Recommended materials size for fabricating side console

[ozscott]

Hi all,

I am keen to TIG up a side console for my 4.5 Bluefin. I want to keep it narrow and light but strong enough for some rough bay conditions. I will make it so I can stand and sit at the helm.

I was thinking a basic frame made from a combination of angle alloy, sheet alloy and tube alloy (tube especially for the fold down windscreen frame).

Can anyone who has a side console or has been involved with building this type of thing give me some ideas for design but also wall thickness of the tube (I was thinking 20mm x 3mm) and for the angle alloy and sheet alloy and also the best way to frame it up. I don't have a guillotine but have jigsaw, cut off saw etc. I can also procure a pipe bender or weld up to suit.

Cheers!!!

[bluefin59]

I have a sheet of 3 mm alloy checker plate that would be ideal that I don’t want it’s about 1500 x 1200 . I have plenty of pics of the one I had in my predator it was screw direct to the floor front and side and a bolt into the turn down on the gunnel ,it was always stable and never came loose in 14 yrs.
send me a pm and I will send you my number if you want it at a small cost . Matt

[bluefin59]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/d56fdef9851a9c5ffb376112bf2b5f13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181214/9558a044177453200f5acb953cfac46c.jpg

A20 mm rail would be ideal up where my Perspex screen was and then you could screw a flat bit of Perspex on it for a bit of protection from the elements, the standard setup was great and I used to drive sitting and standing and using like a center console in crap conditions. Matt
I live in Carseldine

[Dignity]

If you are using the tube for hanging on I would go to 32 mm as much easier to hang onto especially for any length of time.

[ozscott]

Many thanks Gents. Matt I will PM you.

Cheers

[bluefin59]

Pm sent . Matt

[gazza2006au]

If your going to build one anything over 1.six mm alloy is good i built a 1.six mm bait tank once finished it was incredibly strong but my o my is it hard to weld that thin stuff u really need a variable foot peddle for the tig mine are just pre set that is why i tig 4mm so i dont blow holes or make it look shit also can mig 4mm too even mig 3mm but try mig 1.six big mess

build a home made sheet metal bender there are videos on youtube how to build one from angle iron and two round hinges i bought like six meters of 10mm thick angle iron to make my fuel tanks for when my big boat is finished, i'd show u my small 55cm bender but its buried out in the shed under all the Etec shit

3 lengths of angle iron that wont flex, 2 round hinges, 10mins to recess the hinges weld her up and shes ready to bend 3 to 4mm thick aluminum sheet

the one i have the 10mm angle iron for is to make a 1.3m wide sheet metal bender for a 1,2m tank the thicker the angle iron it wont bow in the middle when bending and give a nice radius

this was the first guy on youtube to build one everyone else copied than uploaded there own videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjHm3Sz5MdE

[ozscott]

Thanks to Matt - Bluefin - I have a nice bit of alloy sheet to start bending and cutting. It will form the main section of the side console.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[catshark]

side consoles seem to be the flavour at the moment.

[catshark]

hey bluefin , on your rig that long storage area you have on the port side, do you counter balance the drivers weight with any weight inside, or you got some other trick .

[ozscott]

I fabricated up the console and it's come up nicely. I had a 3mm bracket from the console to gunwale (harrow gunwale) and it allowed the console to flex just a little.bit (console also bracketed to top of side pocket and screwed to floor). So today grabbed a 6mm alloy plate offcut and did an outside joined joint and in business. Solid as a rock. I can push my weight against it hard and it doesn't even look like moving. So I will finish off electrics and then do engine wiring. New steering helm and cable in (Teleflex NFB helm and nice cable). Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

This is ithttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190612/f09098cc2af4bc2c5d3d3024809535fe.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

It is no longer a tiller steer. Used TFExtreme cables for the throttle and gear shift that allows 100mm radius bends (very smooth and good for small transom areas). Teleflex NFB helm with dog clutch- no torque steer and can leave steering in any position - like hydraulic but quick helm to helm.

Some photos of finished helm tomorrow.

All in all a lot of fun and seating and standing positions are good.

No flex at all in side console.

Cheershttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190704/37bacef96d99ac2aa54391510cbc0197.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[bluefin59]

hey bluefin , on your rig that long storage area you have on the port side, do you counter balance the drivers weight with any weight inside, or you got some other trick .

The storage on the left is my rod locker ,it can take a 7 foot rod easily and would fit a 9 ft long rod if needed as it has a whole up at the bow to put the end in . I had 2 batteries in that boat that sat on that side as well under the floor in the transom area which counterbalance the boat nicely . Matt
Sorry I just spotted this .

[bluefin59]

It is no longer a tiller steer. Used TFExtreme cables for the throttle and gear shift that allows 100mm radius bends (very smooth and good for small transom areas). Teleflex NFB helm with dog clutch- no torque steer and can leave steering in any position - like hydraulic but quick helm to helm.

Some photos of finished helm tomorrow.

All in all a lot of fun and seating and standing positions are good.

No flex at all in side console.

Cheershttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190704/37bacef96d99ac2aa54391510cbc0197.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Turned out fruit mate ,I hope it makes your boat more useable . Matt

[ozscott]

Thanks Matt. Yep love forward control. Sorry I didn't reply to your PM. Hope you had a good trip. Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

Console https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/a9b6030c1d68f0a5ae334b13fc431ae5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190705/f2300a13a52643d025d4f516478996e5.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[catshark]

whoaa what a seat , straight out of the mercedes... nice job on the side console , its nice that chequerplate finish. good stuff.

[ozscott]

Fellas what is recommendations for.the windscreen. I'm thinking of 3mm wall 30mm (approx) alloy tube (bent using a tube bender) and Lexan say 4mm for the screen.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[gazza2006au]

Scott not sure what bender u plan on using but if its a hydraulic tube bender u may have to tightly.pack the tube with sand and tape both ends before bending also check what grade of alloys can be bent i know some are tough and brittle so in your case it may crack and or kink

Might pay to put some thicker rubber trim on that left side of console i once was caining along in a tinny with 3 mates hit a sand bank no shoes on my toes slid under the aluminium ribs and cut my tie open from memory it hurt

[ozscott]

Thanks mate. I need to make up a wooden jig to do the bending. I don't have a proper pipe bender. The alternative is to buy some straight pipe and 2 x 90 three bends and TIG them together.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Dignity]

If you make a template just take it to a fabricator and get them to supply and bend the pipe.

[Fed]

Got any sparky mates?
Borrow a conduit bender.

[gazza2006au]

Thanks mate. I need to make up a wooden jig to do the bending. I don't have a proper pipe bender. The alternative is to buy some straight pipe and 2 x 90 three bends and TIG them together.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Check Gumtree, Here in Sydney there is a guy who loans out stuff one item is a hydraulic bender u leave a deposit to the value of the bender and pay i think $30 a day you get your refund when u return it

i wouldn't go 90 degree bends on a windscreen brace u could take out a eye if u ever fell over and landed on it

[bluefin59]

Holt marine at Everton Park do ally fabrication they will do it for you I suspect at a small cost . Matt

[ozscott]

Check Gumtree, Here in Sydney there is a guy who loans out stuff one item is a hydraulic bender u leave a deposit to the value of the bender and pay i think $30 a day you get your refund when u return it

i wouldn't go 90 degree bends on a windscreen brace u could take out a eye if u ever fell over and landed on it90 degree pipe elbows mate so not right angle in the square section sense. Nice curve. Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

Holt marine at Everton Park do ally fabrication they will do it for you I suspect at a small cost . MattThanks Matt. I will.call.them. Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

What thickness Plexi? 4.5 or 6mm?

Cheers

Ps. I used Lexan years ago to.redo a.Haines screen. From memory it was 4.5mm. Good but a little bit flimsy feeling (stronger than it felt but)

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[ozscott]

Rang them Matt thanks. So even doing this windscreen myself it's still a $400 approx exercise with all materials. The screen can only be 500 x 740 to clear everything so windblown spray would still likely get me when seated and when standing the screen would be about 340mm below the top of my head. Would take a while to fabricate up too.

So I am wondering whether it's worth it. I like the wind in my face but on rough days the spray is a pain especially with specs. I don't know whether the 740 high off the 800 high console x 500 wide would really cut much anyway as the 500 wide starts about 250mm inboard of the gunwale...

When it would be up it would get in the way of lure casting unless I was up on the front or rear casting decks but there is often someone casting from the main deck.

Any thoughts appreciated... I think I have probably almost talked myself out of it!

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[gazza2006au]

Hey scott i think realistically it wont work because your sitting up so high but astetically u could make a small one to suit the boat so it looks in place

Instead of using a bar or tube have u thought about bending the perspex around the sides for added strength?

[ozscott]

Thanks Gazza. I am thinking if i make one I might as well make it work as a genuine wind and spray break. I am looking at making it 500mm wide and 740mm tall off the centre console. That would give me complete coverage (except for spray blown around the side, but I could rake it and put wings on it to give me more protection) when seated and I could stand and look over the top rail (frame) of it.

I took the boat out and the side console is excellent. Really love having forward control again and very comfortable to use. Took a lot of planning and fabrication but it turned out very well and is very solid.

The only possible downsides to such a tall screen is 1. Wind resistance/acts like a sale if wind from the front or back when drifting or spot locked 2. casting off the cast platforms is OK but off the floor, it will get in the way (but this will be a fold down design so i can drop it pretty quickly when not needed (it will only take up a bit of room when folded).

Any ideas appreciated.

Cheers

[ozscott]

All done. Very happy with it. Designed and fabricated it all at home.

Cheers https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190728/16f4f26cba1f2e08d9f2238ce8b983d5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190728/973067536c3277b87f5f6ac47d71be97.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[gazza2006au]

Looks decent how did u bend the aluminium tubing?

[ozscott]

Looks decent how did u bend the aluminium tubing?Mate I used a $159 on special Trade Tools Pipe Bender and filled the tube with sand to ensure nice bends and no cracks. Worked very well and easy enough to do.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[gazza2006au]

Was that the manual hand bender or a hydraulic bender? Bent it really nice

[ozscott]

Gazza it was the hydraulic 12 Tonn. The sand fill is the key. Cheers

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk