Building a Console Electronics Mounting Tray

RS · #1 11-22-2004, 11:23 PM

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.

warthog5 · #2 11-23-2004, 01:04 PM

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.

thedink9 · #3 11-23-2004, 01:44 PM

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?

warthog5 · #4 11-23-2004, 06:20 PM

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.

Ed · #5 11-23-2004, 08:35 PM

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-

thedink9 · #6 11-23-2004, 10:10 PM

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

Capt Chuck · #7 11-23-2004, 11:10 PM

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.