Author Topic: Nanook Center Console Mod (Read 46098 times)

ericzerka24 · « **on:** Jan 10, 2012, 11:25 AM »

Alright I'm sick and tired of not having any ice around here yet so I decided to work on a center console for my shanty. Cardboard works really nice for mocking up prototypes. Saves lots of $$$ and time.

I started off with a wider and slightly taller version:

After looking it over I decided that it was a little to big for what I needed and so I shaved 6 inches off the width and 1 inch off the height and ended up with this:

The switch panel on the front will run:
- Upper lights which I ran the wires though the pole. I ordered another set of lights to mount under my seats and also one strip for inside the center console. (Thanks Sigmoney for the light idea)
- 12v aerator for the minnow bucket.
- iphone charger so pandora doesn't suck the life out of my battery anymore!

I will keep posting updates as I work on this.

Big - D OBG · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 10, 2012, 11:31 AM »

Looking good so far

buckzone101 · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 10, 2012, 01:03 PM »

why dont you just fiberglass the cardboard??? n put hinges on the lid? looks good man

peon · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 02:29 PM »

Quote from: buckzone101 on Jan 10, 2012, 01:03 PM

why dont you just fiberglass the cardboard??? n put hinges on the lid? looks good man

x2

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 06:35 PM »

Thats a really great idea with the fiberglass buckzone101. I was kind of worried about how much weight the wood was going to add to my shanty.

Looks like its off to menards tomorrow for some fiberglass resin and cloth. I've never messed with fiberglass before so this should be interesting! haha

buckzone101 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 07:33 PM »

yeah ik how you feel bout the first time fiber glass, i havent actually done any yet myself, but i would do like 2 layers of mat all around the outside then i would just coat the inside of the cardboard with resin..then sand n paint wire up and finish the little things n hook in.

Greg2ha · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 09:52 PM »

Great ideas!

Big - D OBG · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 08:42 AM »

I havent done it yet, but from what I have been reading you should cover your mold with saran wrap or plastic. Make sure that it is tight with no wrinkles or spots sticking up. Then coat it in wax or something so that the mat wont stick to it. Then put your mat on, and coat it with resin. Criss-cross your first layer and second layer. This will provide some more rigidity.

Keep us updated on the progress

buckzone101 · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 08:56 AM »

Quote from: Big - D OBG on Jan 12, 2012, 08:42 AM

I havent done it yet, but from what I have been reading you should cover your mold with saran wrap or plastic. Make sure that it is tight with no wrinkles or spots sticking up. Then coat it in wax or something so that the mat wont stick to it. Then put your mat on, and coat it with resin. Criss-cross your first layer and second layer. This will provide some more rigidity.

Keep us updated on the progress

no what i mean is fiberglass the cardboard not just use it as a moldcause after the cardboard gets soaked inside and out with resin it will be as tough as wood but lighter, and the mat is to add regidity to the cardboard..

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:28 AM »

I don't really feel like getting into bondo body fill and a ton of sanding on this project so I stopped at the local pontoon shop down the road yesterday and picked up some carpet to wrap it with once it's finished. I also added some seperators inside the cabinet. I will post more pics in a few minutes.

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:45 AM »

Alright so here is the carpet that I plan on finishing it with:

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:46 AM »

The edges in my shanty are rounded so in order to get this to fit better, I had to round the edges of the console.

buckzone101 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:48 AM »

sweet cant wait to see it done!!

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:52 AM »

And here are some compartments that I added to the inside of the console:

Without Gear:

With Gear:

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 10:05 AM »

I'm going to be adding 2 cup holders to the front but other than that, shes ready for fiberglass!

Once finished with the carpet, I'm thinking about adding 2 pieces of pvc to each side of the console in the rear next to the minnow bucket. I wanna notch them out for rod holders. Brainstorming....we'll see

buckzone101 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 10:15 AM »

sweet and the hod holders should work but get big washers and use bolts and put the washers agains the outside and inside of the box to help dissapate the force thats going to be put on them from the bolts.. it will help it from cracking the fiberglass..

Big - D OBG · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 11:06 AM »

Thats pretty sweet. Going right over the cardboard should make it more rigid as well. Cant wait to see the progress

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 12:57 PM »

Got the holes cut out for cup holders:

Ran into problems with the trash bag shelf being to high:

Lowered the shelf and also put braces around the cup holder area for extra strength:

Ready for glass:

buckzone101 · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 01:01 PM »

that looks sweet man!!

peon · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 13, 2012, 02:55 PM »

Painting it would look killer!

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #20 on:** Jan 13, 2012, 07:51 PM »

Yes it would especially with my buddies new air brush. I don't wanna get myself into that much work. I have some much needed ice fishing to get busy with

peon · « **Reply #21 on:** Jan 13, 2012, 11:22 PM »

Have you thought of mounting a radio and speakers in it??

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #22 on:** Jan 16, 2012, 11:26 PM »

Quote from: peon on Jan 13, 2012, 11:22 PM

Have you thought of mounting a radio and speakers in it??

I use my iphone for a radio but I did think about speakers. Those can always be added in later if I ever get bored. Very possible with this BS winter.

chucknduck · « **Reply #23 on:** Jan 17, 2012, 01:51 AM »

That's bad a$$! Can't wait to see the finished product. I might have to build one

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #24 on:** Jan 17, 2012, 07:53 PM »

Got the first layer of fiberglass on. This is some messy stuff! After 2 hours it seemed to be drying pretty quick. I'm gunna try to get a second layer on it tomorrow if I get a chance.

prospector · « **Reply #25 on:** Jan 17, 2012, 08:02 PM »

Very cool project! please give details of your experience with fiber. I am hoping to follow in your footsteps soon!

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #26 on:** Jan 17, 2012, 08:30 PM »

Well for starters, DO NOT wear good clothes cuz this stuff gets everywhere!

Wear a long sleeve shirt or gloves that cover your arms. Fiberglass resin and hairy arms don't go together!

When you cut the cloth into smaller strips, it starts shredding and gets tangled into a gooey mess. I found out that it is much easier to just keep covering the entire thing with cloth and once it starts drying, then work on flatening it out. Otherwise, it keeps slowly popping up.

Wear a facemask/respirator, this stuff is strong!

That's about all I've got for now. I'll report back after round 2.

Big - D OBG · « **Reply #27 on:** Jan 18, 2012, 08:36 AM »

Coming along really nice

jbird68 · « **Reply #28 on:** Jan 18, 2012, 08:34 PM »

fiberglass is messy. I helped a friend put a new floor in his boat and them fiberglass and paint it and carpet it.

just a couple questions.

1) could you wrap your strip over the edge of your holes and fold to the underside of the box? that way you won't have fibers sticking out over the edge.

2) did the cardboard retain any rigidity after soaking it with the resin? Doesn't look like it is sagging anywhere.

ericzerka24 · « **Reply #29 on:** Jan 18, 2012, 10:12 PM »

I tried wrapping it around the edges and it didn't stay down very well. I just got home from work and I gotta get up early to do some fishing before work tomorrow. I'll be out around 3pm tomorrow to go check on it and see how its drying.

News:

Author Topic: Nanook Center Console Mod (Read 46098 times)