steel
tube the right diameter. Best to put the bevel on the inside, but the
outside would probably work too. Put the end where you want the hole and
whack it with a mallet. Edge on a cheap steel tube would likely last
long enough to get the job done.

Dale

Ed Larsen wrote:
I have a need to drill holes to mount a cleat. The surface is carpeted. I
know someonehas a handy dandy way to keep from ruining the carpet. My
experience in the past is that it is very easy to pull a runner int he
carpet.

So anybody got a handy dandy way to drill through a carpeted surface on a
boat?