Attaching back rest

[Andy JC]

I'm after a bit of advice regarding attaching a padded cushion to the stainless backrest on my jockey console.

I've just bought a pill shaped pad from 'rib-x450' but I'm not sure about the best method to secure it to the arched backrest bar at the rear of my jockey console. The most obvious way would 'appear' to be to drill through the tube and fire a couple of stainless screws through the tube and in to the back of the support (10mm ply). The problem I can invisage here would be drilling through the stainless tubing - can anyone suggest a method of geting the drill to bite(other than a centre punch) or is attempting to drill through a stainless steel tube just a bad idea?
The stainless tube is around 50mm in diameter and the pad needs to be secured near the top of the arch, I've posted a pic below showing the rear tube on the back of the jockey console.

Help greatly appreciated

[Limey Linda]

Mark hole positions on tube, file a small flat, smaller than the dia. of screw head. re mark and centerpunch. Then drill with sharp drill, making sure you keep the drill square. Use a pilot drill then open up to clearance size for screw.
Take is slow.

[Bigmuz7]

Another common method is to weld a flat stainless tab on the inside of each side of the uprights, drill that and screw your board to that, if you can take the support off and down to a fab shop

[Andy JC]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Don't know a fabricator in the area so think I'm going to try drilling the tube using the method LL suggests.

Cheers

[spartacus]

I'd be inclined to remove stainless steel tube so you can lie it down and drill with your weight directly down on top. Drill slow but accurately.

[Andy JC]

Job done

Used zinc plated screws for now but they'll soon be replaced by stainless.