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custom fabrication question
#11342351
01/13/16 03:02 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473
K.D.
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473 |
Here is a photo of a console on a 2004 G3 hp180. I just bought such a boat. My question is how can I get a replacement insert made if I wanted to eliminate the tach and speedo, relocate small gauges to bottom locations and then install a side scan in the console? Would you have something made from carbon fiber or aluminum? Any ideas and cost estimates would be greatly appreciated
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342385
01/13/16 03:13 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390
Andrew Y'Barbo
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390 |
G3 consoles are not as durable as they need to be for big waves and heavy graphs. I always recommend people to use ram mounts with fender washers and locking nuts
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342397
01/13/16 03:15 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473
K.D.
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473 |
I understand. Im thinking will require reinforcing which ever way I go. I don't think the plastic console is very strong either. So if I'm gonna have to customize it, it might as well be in the dash is my thinking.
And for what it's worth, I have a 898 si I want to use. I have no clue if this is relatively simple or a crazy idea
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342490
01/13/16 03:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,961
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,961 |
Congrats on your boat. Lexan, Carbon fiber, and Acrylic/ABS seem to be popular choices. This guy has a three part video on youtube using ABS
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342620
01/13/16 05:49 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390
Andrew Y'Barbo
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390 |
Yes sir. I was referring to ram mounting on the side gunnel. I would use a piece of 3/16" aluminum plate with 3/16"x2" strap for backing. That graph is on the light side. Should be fine. Bolt the gimble bracket to the plate.
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342667
01/13/16 10:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 845
Rickmb
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 845 |
I plan to make my next insert out of this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JPHT...ailpage_o04_s00It might be over kill but I will be hanging two graphs from it. HDPE is very strong and resists stress cracking. It's also cheap and easy to work with. Aluminum is a good choice but it needs to be aircraft grade (hardened). Its a little more difficult to work with and tougher on tools. Carbon fiber is good but is expensive. It is very strong and very light. Probably need at least a 3mm thick panel, 4mm even better. It is easy on tools and easy to shape and looks cool. Acrylic is not good for this application. It is brittle and can shatter. ABS is OK. It can develop stress cracks over time and fail with heavy loads. It has a low melting temp so low rpm tools to get the best results but it also means you can shape it somewhat with a heat gun. Lexan is a good product but more expensive than other alternatives.
2018 Skeeter ZX250 2018 Yamaha 250 SHO
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342762
01/13/16 01:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,400
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,400 |
I built a mount out of 1" thick acrylic (Plexiglass) to mount two Helix 7 units on the side of my console. It seems really strong. And absolutely flex free. The factory brackets are by far the weak link. I did that yesterday. Today, I think, I will get our metal fab guy at work to make me something out of aluminum. He welds. I glue and screw. Haha. I agree that acrylic ages and becomes brittle. The thicker stuff not so much, but it still does. I also made a very low profile mount for the bow units. This was done from steel and I had it powder coated yesterday. Will see how it works. As for flush mounting? Easy enough. Cut an opening that is very close in size, tape up the graph with good masking tape, insert it into the rough opening. After its in, fill the gaps with body filler. Remove the graph (the bondo will not stick to the tape, making it easy. When removed, it will leave a perfect opening for the graph. Then just sand the panel to the desired texture and paint. I do this all the time with iPads in cars.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11342892
01/13/16 02:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,961
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,961 |
This guy did a great job with fiberglass
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11344244
01/13/16 11:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 164
whybass
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 164 |
don't think anyone caught this but no way and I mean no way I would do away with the tach as this is one of the most important parts of your motor
Last edited by bill25; 01/13/16 11:41 PM.
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11344249
01/13/16 11:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,862
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,862 |
I would leave the dash like it is and use a ram mount also but what you want can be done with either a graphite, Lexan or aluminum panel. It wouldn't be too hard to do .
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: ezbassin]
#11344347
01/14/16 12:32 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,307
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,307 |
Get the ram mount, you'll be glad you did.
I hate photobucket.
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11344367
01/14/16 12:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,757
Delvec
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,757 |
Here is a photo of a console on a 2004 G3 hp180. I just bought such a boat. My question is how can I get a replacement insert made if I wanted to eliminate the tach and speedo, relocate small gauges to bottom locations and then install a side scan in the console? Would you have something made from carbon fiber or aluminum? Any ideas and cost estimates would be greatly appreciated Welcome back to boat ownership KD
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11344372
01/14/16 12:42 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473
K.D.
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473 |
That's what I've decided to do. I'm gonna buy a hpde cutting board and make a top and bottom backing to reinforce the plastic console. Then mount the ram through that. I just don't want to deal with the flex of a plastic console that's already bee drilled through previously.
Thanks for all the input
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Re: custom fabrication question
[Re: K.D.]
#11344376
01/14/16 12:43 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473
K.D.
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473 |
Thanks delvec...
Break out another thousand
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