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simonslp Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2007 Posts: 138 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:15 pm Post subject: Underseat tray project |
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First things first... I am by no means the best sambanista craftsman. BUT I was intrigued by the thread on the Rocky Mtn Westy underseat locker
("Saw a cool under-seat storage box today" -
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374456&highlight=underseat)
and got to thinking of how to build my own.
Disadvantges of my approach are 1. that the finished product looks a bit of a hackjob and 2. that it doesn't lock (unless I decide to install a lock).
Advantages are 1. that it comes at the price of a hackjob (i.e. free) and 2. that it (with any luck) will evade thieves as it's pretty well-hidden. Not that I'll be leaving my ming vase collection in there but it's nice to have a handy hidden spot for the goodies.
Simple job requiring an angle grinder, a tablesaw, a drill, some plywood, some adhesive-backed velcro and about 3 hours.
ps it was my fist time cutting metal with an angle grinder... now THAT is a good time! |
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NorBullitt Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2009 Posts: 144 Location: Norway
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:48 am Post subject: |
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Cool. Dont think it looks much like a hackjob at all.
And its very stealthy too... _________________ 1967 Bug (euro) |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:41 am Post subject: |
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I think your work looks great. Congrats!
Here is a link to a similar project:
Hidden Westy storage space exposed!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=195642
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5390 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:00 am Post subject: |
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Cool project, nice job. The only thing I would suggest is to line the tray with felt (or something similar) to help keep the noise of the objects in there, that will inevitably roll around, down to a minimum. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:50 am Post subject: |
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I really like your stealth installation
much better imho than the exposed install with a lock
or handle
both of which, scream steal me, Im in here! |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Stealth is nice. You did a pretty good job.
I like the RMW idea but the ugly combo lock is a big let down for me. |
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simonslp Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2007 Posts: 138 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 11:19 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the positive feedback guys!
I really like the felt lining noise reduction idea (big-up loogy!) and will go a-felt-hunting asap.
Jon-slider, my thoughts exactly on the "steal me, I'm in here" aspect of more visible approaches.
I do like the slider/drawer hardware, the lockability and the "stock" look of the RMW option - just don't like the stick-out lock knob thing or the visibility of it. Maybe a rework incorporating a flush-faced lock and the carpet-covering feature is in order? |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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something's out there better than felt and it will stand up to any moisture and its inexpensive. It's the non skid soft rubberized material. It can be cut to size and is useable for all kinds of duties. I use it lots of places No glue required, all colors, usually comes in different size rolls. Kitchen bathroom products and sold in Dollarama's and elsewhere. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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1621 Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2006 Posts: 2174
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Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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DAIZEE wrote: |
something's out there better than felt and it will stand up to any moisture and its inexpensive. It's the non skid soft rubberized material. It can be cut to size and is useable for all kinds of duties. I use it lots of places No glue required, all colors, usually comes in different size rolls. Kitchen bathroom products and sold in Dollarama's and elsewhere. |
Or spray the drawer with plasti-dip and be done with it. No cutting, gluing or need for future replacement. _________________ '85 Westy |
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ZimZam Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Talkeetna, AK
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:44 am Post subject: |
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Nice work Simon. That is stealth technology at its most inexpensive. _________________ '85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa
"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben |
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MootPoint Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2006 Posts: 862 Location: ABQ, NM
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: |
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Very nice, sir! I'd been thinking about the RMW box but also have concerns about it's obvious-ness.
To lessen the roll-around, you might consider adding some dividers to the drawer as well as the sound-deadening padding. I was thinking of one compartment in the drawer space just the right size to hold the GPS, one to fit the pocket camera, etc. If you upgrade your toys (to different sizes) it would be easy enough to simply reconfigure the dividers. _________________ 1984 Westy with tencentlife power! |
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SteveVanB Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008 Posts: 1645 Location: This side of Daytona
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:27 am Post subject: |
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MootPoint wrote: |
Very nice, sir! I'd been thinking about the RMW box but also have concerns about it's obvious-ness.
To lessen the roll-around, you might consider adding some dividers to the drawer as well as the sound-deadening padding. I was thinking of one compartment in the drawer space just the right size to hold the GPS, one to fit the pocket camera, etc. If you upgrade your toys (to different sizes) it would be easy enough to simply reconfigure the dividers. |
Maybe somethind like this..... http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90092731
It can be configured many different ways to suit one's needs. _________________ 91 CARAT |
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tomkay Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:28 am Post subject: |
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I've been thinking of doing a similar project but thought I would use a hinge on the front part of the seat base. Now, I realize that isn't necessary. Just attach it to the drawer. Great idea. Thanks for showing me see the obvious.
Well done.
Love the stealth! |
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Mundopacheco Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2006 Posts: 439 Location: Durango, Colorado
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:02 am Post subject: |
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Ok, so there is a 'steal me' issue with the RMW, but why not cover it with the existing carpet flap like was done on the other options? Then you have stealth as your first level security and a real, locked box, as a second.
Miguel |
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simonslp Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2007 Posts: 138 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:59 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Ok, so there is a 'steal me' issue with the RMW, but why not cover it with the existing carpet flap like was done on the other options? Then you have stealth as your first level security and a real, locked box, as a second.
Miguel |
The time has come for me to admit to being a cheap bastard! For me it's just not worth the $150. Escpecially when I've got tranny upgrades, obd2 readers and the like on the shopping list already.
Especially when I consider that 1. the RMW box looks fairly break-innable to me and 2. I can but a padlock at the hadware store for around $2.
Here's the top of my list at the moment (may be worthy of another thread). Total costs around $200:
http://www.devtoaster.com/products/rev/index.html
and
http://www.plxkiwi.com/kiwiwifi/hardware.html
Spiffy! Wireless! |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Ok, so there is a 'steal me' issue with the RMW, but why not cover it with the existing carpet flap like was done on the other options? |
Gotta get rid of that combo lock that sticks out and it is a possibility. |
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MootPoint Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2006 Posts: 862 Location: ABQ, NM
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:24 am Post subject: |
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Oooo...that would do the trick and it would probably work well in the sink drawer, too! _________________ 1984 Westy with tencentlife power! |
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Mundopacheco Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2006 Posts: 439 Location: Durango, Colorado
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Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Of course, once a thief defeats the stealth defense and discovers the lock-box, it's time for the crowbar baby! Tearing up all kinds of your beloved's internals, whereas, if there was only an unlocked drawer, the overall damage would be less. It's like when I lived way the hell up in the mountains, next to National Forest. I never locked the house, reasoning that, if I did, I would also incur the damages of forced entry.
I say don't leave anything of value inside the van that you can't afford to lose, or just don't take anything valuable that you can't carry with you when you exit the vehicle. I've discovered that I don't use half the crap I carry on a normal outing. I carry less these days, though it's still too much. |
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