center console material

boogerboy72 · 12-20-2003, 05:18 AM

Im going to start building a center console soon. Ive got access to saws and the like to cut it out. I Do however need to know what kind of wood i should use for the acctual thing. Im planning on putting speakers in the side, if that makes a difference. Can somebody help me out by advising what type of woodI should be using. Or should i use some completly different than wood all together, like particle board?
Thanks a bunch
clay

CHAZZ · 12-20-2003, 05:45 AM

I would use exteior/marine plywood, not particle board. You havn't said if you are going to paint or cover the console. Remeber
your plywood should have one side that is "A". This is a two letter rating system stamped on the plywood. This is the smooth, knot free side that should face out.

Chuck

boogerboy72 · 12-20-2003, 05:49 AM

oh thanks, i am planning on covering it with carpet that matches the interior. Can you get that wood at places like lowes?

CHAZZ · 12-20-2003, 05:54 AM

Yes
As long as there are not deep knots or inperfections in the plywood and you are going to cover it with carpet, you could go
with a sheet of C/D - common exterior plywood or strand board

WOODPIE · 12-20-2003, 06:35 AM

Boog

I'd suggest using .250" baltic birch plywood. It is more $$ than other material, and might be harder to find, but it has advantages. It is very strong, will hold screws well, and will resist warping from high humidity conditions. You could check a high quality cabinet shop in your area, they might have smaller pieces and scraps big enough for you to work with, but they'd still want a few dollars since the stuff is pricey.

I've made new speaker boxes for one of my teens from BB plywood that look almost exactly like the stock boxes, except about one inch deeper. They're about five years old now, and are still solid, despite being held together with glue only. This in a compartment that sometimes gets very humid, if you know what I mean.

Ed

boogerboy72 · 12-20-2003, 06:40 AM

aight, ill have to start looking aroung. im sure that my grand dad could find some, him being the wood woring guy and all. Ill be sure to get back with yall when i finish it.

Greg Derr · 12-20-2003, 04:17 PM

Ditto on the Baltic Birch- less voids in the layers and more layers per inch. Also very nice to cut.

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

Hi: remember to angle the excelerator peddle side away from it ,to gain enough clearence for your right foot . put a small wooden block at the front to stablize it. But this may interfere with your speaker plans. You have a lot to get inside it ,with some way to hold the top to geather and to the dash,and to the floorboards,wireing harness takes room also. I concur on the baltic plywood ,very easy to work with . It's worth the extra cost,
on completion please post pictures .

Dave

boogerboy72 · 12-21-2003, 10:25 AM

the only speakers that are going in it at going to be 2 tweeters, and 2 6 1/4in subs. Im just getting a componet setup and using the midrage speakers in the stock location. but ill have to start looking for that wood

philinjax · 12-22-2003, 04:33 PM

The plans for the center console..........

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2F914france.ifrance.com%2F9 14france%2Fconsole.htm&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

Phil

DrEBerg · 12-26-2003, 07:59 AM

I dunno wouldn't just be easier to refinish an old one?

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

If you what to refinish ,I can provide the right ,left,and gauge panels in need or recovering. If you interested E-mail or P.M. me
thanks Dave

Ron Meier · 12-26-2003, 08:08 AM

Quote:

I dunno wouldn't just be easier to refinish an old one?

Nope, way to simple Dr.

boogerboy72 · 12-26-2003, 08:41 AM

and to expensive, plus, im not putting gauges in it yet, i dont have the money, or the need, but maybe later on id like to get at least an engine temp gauge in it. But all im using it for is to keep a cdplayer in. Id like to keep the dash looking stock. And i need a place for speakers. lol

CHAZZ · 12-26-2003, 02:23 PM

For speakers I often wonder how an overhead set up, like used
in Jeep Wranglers, would work??? Mounted on the back bar

Chuck

boogerboy72 · 12-26-2003, 03:47 PM

Hm.....i dont know, im 5'7 right now and not done growing. I think that might be a little to close to my ears. im just going to put jbl or momo speakers in the stock panel and then a componet setup from the same company with, mabey, 6 1/4 inch subs and tweeters.

hargray2 · 12-26-2003, 05:17 PM

The best location for speakers is the stock location. This place gives the most equal distance from each speaker to each ear. If the speakers are above your head, you end up with one speaker right at your head and the other is a couple feet away. Buy a 5 1/4" components set and install in the factory location or in the doors near factory location. These sets are the best way to go for sound quality. Buy the most expensive set you possibly can, you really do get what you pay for! I would not even bother with the crappy oval speakers if you are going for sound quality.
Save that money and put a decent amp on that component set! If you have not bought the head unit yet, get one with the highest preamp output voltage. This setup will create the brightest highs you have ever
heard and you will hear small details of the music that you never knew were there! Before you buy any amplifiers, check out US Acoustics. These amps have the same THD and power output capabilities of other brands that cost WAY more. http://www.usacoustics.com/

Ron Meier · 12-27-2003, 06:08 AM

No open sports car needs a high end sound system. You're supposed to be listening to the engine to get that testosterone rush as the tires squeal as you bend it into a tight corner and................,

boogerboy72 · 12-27-2003, 06:25 AM

its a 1.7, im not sure the whole tire squeal thing will apply. lol. but im going to spend a good deal of time in my car, and my music is very important to me. Hargary, can you explain how to mount the componet speakers? I thought that you get the componet setup, which consits of 2 subs and 2 tweeters, and a 5X7 for the stock space. Am i doing something wrong here?
thanks guys
clay

hargray2 · 12-27-2003, 11:11 PM

No man, you aren't doing anything wrong neccesarily. I only suggest that you don't buy the 5x7's unless you already have, then use them.
They'll sound ok. If you are going to get the component set, then you really are wasting money on the 5x7's. The components will easily outperform the 5x7's and make them almost useless--Believe me! I would try to buy a set of stock speaker grills that have already been cut,
if yours haven't been cut already. Mount the components in those.
The component sets actually do not come with subs. The set consists of 2 midrange speakers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossover networks. Subwoofers are for low end bass only. You definitely want to put a proper amp on the component set. I'll check back to see if you have more questions.