replacing dash

[awthacker]

I made this template with a piece of 1/4" plexi glass. I was going to paint the backside black. Well, my jig saw blade melted the plastic as it cut and it was a pain in the ***. Finally, my blade got melted stuck and I broke the plexi trying to free up the blade. So it became a template instead of the final product.

Now, after fitting it to the boat, the depthsounder is too deep and bumps into the helm where the red circle is. So I can just cut that out a little, but before I do would like your opinions on the layout.

What layout would you guys do... What type gauges and what locations (I was thinking two 4" gauges top/bottom)? What material (the plexi doesn't seem very durable)?

[spareparts]

plex will work, I use a Bosch varible speed jig saw with a fine tooth blade, i cut it slow and avoid melting the plastic. You may be able to find a better grade of plexi to work with, try asking at a sign shop

[phatdaddy]

i would put the steering wheel back on before you make any final decision. are the 2 gauges a tach and speedo? with gps i don't think a speedo is necessary, i'd rather have a temp and water pressure.

[Destroyer]

I agree with Phatdaddy.. put your wheel on first, so you get a better idea of how it will all go together. Then, just like Spareparts said, turn your saw down real slow and use a fine tooth blade. (24t should work fine). Lastly, when you are making square cutouts like that, use a 1/4" drill bit and drill 4 holes, one in each corner of the square before you cut the straight lines. The rounded edge of the hole will help keep the plexiglass from cracking at the corner. Also, if you can find it, I'd go with Lexan rather than Plexiglass... it's much, much stronger. (Also more expensive, but you get what you pay for)

[Stinky_Hooker]

Starboard all the way. You can get it in black if you want but I like mine in white. Check my gallery.



EDIT:

Scratch that...I just realized you cant see the dash and alot of those pics are old. I got some somewhere.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Stinky_Hooker

Starboard all the way. You can get it in black if you want but I like mine in white. Check my gallery.



EDIT:

Scratch that...I just realized you cant see the dash and alot of those pics are old. I got some somewhere.

I completely agree with you Stinky, Starboard is the way to go. If I was doing my dash that's what I'd use. But it sounded like he wanted to use Plexi, so that's the way that I tailored my answer to him.

There are also a few other ways of going. I've seen teak wood dashes that look awesome, and also ones made out of white nylon 3/8" sheet.... but for good looks and ease of work starboard would be my choice.

[warrengee]

I know this might sound a little strange, but I used a piece of cutting board from Wal-Mart to make a dash for a 19' Renken dual console I used to have. Damned unfortunate sinking episode with that one, although I'm pretty sure modifying the dash didn't cause it to go down! You can pick up the big chopping/cutting board in white pretty cheap, it's easy to work with and cleans up really well. I think I paid 15 bucks for it, so I wasn't too pissed when I screwed it up the first time and had to buy another one. Once piece of advice do not, I repeat, do not use the one your wife already has. Mine wasn't real happy about it!

[macojoe]

Those are good but they are not UV protected and will break down after a while. But I am sure they will last a few years