Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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!!!
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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
Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...12bf2b5f13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...953cfac46c.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
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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.
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
Many thanks Gents. Matt I will PM you.
Cheers
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
side consoles seem to be the flavour at the moment.
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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 .
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
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/201...510cbc0197.jpg
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
Quote:
Originally Posted by
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 .
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 .
Re: Recommended materials size for fabricating side console
Quote:
Originally Posted by
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.
Cheers
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...510cbc0197.jpg
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Turned out fruit mate ,I hope it makes your boat more useable . Matt