by "Tripper" (tripe46)
Published 05/29/2017 at 18:18
by "Tripper" (tripe46)
Published 05/29/2017 at 18:18
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STARS: 28
I was bored after work on Friday, so I started making a wood console lid for my Ranger. I had intended to wait until I had a router bit to cut the shape, but I decided to use a cheaper piece of wood and just go for it with the jigsaw. I’ve never used a router before, and I’ve never fabricated anything from scratch for a car before so I figured this would turn out terrible. Some how it turned out great!
I went with a “gun stock” colored stain, as it’s a reddish color and the truck itself is very red. Unfortunately I have to wait a whole week for the polyurethane to fully cure before I can install it. I saved the hardware from the original console lid and measured everything out so that it latches properly. I used two applications of stain, 3 coats of polyurethane. Previously (on other things I have built) I used the stain/poly combo stuff which does not finish nearly as nice.
Below are the progress pics if anyone is interested.
Rough shape checking fit:
Edges routed and hit with 180 grit:
Fitting the hardware & latch (video):
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
I then sanded the uneven spots on the edges, re routed the edges, and finished with 220 grit before I started with the stain:
Next came the coats of polyurethane:
All done!
I still plan to do it over again with a nicer piece of wood as I will be able to make the cut “perfect” with the router, but I am really pleased with the final product for this go around.
"TorqueToYield" (torquetoyield)
05/29/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 2
A week for poly to cure seems a bit much. In my experience its more important to let the stain fully cure for a few days so it doesn’t bubble under the poly, but after a day or so the poly will be fine to use as long as it’s not a wear application (flooring or whatever).
Looks great though. I really like that color.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
Thanks man. I just went with the instructions on the can(s). The stain said 8-24 hours before poly, and the poly said 2 hours in between coats and not more than 2 coats per day-48 hours before light used and a week before it’s fully cured. I’m going camping Wed-Friday, so I will wait until I’m back to throw it on.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
05/29/2017 at 18:27, STARS: 0
Looks great. Any plans for matching trim?
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 0
Definitely, but I need to step up my wood game several notches before I can do trim (I think) haha. I’m going to do the whole console on a friends boat, so hopefully after that I will be a little more confident.
The Ranger is going to be a lifer, and I’ve got a pile of parts to install but once all of that is done hopefully I will be ready to do trim.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/29/2017 at 18:31, STARS: 0
Very nice!
Was the old lid in bad shape?
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
05/29/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 0
That looks amazing
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 2
Thanks! And yes, massive elbow wear. From what I have read, they all end up like this.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 0
Thanks man, I’m super pumped on it.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
05/29/2017 at 18:40, STARS: 1
That’s about how the center arm rest in my 1997 Explorer looked.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:42, STARS: 1
Somebody on ebay sells ones that he has reinforced with metal, but they’re ugly and he wants $120!
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/29/2017 at 18:42, STARS: 0
That came out great! Maybe the next one could be a bit thicker so it sits flush with the cupholder.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
05/29/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 1
I was going to replace mine with one from a junkyard, but they’re all like that.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 1
I’m glad someone pointed that out haha. I would probably stick with this one if it was the proper thickness. It gets pretty close with the latch installed, but still not flush. I’ve got a really nice piece of Japanese maple for the next one, but I wanted to make sure that I know what I’m doing before I screw up a really nice piece.
"pjhusa" (pjhuskinja)
05/29/2017 at 18:46, STARS: 1
Wow, I like it! The wood definitely adds a touch of class to the interior.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
05/29/2017 at 18:51, STARS: 1
Very nice work!
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:55, STARS: 0
Thanks!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/29/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 1
That looks great!
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 0
Thank you!
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
05/29/2017 at 19:50, STARS: 0
Yeah it’s good you did a practice one.
"Shoop" (shoopdawoop993)
05/29/2017 at 19:53, STARS: 0
hmmm..my truck could use a large piece of dead tree right in the center console
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
05/29/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0
could you just install some rubber feet and a spacer for the latch so that it sits higher but you dont have to remake it?
looks good. now for the arm rests and the dashboard
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 0
Yes, actually it get super close with the latch mounted. I want to re do it for two reasons. One is that I have a really nice piece of wood for it, and secondly, I can make the inside corner cut perfectly with a router. It’s still a little angular from the jigsaw.