Online source for small piece(s) of teak for instrument mounting?

[basssears]

So I think the way I'm heading with some new instrumentation is going to be a rectangular board with instruments mounted in it mounted in my companionway, so it can be pivoted to either be seen from the cockpit or pivoted back inside to be seen from the pilothouse wheel. I just don't want to deal with setting up two sets of instruments everywhere.

Planning on using a RAM mount as the pivot (have used before and been quite pleased with them), what I can't find is a decent piece of material to mount everything in.

Thought about using Starboard:
http://www.tapplastics.com/product/p..._starboard/526

... but if I can find a single piece of teak to buy (rectangular, maybe 6" wide by say 18" long or so) that would look better... searched the forums and found a few leads on places that sell teak decking but I just want a single piece... maybe once I'm back on the coast I could find something local but nothing here in Idaho so looking online.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

-- Bass

[TheOffice]

EBay! Bought teak and oak for various projects

[Cheechako]

Starboard would be great. I my have a piece of teak, I'll look, not sure I have a rem 18” long though. . 3/4 thick? Have ply that's 1/2"

[basssears]

Having bought a crapload of stuff (sometimes crap itself) off eBay, a little embarrassed to say this didn't cross my mind. Thanks! -- Bass

Originally Posted by TheOffice

EBay! Bought teak and oak for various projects

[basssears]

Still working on dimensions, have to plan out exactly what I want on the board... found teak steps on West Marine 15 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1/2 which might work... have to figure 1/2" is thick enough for gauges?

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Starboard would be great. I my have a piece of teak, I'll look, not sure I have a rem 18” long though. . 3/4 thick? Have ply that's 1/2"

[accomplice]

I have a bunch I got at a local hardwood dealer; but there are many sites that do sell over the net. Here are the first 3 that come up in my google search

Exotic Hardwood Lumber - Price List ($30-$40/bf)
Homestead Hardwoods - Random Width Lumber ($20-$30/bf)
http://www.boulterplywood.com/produc...nelumber_4.htm ($30-$50/bf)

If none of them workout, I might be able to work something out for you.

[Reefmagnet]

I'd maybe consider Kwila, or Merbau, or Ipil; same wood different name, depending on where you are. It's the stuff natural wood garden furniture and decks etc are made from. Bit heavier and most probably tougher than Teak, but extremely durable. Because it is used for outdoor construction, it is readily available in wider and thicker sections. I made an instrument panel for the cockpit out of the stuff and just finished it with boiled linseed oil. Looks great.

[antoha]

What will you do for the back? Or is the wiring all going to be exposed?


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[basssears]

Thanks for the input everyone, I will investigate some local non-teak options as well.

My current thinking is the back would just be exposed... when not underway the gauges would be facing out into the pilothouse and the rats nest of wires and gauge backs would be facing the wall, so shouldn't be too fugly as long as I can control the wires running from the panel to their various senders / 12v etc.

When underway and folded out into the edge of the companionway, you would see the back of it when you're down in the cabin looking aft but I don't think I'm too worried about that... my woodworking skills are pretty marginal and I don't have the tools right now to make up a whole pretty box with everything neat and tidy inside it.

Originally Posted by antoha

What will you do for the back? Or is the wiring all going to be exposed?

[Reefmagnet]

On the back, a piece of opaque acrylic sheet screwed to spacer blocks, if required, looks pro.

[basssears]

I'll look into that... I will have a little time with this as I plan to build it at home where I have some space and some better tools (and some more time than my very limited time on the boat).

Can you cut acrylic sheet with a fine tooth blade in a jigsaw?

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

On the back, a piece of opaque acrylic sheet screwed to spacer blocks, if required, looks pro.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by basssears

Still working on dimensions, have to plan out exactly what I want on the board... found teak steps on West Marine 15 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1/2 which might work... have to figure 1/2" is thick enough for gauges?

Not sure what "gauges" you are installing, but beware that some wont mount well in thick material.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by basssears

I'll look into that... I will have a little time with this as I plan to build it at home where I have some space and some better tools (and some more time than my very limited time on the boat).

Can you cut acrylic sheet with a fine tooth blade in a jigsaw?

Yes. And you can sand it and even bend it easily with heat.

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[Cheechako]

But a warning regarding acrylic; It cuts leaving a very rough edge. If you want the edge to look good, a lot of sanding will be required, also, it fills the sandpaper very quickly.

[basssears]

As it stands now going to be autopilot control head, tridata depth/speed/temp display (both Raymarine), 2" water temp gauge, 2" oil pressure gauge, and then some warning lights / buzzers with switches.

Thanks for heads up will check if they can be mounted in 1/2" thick material.

-- Bass

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Not sure what "gauges" you are installing, but beware that some wont mount well in thick material.