OK, first off, it is really not an organizer but more of a keep-your-stuff-from-flying-everywhere thingy

This is my first pass at this thingy. My goals were:

1) simply
2) cheap
3) easy to make
4) not ugly

Now remember that this would be black when finished. It is simple, two identical parts held together with two screws and a dowel rod. The nice thing is that you do not see the screwheads or the dowel rod normally. So 1 thru 3 are covered. Not sure what to think about #4. I could not get the gap closed between the upright and the panel. Does it look bad? I think I need to paint it to really see (or not see) the issue. At least it does not cost $50!

Here are the pics:


One other thing, I tried to make this hold my CD's but there really is not any room in there to do it nicely and leave room for anything else.

thoughts?

GMG

_________________
Red/White Cooper S

 

Not bad if you can't see the screwheads. I might try somehting like that instead of shelling out 30-50$ for the premade ones. Have considered gluing some fabric to it instead of paint?

 

You might want to consider getting EZ Felt from Michael's Arts and Crafts
and hot melting it on top of that piece of wood. They sell several thicknesses.

For the gap, you might want to first put some weather strip to fill up the gap,
and just go over the weather strip with a thinner EZ felt on the outside.

Should look pretty good. :smile:

 

early - no you cannot see the screwheads. Well, you can if you stick your head in the footwell. It has to put togeter in the car. No way to stuff it into the opening together.

kenchan - I like the foam/weatherstriping idea. I usually cover the baord with felt so that is not a problem. Fairly straight forward. I will have to play around with it tomorrow.

More pics to follow as I get time.

GMG

 

How about using velcro to install it instead of screws. It'll make it easier to remove it whenever you need to and it might cut down on rattles/vibrations.

You could also use sheet velcro (the fuzzy part) on the inner surfaces to help keep your always-in-the-car stuff from sliding around. All of the "stuff" items would have velcro dots (the loopy part) on them. I'm thinking of a spring loaded change holder for example.

Just an idea...

 

Alan--
I bought a glovebox organizer from you a while back (works great, by the way.)

I agree with the other posts--felt or some type of fabric would be great for keeping things in place. Also, installing some kind of shelf at a slight angle (lower end towards the front of the car) to keep things from spilling out would be pretty nice.

Keep us posted on your progress with the center console organizer...

vin

 

All,

I will try and wrap this beast with felt soon. I like the idea of velcro on the inside to hang your 'stuff'.

911fan - i am not sure velcro would hold the this in place because it ralley is not against any surface. I will have to look at. BTW, the screws are screwed into the end of the dowel rod not into the car. The parts are fairly snug so I don't think it will rattle. Oh course, I cannot hear it because of my sunroof doing the changa. I have got to get that fixed. Driving me nuts.

vin - no need for a shelf. The panel seal the area quite well and there is not any room for your stuff to exit except back at you. The other reason I did not glue a shelf is that that this could be shipped in a flat envelope. Just slide the parts in from the front of the car and two screw later you are done.

Once I get this all figured out, I will post the pattern for those with tools.

GMG

 

" i am not sure velcro would hold the this in place because it ralley is not against any surface."

If you extend the rearward edges (ie, the edges visible in your first picture) an inch or so, you could velcro the outer sides of these extensions to the inner surfaces of the vertical members of the MINI center console. Self adhesive velcro dots should do the trick.

btw, after seeing this thread, I'm going to velcro my change holder to the vertical surface forward of the lighter -- I'm tired of having it slide around in the glove box. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

YUP ... there's just enough room for a Fischer C-Box

 

I remember that product. Anyone have one? I like it, but it does not allow you access to the cig lighter. Unfortunately, I need that to charge my phone when I am traveling back and forth to Portland. I guess I could add another outlet in the driver's shelf area.

I am not sure what everyone wants out of this area except something from keeping their stuff from flying out into the footwells. And of course not pay $50 for the privilege.

I also thought about extending the rearward surfaces, but I tought it might look a tad aweful if I did not match that vertical curve exactly.

Inspiration: that is why we share ideas. Post a pic when you are done.

Looks like Wile E. needs to order some more ACME products for another design....

 

I have the Fischer Universal C-Box in my MINI. It holds 6 CDs which are available at the push of a button. You can click the "Fischer C-Box" link in my previous post for more info on installation.

There is a MINI accessory available [in the UK at least] which holds 4 CDs and allows access to the cigarette lighter:





I suspect this one is made by Fischer also.

 

huh, that's pretty cool! :smile:

I'd have to hardwire my radar detector power cord.

 

Hey Miniac, do you have a part number for the 4 disc unit? cost estimate? I like that. I might even be able add my spill proof panels to make that space even more usable.

Thanks for the pic!

GMG

 

I like the CD holder, but because I park outside a lot I keep everything out-of-sight in the glovebox or the boot. (...less temptation.) Whats even worse, I'm a no-clutter freak so once again...the glovebox or the boot. I guess a console is not in my immediate future.

 

OK. Finally got a chance to play some more. And....the gap is gone. check out the pics. No shelf for me. Don't want one, yet. Could be added easily. As far as those with the MINIFINI Mongo cup holder. The side panel have to change slightly to give the necessary gap. Or you just take this pattern and cut where you normally put that bracket from the Mongo Beast Holder. Glueing felt to both sides is a pain. I still need to blacken a few edges but you get the idea.

What do you guys think?

 

That's hot! Nice job.

 

Great idea and nice design. I think it can be used as a basic holder for whatever you need to fit in that area.
Having no shelf makes it accept bigger things like a multi CD holder/case.

For something around that size in the center console what else do Motorers want space for?

Garage door opener.
Gloves
Dark glasses
pens/coins
pager/cell phone
MP3 player
Mints
Family radio
wallet
camera
Gameboy
yo-yo
Pez dispenser

You name it.

Given the different needs of the above and more, the base unit can look like this example above and then soft inserts can be pushed to fill out the inside and allow for partitions to hold the various items as needed like a shelf organizer does in your kitchen or pantry.

Nicely done, keep up the creative ideas.

 

GMG:

LOVE your glovebox organizer, can't wait for the finished console organizer to order a red one from ya!!!

 

anyone has the part number for this piece?