Installing Ariston dryer

[skyviewman]

We picked up the washer and dryer and I have installed the washer. DW is very impressed. Now comes the hard part and that is to intall the dryer. I have all the pieces and found a special elbow at a new Home Depot which will help with the clearance. I know some of you said that the first hole is the hardest but this is a big hole (4") and I don't want to make a mistake. I am not worried about the location as much as the actual hole. When I cut the hole should I start from the inside, cut through and then when I know where the centre is cut the rest of the hole from the outside. What i am worried about is the fifreglass on the outside splintering. Not sure if it will or not. Any advise would be appreciated.
By the way as one of our members did I moved the door the the other side and it will be a solid door most of the time except when the DW is using either one of them, she can unlatch in the middle so that it folds back.
Thanks in advance

[nailbender]

I would drill from both sides as you described. The exterior probably wouldn't splinter, but why take a chance. I cut a hole in our previous 5er for a window from the outside and used a saber saw and didn't have any splintering.

[dsprik]

I don't like to pay for jobs to be done on my 3400...HOWEVER, this is one job that I let the dealership do. That way if something weird happens, the dealership is responsible. This is over my head.

[bncinwv]

The only advice I can offer is what I have learned from drilling holes into the gel-coat and fiberglass in a boat. You can minimize the splintering of the glass by making an initial cut with the hole saw in reverse. Sounds odd, but it works!! Once the surface is scarred in reverse, then set the drill or whatever you are using to normal forward rotation. Others have recommended covering the area to be cut with masking tape to minimize splintering as well. No warrantee or guarantees are included with this advice, but once you drill the first hole in the rig, the apprehension for the next one is greatly lessened!! Good luck,
Bingo