Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

I have a '85 23'CC and the console opening is covered by a teak insert with sliding doors. I want to replace this with a trimmed out insert that I could flush mount my electronics onto. the more thought I've given this the more confused I've become as I haven't got A CLUE how to start.
Could I get a few suggestions or better yet photo's of what anyone else has built. Thanks Rich

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

We might be able to be more helpful if you show us a pic of what you've got.

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

roger

Here you go. Rich
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...9/IMG_0104.jpg

I haven't mastered Capt. Chuck's Photobucket instructions yet on how to display it. Richweb pagePhotobucket

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...9/IMG_0104.jpg

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Scott
Thanks Please send me a PM to tell me how you posted it.
Rich

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

We can tell you right here. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] 1st the pix should have been resized to 640X480 so it doesn't blow out the screen. IE have to shift the pix from left to right to see the whole thing.

Now how to do it. The pix needs to be uploaded to a server first and it is. Put your curser in the middle of the pix.Right click your mouse. You will get a drop down. Left click [perferances]. A box will show uo with the link. Copy that link by putting the curser on the link and right clicking. A box will drop down and left click copy.

Now we go to the forum page and type [ i m g ] paste the link here [ / i m g ] but don't space it out. I have to do that here as a illistration. If I don't the thing will think I'm trying to post a pix and you will no see what I'm typing. That's it. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Back to the question at hand. How do you want to trim it out?

1st I'd remove the teak and glass and keep it in tack. Someone would like to have it I'm sure.

I'd fashion a panel of 1/4in lauan that made a perfect fit of the inside of that opening. A layer of 4oz or 6oz glass cloth on each side will stiffen it and make it weather proof. Sand , prime and paint. Then I add cletes to the inside to fasten this pannel on. Be sure to seal the edges of the panel and the holes where you drill them. Use screws w/ the finish washers like on the teak to fasten it in to the clets. Clets in this case are just a block of wood. Something like 3/4X 1 1/4in or you could use angle alum to save more space. 1inX1in. You could trim it in a thin piece of teak, but I fear that you will need all the real estate you can get there. Depends on what size units you want to install.

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Warthog
Thank for the lesson on the post and the suggestion, as well. I was thinking about recessing the panel back a few inches, from the front of the console by adding a lip all around, which could be mounted to the inside of the teak frame ( or another frame I would perhaps make out of Starboard). I was also thinking about installing a 2 piece plexiglass cover, on a piano hinge, to give the flush mounted components a bit more protection. I believe SeaVee consoles are made like this. I would use the space between the panel and cover for misc. storage.
Any suggestions on how to build that lip using the luan? Or do I have to make some type of mold? Rich

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Instead of an insert per se, you could attach cleats to the inside perimeter and attach black plexi to it. Then mount the electronics to the plexi.

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

The way Roger said it is what I had in mind, but using lauan covered in fiberglass cloth unstead of Plexiglass.

It's going to take some work on your part as to the recess you talk about. The 1st thing you need in your hands is the electronics that you intend to use. It would be ashame to build all this and then find out the the panel was 1/2in to deep to fit the electronics. Some times the layout print is not enough to take measurements off of. This is because those prints don't take into consideration the cables comming out of the back and not squeezing the hell out of them.

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Warthog
I agree regarding the depth issue. The electronics will include a LCD type of GPS, plus a radar. If I stick with a LCD radar I should be OK but I will triple check the clearance to make sure. My real question was how do I layup the lip for the recessed panel? Do I need to make a mold, use mold release and layup a new piece from scratch or is there some easier way using luan?

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

I don't understand your question. Looking at your pix again, there is what apears to be a lip already behind the Teak trim.

It would depend on how you want to mount the panel, if you need the clets or not. If it's recessed. It will need the clets and the panel may very well need to be in 2 pieces in order to get it in behind that lip.

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Hey Rich-

Why not leave that beautiful teak trim and sliding plexiglass and fabricate a flush mount panel that would fit behind it? It would allow you to keep the dash looking orginal....while providing you with the flush mount you are looking for without having to make a very complex lip.

As far as how to fabricate it is concerned, I would think you would need to make a mold out of lauan or mdf. Before I did that...I would see if a common non-stick cookie sheet or something similiar had the dimensions you are looking for.

-Ed-

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Ed
I'm worried there is just not enough room between the plexi doors and the back of the teak trim to accomodate the radio, radar and GPS faces. That's why I want to put a small lip and recess the tray another inch or so back. Doing so brings me to making a mold, which I'm trying to avoid. I'll take another look at attaching a straight piece of glass directly to the back of the teak and see what I might have and will advise. Rich

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Rich

If your thinking of keeping the same trim set-up, you can cut another strip of teak the same size, glue and sand. That way you will have double the distance from the plexi slide. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I also wanted to keep the original slides so I added a box on top for more storage.

http://www.theboatzone.com/albums/CSteele/res8250.jpg

http://www.theboatzone.com/albums/CSteele/res8251.jpg

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

capt_chuck That's the 1st time I've seen the front side of your console. Neat inlay. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Thanks Bobby

Not really inlay, just dressed up original. Won't be long until the XShark sits in that new house huhhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-007.gif
I'm thinking of a roof over my lift as you know the Fla sun takes it's toll http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-015.gif

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Hey Dink - were you down in Newport 2 weeks ago?

What I've been doing is checking out some kitchen stores trying to find the right size plastic tupperware thingy as to use it as a mold for the shape want. Might be easier that way if you find the right one

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Capt.Chuck
I took some measurements today and have decided to stick with the teak frame,add a small teak filler as you have suggested and then I will fabricate a 1/4" or so piece of glass to flush mount my electronics onto. I like the extra cabinet you added on top. Perhaps next year I'll make somethine similiar as you can never get enough storage. Thanks to all on all the good ideas. I post pictures of the final product.
John: I wasn't in Newport last week but I did take the boat to Niantic Ct for some bass fishing in the Race. I just winterized it today so I'm done until some late winter codfish in CC bay. Dink

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Capt. Chuck

I noticed the lock on your console plexiglass, in the post.

What type of lock is that? Does that center strip of teak get removed when you unlock the hatch? Dink

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Dink

Both plexi pieces slide either way. The teak trim piece with the lock is "screwed" down through the plexi from behind. Therefore it stays put. The plexi is countersunk so the screw heads don't touch the other piece of glass. The lock is a plunge type. When depressed a barrel piece locks into a hole in the second piece locking both plexi pieces together http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-004.gif

Confused?, Maybe I can get some close up pics for ya this week which will make things clearer for you http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-009.gif

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Chuck
Understand the plunge type lock , just never saw one before.
Any idea where to purchase? A picture would be helpful if you get a chance. Thanks Dink

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Dink

You might want to try Ace Hardware or a Locksmith company. Heck even Homers might have it. Mine are solid brass. They are keyed alike and have serviced me many years.

They are actually called " Pin Tumbler Sliding Door/Filing Cabinet Plunger Lock"

Heres a picture [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ck/cabinet.jpg

Re: Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray
 

Rich,

I had the same setup as yours. I removed the whole thing and used a 1/4" piece of Starboard for the face. Very easy -very nice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...O/102_0283.jpg