[Jemo]

I started building a cardboard template for a center console and the top part was easy but getting the bottom to fit the floor contour is tough! Any tips for doing this? The only thing I can figure is to bevel the edge touching the carpet but fitting the curves of the floor is easier said than done. I'd appreciate any tips.

Jeff

 

[acardon]

If I understand what your trying to do, hold a piece of cardboard on the floor where the side of the console will be and draw a line on it with a pencil compass to match the contour of the floor.

 

[chevman57]

If I understand what your trying to do, hold a piece of cardboard on the floor where the side of the console will be and draw a line on it with a pencil compass to match the contour of the floor.

Jeff, Don has the answer there for you. I built my cardboard pattern to fit close to the hump and now need to do some modification to it since i am building the console a little wider than i started to. Look at my mockup console in my album.
Terry

 

[joeelutz]

I built the console for this 55 out of metal.
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?p=483291&posted=1
But the method I used would work for wood or anything.
Take a piece of metal rod or brake line that is stiff, but can be bent by hand. Push it down on the floor and form it to the contours. The rod will hold it's shape and give you a nice profile to transfer to whatever you are going to use to make the console.

Joe

 

[Rick_L]

I like Joe's method. It should work in just about all applications. To take it a step farther, once you have the rod bent to the right contour and transfer it to a cardboard or sheet metal template, don't make that template the full height of the console side. Instead, make two side templates for each side - a top one and a bottom one. Make them so they will overlap. Set the mockup with the top and upper side templates to the height you want in the car. Then tape or glue the bottom side templates to the top templates with the bottom template fitting the floor as you want. Everything will "float" to the right place and you'll have accurate templates.