Car caddy

[Masonsailor]

I was recently lucky enough to find a 2000 BMW Z3. The car was owned by a close friend and has very low miles and pretty close to perfect. The one issue I have with the car is the center console which is severely lacking. Really no cup holder. There is one but it’s in the center console behind the seats so you have to be a contortionist to use it. That also means no place to put your phone. I saw on Amazon someone is making a caddy for the passenger seat which is perfect as I will be riding alone in this car most of the time. I decided to make one out of wood and see if it will work. I think I will make a small storage box for it also. Except for that it’s complete. 
Paul

[lew]

Cool looking holder, Paul!  Just don’t slam on the brakes!

[Masonsailor]

The commercial ones use a Velcro strap that goes around the seat. I think I will probably do the same. 
Paul

[DAB]

Bah, pocket screws into the cushion!!!

[Grandpadave52]

Nicely done Paul.

[Larry Buskirk]

Very nice Paul.

Any problems with it setting off an SRS (Airbag) warning light?

 

[Cal]

[Masonsailor]

Apparently there isn’t enough weight on the sensor for the airbag to activate it. 
Paul

[Larry Buskirk]

1 hour ago, Masonsailor said:

Apparently there isn’t enough weight on the sensor for the airbag to activate it. 
Paul

 

The weight sensor on our Pilot will go off if the wife sets her purse on the seat without latching the seat belt requiring having to reset the system. 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Larry Buskirk

[Masonsailor]

I checked the sensor yesterday. Thanks for the heads up Larry. It seems to take about 40 pounds to activate the sensor. I used a couple of barbells for a test. I started the little storage box for the caddy. I am making it using the Shaoer Origin mostly because it’s quicker. It’s just large enough to accommodate a model 27 of Gaston’s who recently died. 
Paul

[4DThinker]

Beautiful work, as usual.   The teacher gene of mine that apparently is still active worries about the conflict of grain direction between the top and side foot, and cup holder sides against the top with round hole in the square block.  Particularly for something left in a car where the humidity will vary considerably.  It'll be a good test for the dowel joint. This I learned from personal experience and ended up with sheared dowels and a rippled board.   

4D

[DAB]

redneck:  would have just taken an old cup, sawed off the lower 4", and attached that with a few screws thru the bottom into the wood.  maybe 2 even!

[Masonsailor]

I thought about that 4D but as usual I am building this with scraps so it is what it is. A good test ! It’s all done except for the test drive. 
Paul

[Grandpadave52]

Turned out very nice Paul.

 

 

[4DThinker]

Don't worry.  Best lessons are learned from experience.   What I enjoy about wood is that it can be reconfigured if the grain of a scrap isn't going the right direction for a project.  Rip, tip, glue back together.  The cup holder top looks like it could be popped off and turned 90 degrees. 

 

Lost a job thanks to un-anticipated wood contraction.  Wasn't my fault but they needed a sacrifice to save face. A sub contractor who made the parts I designed changed from a plywood piece with a hardwood piece of trim on top and bottom to a piece of solid wood run though a moulding machine. A piece of plastic trapped between the top and bottom lip ended up either popping out or splitting the back when winter came and the air dried out. These were door signs for the Menninger Foundation that was in Topeka KS.  That job loss led to my teaching job though, which lasted 4 decades and was considerably more interesting and fun than designing signs. 

4D

[Masonsailor]

Life is what happens while you’re making other plans !

 

[Masonsailor]

Took it for a vigorous test drive. I’m going to have to come up with a method of securing Mr Gaston’s invention. Rattled around a bit. But phone was secure. 
Paul

[Masonsailor]

Well the boss took her first look at it and a very negative reaction. We’re talking negative here. She says it needs to be in walnut burl like the rest of the car. Not sure that’s possible. 
Paul

[DAB]

Walnut burl over walnut?  Crazy talk. 

[4DThinker]

Make sure the burl trim isn't actually plastic.   If it is then ask the boss if she really wants it to be made from plastic.