Custom console attempt. What do you guys think so far??

[scherp69]

So I'm taking a shot at making a custom console out of round bar. I then plan on wrapping the entire thing with sheet metal and either painting it or wrapping it in leather. I know it's a lot of round bar, but I figure better safe than sorry. I still plan on adding a lid on top that opens as well. Here's some pics.

Arm rest









Front part. When it's done, the front is going to come down on more of an angle. I plan on putting a 7" LCD in it.








And the two together





There's still lots to do on it. I plan on using round bar to connect the two parts and have one solid console. What do you guys think so far? Any suggestions to make it better?

[THE TECH]

Looks good so far. Keep it up.

[ironcampig]

When your done could you make me one , it looks crazy cool

[armourmark]

Looks sturdy as hell!! Good work. If you are going thru all the trouble to skin it with sheetmetal, do yourself a favor and paint it. All the metalwork deserves a paintjob!!

[rocketrod]

Looks good so far! Are you factoring in clearance for the thickness of adding dynamat lie material and carpeting into your design? The piece under the dash looks tight now. Plus will it set on the tunnel correctly once these items are added? How do you plan on finishing the rest of the interior: leather, deluxe interior, etc? Keep the pics coming!

[Motown 454]

Its looking good Mike. Your putting those new tools to good use.

[67blacklist]

looks good, I too would be concerned about rocketrod's point, also do you have enough room to comfortably reach down and grab the e-brake? it's just a little difficult to tell without seats.

[veltboy618]

Looks good! Why not make it out of fiberglass?

[scherp69]

Looks good so far. Keep it up.

Thanks!

When your done could you make me one , it looks crazy cool

I'll get right on it and thanks.

Looks sturdy as hell!! Good work. If you are going thru all the trouble to skin it with sheetmetal, do yourself a favor and paint it. All the metalwork deserves a paintjob!!

After looking at fiberglass, I'm now leaning towards wrapping it in fiberglass and then wrapping it in leather. I really think the leather will fit better than painted as my steering wheel and seats are all leather.

Looks good so far! Are you factoring in clearance for the thickness of adding dynamat lie material and carpeting into your design? The piece under the dash looks tight now. Plus will it set on the tunnel correctly once these items are added? How do you plan on finishing the rest of the interior: leather, deluxe interior, etc? Keep the pics coming!

Thanks. I thought I had enough clearance, but I'll be cutting it down to 1" clearance. Right now it is 1/2" and I doubt that will be enough. I'm also going to hit one of the local upholster shops and see if they have any scrap carpet I can have to put under it.

Its looking good Mike. Your putting those new tools to good use.

Yeah they work quite nice.

looks good, I too would be concerned about rocketrod's point, also do you have enough room to comfortably reach down and grab the e-brake? it's just a little difficult to tell without seats.

I haven't really tried it yet. I'm not overly concerned about being able to grab it comfortably as much as I can just get to it. I will keep that in mind though and will try it out with the seats in place.

Looks good! Why not make it out of fiberglass?

I think I'm going to wrap it in fiberglass and then in leather. I thought about doing the entire thing out of fiberglass or mdf, but I think with it this way I won't have to worry about it being sturdy enough. I'm about 260lbs (hope to get lighter) so I like having the extra support in case I lean on it.

[bg5512]

I've done mine in foam and then fiberglass, but I think I like your methed better. Thanks for the idea.

[1976CamaroGuy]

I def would wrap it in fiberglass, apply filler to smooth, then wrap it with material....it's going to be lighter than metal.

[gcallahan]

very nice. ive been thinking about building my own as well, can't wait to see it finished.

[scherp69]

Thanks guys. So I've decided that once I'm dong the skeleton, I am going to wrap it in sheet metal and then leather. I talked to the upholsterer and they recommended to do the same. It will be easier to finish it in sheetmetal.

Got more done on the console today and yesterday. First thing I did was mock it up with some carpet and underlay. Found out that it was too high so I took off about 1/2" more. I also had to make some modifications around the a/c unit. It will be snug now, but once it gets bolted down, it should look good. The other issue I found was regarding the depth of it. I was talking to a friend of mine who manages a electronics store. For the head unit I want to put in, he recommended close to 10" depth. Well I had a bit of ways to go. I got it to about 9 1/2". I was looking at the specs of the Alpine units, they are just under 6 1/2" deep, then wiring. I think I'll be good with it now.

Here's some pics. Let me know what you think.

Added to the front





The only thing I might try and change is to shorten the top part to put it on more of an angle so I will be able to see the screen better.



I then connected the two pieces together









Oh and..............................cup holders



For those that were wondering about the weight. I think in the end, this will be lighter than going with mdf. So far I'm only at 8.3lbs for the skeleton.





What do you guys think?? I'll be out in the shop again tomorrow and will get some more done. Will post more pics then.

[gcallahan]

looks nice

[scherp69]

Thanks.


Got a little bit done today. Moved the shifter back into it's original location. I like it better there. Also had to cut a few pieces out and I made the ebrake hole.

I know the one side is a little bit off, but it's a one off piece. It all can't be dead on. Plus with the leather, it will never even be noticeable.









I'm not sure if I like the cup holders I have. I think they are a little too big. I want a set that when I put a regular pop bottle into it, it doesn't flop all over the place. The ones I have have about half an inch all the around still. Does anyone know of any that fit a bottle snugly.

[neki67]

Does anyone know of any that fit a bottle snugly.

I used poker table chip holders. They hold a bottle just fine.

[nekkidhillbilly]

it would look cool to keep it a skeleton and powder coat it and cover in lexan

[fordsbyjay]

Where did you get those cup holders?

[newmexicosaint]

That is looking GOOD. Its a roll cage for a console!!

[jtm311]

Nice work, after just finishing mine I know what it takes

John