Best way for an mdf boot floor?

[fix]

Hi im wanting to make an mdf boot floor for my nova,am i best using the carpet as a template? I want a tight fit as possible

Also what thickness should i use and can it be cut in once piece or will i struggle to get it into the boot like that?

Thanks :thumb:

[The Simps]

I used some thick cardboard and made some end templates. I then cut the floor in 3 sections so that the middle bit came up in a flap for spare wheel access. If you ut each section a few cm's bigger you can trim them to a tight fit.

You need to make your bottom frame work up first tho as your contours will cange with height hence why not to use the carpet.

I'll see if I can find some pics.

[The Simps]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/Nova/Interior/Sub2.jpg

[Lee-170]

as said above if you want a tight fit you will need to make it in sections other wise you will not be able to get it in or out i fould out the hard way my one isnt a tight fit but doesnt move at all looks fine IMO :thumb:

[fix]

Cheers for the replies

So 3 sections is gonna be the best way.When you say make the bottom framework up first what do you mean exactly?

Cardboards a good idea for the sides ill do that

And how have you joined the 3 pieces together?

Thanks!

[The Simps]

get some 2x4 for it all to rest on.

you want to make a frame a bit like this:-

_______________
I I
I I
__I_________I___

Spare wheel will sitin the middle.

The 3 pieces aren't joined together. Th large middle piece doesn't come right up to the rear boot edge tho so you can get your hand undert the board to lift it up.

I'd take some more pics for you but the cars sold and got last weekend.

[fix]

You mean 2ft by 4ft i take it?

I get the 3 sections but i dont get the 4 I's on the left are meant to mean

Ta

[The Simps]

2inch x 4inch wood.

Found another pic:-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/TheSimps/27-05-20074.jpg

you want on of those each side then 1 along back and front. The "I" diagram messed up because of BB board spacing.

[fix]

Cheers Simps i get you that gives it a frame to sit on not much extra wood either so keeps the weight down

Im gonna have a go sorting it this wkend im guessing about 1cm thick mdf should do

[Mike B GTE]

i used inch by half strapping and made a box frame around the wheel well. then used stiff carboard to make a template from, transferred that onto 12mm mdf - might have been thicker now i think about it. jigsaw, sand, cover, done! :thumb: mine is only a two piece though - easier to line up.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008086.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008091.jpg

finished the leading edge of the box frame off with a door strip from a corsa b

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/M16KEB/22032008089.jpg

[NovaLad]

I just cut mine to the exact shape then trimmed bits off as needed.

Folded down the seats and took the shelf off to help get it in aswell.

Fit's snug ish and doesn't bang about.

The carpet covers up any messy bits anyway.

[fix]

Cheers for the replies and that looks a good job Mike

Im off to get some mdf an the wood for the frame now try get it done this bank holiday wkend!

[Mike B GTE]

well???? how did it go???

[fix]

Well over the wkend a happy neighbout moaned about my astra gsi thats sat on axle stands without a bonnet,its been there 6 months and technically its not on my street so ive had to start stripping it or he's gonna ring the council!

The boots gonna have to take a back seat while i get rid of the astra dont want grief off my neighbours :(

So if anyone needs any bits let me know :thumb: :D

[NovaLad]

Took 5 min of a job.

It mite be messy around the edges but no one will be seeing it because of the carpet as you can see.

Carpet up.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/MD_Crew/messsyy.jpg

Carpet down.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i319/MD_Crew/DSCF1096.jpg

[fix]

Fair enough! So was that in 1 piece?

[The Simps]

no disrespect to novalad but I would take the extra half hour fix and do a really good job.

It really is easy if you do it in 2 or even 3 sections.

Make your frame so you've set your height. 2 pieces of cardboard to set your contours and transfer to MDF but make it 10cm wider. chop your 2 end bits off to suit your framework/spare wheel then keep trimming up your middle section until your happy (bearing in mind the carpet thickness.

[fix]

Yep i agree its best to take the longest needed though novalads doesnt look that bad just could have matched up the sides better.

10cm wider? that seems alot i was gonna do a couple of cm!

I think ill use the carpet as a base to get the dimensions,pencil that onto the mdf then use card to get the sides worked out properly.Then cut it out but make it abit bigger so it can be shaved abit for a tight fit

[The Simps]

maybe 10cm was a tad excessive! lol

careful using the carpet mate. as you raise the height you'll be shocked how much it alters the contour.

[fix]

When you say contour do you mean basically the size needed,like it doesnt strech as far round the edges

I was gonna use the carpet so that i get the general idea of how all the sides should look,not just the left and right if you get what i mean

And yep you were getting abit excited when you said 10cm lol lol

[fix]

Well here's the finished result,not perfect but not bad!

Im thinking off fixing black chequer plate to it rather than using the carpet,havent decided yet tho


http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/1769/dsc00100sz5.th.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00100sz5.jpg)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/857/dsc00102ks7.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00102ks7.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2412/dsc00101ei6.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00101ei6.jpg)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2224/dsc00103ee9.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00103ee9.jpg)

[The Simps]

nice work mate. 3 piece is way forward, makes life easier. The key is getting your base framework right which looks like you have. spot on.

[fix]

Cheers was easier to make than what i thought,hardest bit was getting the sides right just used the carpet and measured abit extra.

The frame was easy,4 pieces round the outside and 2 through the middle to support the mdf as i only used 6mm to keep the weight down.Its heavy stuff mdf!

Many thanks for the help :)