21 replies to this topic

[MiniFTW]

Hi, I am thinking about making a center console for my mini. Tonight iv quickly cut out one side of a console but I need some advice on materials and also about how you have done them in the past if you have made a center console before... Anyway, here's a few of what i'v done.








What materials would you use? I was thinking of using a ply wood either 3/4 or 1/2 " thick

What do people use to pull the pieces together, would the joint blocks i'm using here be fine?

If any one has pics of one's they have done it would be helpful,
Cheers

[mk1leg]

Use 6mm ply much easier to cut and shape..........and use triangular blocks of wood and use a strong wood glue as the plastic things you are using will work loose.......... or you could use a bead ot sicaflex bonding along the edge and clamp them together from a builders yard.............

[MiniFTW]

I was worried about them working loose, especially with how much my mini vibrates Thanks mk1leg, will get to work on it asap.

[Ado1379]

i just screwed mine in from the sides straight through...
in the way of materials, i used 10mm ply, however, with hindsight i wish id have used 6mm. Once its in you dont get a lot of room for your clutch foot :/ i also acquired some 'chromium sheets' off ebay and lined the edges. in my opinion it looks quite cool ;)

[MiniFTW]

i just screwed mine in from the sides straight through...
in the way of materials, i used 10mm ply, however, with hindsight i wish id have used 6mm. Once its in you dont get a lot of room for your clutch foot :/ i also acquired some 'chromium sheets' off ebay and lined the edges. in my opinion it looks quite cool ;)

very nice, looks very smart! I have also done mine in 10mm (sorry mk1leg) I just couldn't justify paying £30 for the ply from wickes its disgusting! I found some 10mm down the garden and had ago I was worried about the clutch room, but I will just have to get used to it if its tight.

This was my attempt at a console.

[Ado1379]

looks nice mate, what finish are you going for? i did mine for a gcse project at school and received an 'A' ;)

[A362 TTU]

Anyone got dimensions to share?

Thanks :) - they both look good. what are you doing about heater airflow...

[bluesprite]

Is (9mm) MDF no good for making a centre console?

Is there any reason why you couldn't just cut away some of the right panel to make more room near the clutch?

[MiniFTW]

Anyone got dimensions to share?

Thanks :) - they both look good. what are you doing about heater airflow...

I will see if I can find the PDF if you would like to make one, the PDF contains all the angles and measurements you need. I used it and it worked fine, and was pretty straight forward. However I need to make some slight adjustments to get it to fit better probably down to my error when working out curves.

Is (9mm) MDF no good for making a centre console?

Is there any reason why you couldn't just cut away some of the right panel to make more room near the clutch?

The problem with MDF is its soft wood, it all depends how you are fixing the pieces of the console together, my one is held using screws and screws are likely to pull out the wood when putting it under stress when its assembled, MDF wouldn't be a problem if you took the approach mk1leg mentioned. Unfortunatly I cant use this approach due to the covering I am using on the console. Hope this helps

Edited by MiniFTW, 26 March 2012 - 08:23 PM.

[bluesprite]

http://www.theminifo...ards-wheelarch/

plenty of templates including the centre console


Thanks for the tip about MDF! I'll bear it in mind if I have a go at building one.

[MiniFTW]

looks nice mate, what finish are you going for? i did mine for a gcse project at school and received an 'A' ;)

Alcantara finish to match the interior I'm currently doing for my mini project, just got the roof lining and console left to make It will be similar to my door cards.

[Ado1379]

very nice mate... let us know when your done.
and about cutting a part of the right side out for your clutch foot, there designs out there that incorporate this, however i had already put the vinyl finish on mine and fitted it before i realised. but who knows maybe one day i shall finish it...

[MiniFTW]

very nice mate... let us know when your done.
and about cutting a part of the right side out for your clutch foot, there designs out there that incorporate this, however i had already put the vinyl finish on mine and fitted it before i realised. but who knows maybe one day i shall finish it...

Have you installed yours? Does it bother you if you have. I mean I cant really see it bothering me to much even if my foot touches it occasionally when I press the clutch its no biggy to me

[bluesprite]

I think the problem is where to put your foot when you aren't using the clutch pedal, not having your foot rub the console when you're using the clutch. But I don't know, I've never fitted one

[lulu85ritz]

I did mine from 6mm ply and looks amazing!