"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 18:18 • Filed to: None | 28 | 22 |
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):
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
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:22 | 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
> TorqueToYield
05/29/2017 at 18:26 | 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
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:27 | 0 |
Looks great. Any plans for matching trim?
Tripper
> AestheticsInMotion
05/29/2017 at 18:31 | 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
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:31 | 0 |
Very nice!
Was the old lid in bad shape?
Honeybunchesofgoats
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:34 | 0 |
That looks amazing
Tripper
> Urambo Tauro
05/29/2017 at 18:34 | 2 |
Thanks! And yes, massive elbow wear. From what I have read, they all end up like this.
Tripper
> Honeybunchesofgoats
05/29/2017 at 18:35 | 0 |
Thanks man, I’m super pumped on it.
E90M3
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:40 | 1 |
That’s about how the center arm rest in my 1997 Explorer looked.
Tripper
> E90M3
05/29/2017 at 18:42 | 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
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:42 | 0 |
That came out great! Maybe the next one could be a bit thicker so it sits flush with the cupholder.
E90M3
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:44 | 1 |
I was going to replace mine with one from a junkyard, but they’re all like that.
Tripper
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
05/29/2017 at 18:44 | 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
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:46 | 1 |
Wow, I like it! The wood definitely adds a touch of class to the interior.
MM54
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 18:51 | 1 |
Very nice work!
Tripper
> MM54
05/29/2017 at 18:55 | 0 |
Thanks!
WilliamsSW
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 19:07 | 1 |
That looks great!
Tripper
> WilliamsSW
05/29/2017 at 19:07 | 0 |
Thank you!
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 19:50 | 0 |
Yeah it’s good you did a practice one.
Shoop
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 19:53 | 0 |
hmmm..my truck could use a large piece of dead tree right in the center console
OPPOsaurus WRX
> Tripper
05/29/2017 at 21:38 | 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
> OPPOsaurus WRX
05/29/2017 at 22:22 | 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.