thingybox Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I made two of these last year to sell; one is fitted in my 90 and the other is a pattern for future reference (neither are for sale). The idea being that I could make enough money to see me through January, February and March as work goes extremely quiet during this period; we're temporarily laid off until the festival season and touring kicks off in April (it's then manic until December). I used Maranti because it's quite a stable hard wood (the same material is used for front doors, door and window frames in houses), it's hard-wearing and relatively inexpensive. Walnut, including labour and a small profit, was out of the question due to the price of the raw material (£60 per cubic foot). Mahogany and oak make it slightly more expensive than maranti but much cheaper than walnut. However, maranti is quite beautiful in itself, the overall colour is a reddy brown with golden hues in bright light. I finished the items with Dutch Oil to bring out the grain and protect the wood from insects and moisture. Furthermore, the oil has to be re-applied every twelve months to maintain it's appearance and increase it's life. Below are photos of the item fitted and two close ups: What do you think? I would be interested in hearing your comments - good, bad or indifferent! I have a few other ideas to improve the dashboard top by losing the ashtray and creating places in which to store bits and pieces such as change, keys, pens, etc; a matching console to incorporate switches, CB, etc; and, a matching centre cubby box. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Hmm classy, Lovely craftsman ship but it kinda looks a bit out of place without any other wood to balance it out, been in a damp landy too I'd may be a bit worried it might warp?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Nice. Will you do one for me please but bering it out so it's the same depth as the instrument binnacle..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingybox Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thank you! It doesn't get anymore damp than this: The hood's been on the vehicle for nearly four years, it's never garaged and leaks like a sieve (in prolonged downpours) on the top front corners of the doors. The dashboard has been fitted for approximately 11 months and it's a solid piece of seasoned hard wood with six coats of Dutch Oil, it's unlikely that it will warp! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 That looks beautiful Bob, but not something that really fits with my truck sadly . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Barrett Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Brilliant piece of work. I'm torn on whether it looks out of place or not. Its probably not and just the pictures that don't do it justice. 10/10 for effort though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillis Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 looks nice but, if was on my truck i would have it without the ash tray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landy-Novice Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 nice craftsman ship but it looks odd? it looks out of place, try replacing more tirim things so it looks more 'at home' if you get me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtray Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 well i think on my td5 dash it would look awesome! Gd Work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashtray Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 would cherry work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I made a new dash too!! Thought I would share it with you as well............ It can hold a cup of tea which was important. And I made a mobile telephone holder/sat nav holder for when driving. I think it is an important upgrade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingybox Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thank you for your input, it's given me something to think about! Eds, that's a great idea! Have you thought about cutting out rounded rectangular holes with a jigsaw and screwing/bonding thin aluminium sheet or 2mm chequer plate underneath the holes? You would then have 'trays' to store bits and pieces without them sliding along the dashboard whilst you're driving! Ashtray, any hard wood would be sufficent. Cherry is a beautiful wood as is 'birds eye' maple or, even better, 'tiger' maple (very difficult to source in this country). I'm not too sure about oak... Oak is beautiful too, got great waterproof properties but once seasoned it's as hard as steel, any movement in the wood (contraction and expansion) may cause damage to the bulkhead, it's that strong! Over time, however, oak goes grey and needs to be regularly oiled to maintain it's appearance. The alternative (and probably the best) is Iroko, a Japanese hard wood with a tight grain and natural waterproofing properties. It's half the cost of oak and, over time, becomes a dark golden brown! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eds Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I do need to make some divisions/compartments as things do fly around a bit when cornering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thank you for your input, it's given me something to think about! Eds, that's a great idea! Have you thought about cutting out rounded rectangular holes with a jigsaw and screwing/bonding thin aluminium sheet or 2mm chequer plate underneath the holes? You would then have 'trays' to store bits and pieces without them sliding along the dashboard whilst you're driving! Ashtray, any hard wood would be sufficent. Cherry is a beautiful wood as is 'birds eye' maple or, even better, 'tiger' maple (very difficult to source in this country). I'm not too sure about oak... Oak is beautiful too, got great waterproof properties but once seasoned it's as hard as steel, any movement in the wood (contraction and expansion) may cause damage to the bulkhead, it's that strong! Over time, however, oak goes grey and needs to be regularly oiled to maintain it's appearance. The alternative (and probably the best) is Iroko, a Japanese hard wood with a tight grain and natural waterproofing properties. It's half the cost of oak and, over time, becomes a dark golden brown! Bob Iroko is a beautiful wood but the dust when working it is horrible on the throat!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny S Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 What about accoya? Should be up to it.. No warping at all. Ronny S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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