If you're anything like me, you probably always have a drink in the car with you. Whether it's water, Gatorade, coffee, or anything in between, you probably want a spot to put it. My truck came stock with cup holders, however they are from 1995, and only fit big bottles, like the 24oz Gatorade bottles. Soda cans and travel mugs just fall out and spill all over the floor, or in my lap... So I've decided to build my own cup holders, and put an end to spilled drinks in the car.

Step 1: Design

The sketches were rough, and made half scale to fit on the paper. The first sketch is the top view. The second is the front view, and the third is the side view. I wanted to keep the design simple but effective, as long as it held cans and other miscellaneous junk I keep in my truck. I had leftover walnut from a table I was building, and I thought the two pieces together would make a decent sized console.

Step 2: Building

Using nothing but scrap wood, a chop saw, wood glue and a couple of clamps, I was able to construct a homemade center console for my truck. The final dimensions are going to be 12 1/4" x 6" x 5 3/4". With a few self tapping screws, the console should mount easily to the floor, and be sturdy enough to drive and hit bumps with.

I drilled two 3" holes into a piece as the cup holder, and glued it into place.

Now that I think about it though, I may not put it in my truck, but rather use it in the workshop. I'll always have a place to put my drinks, and I am less likely to misplace it.

If I set my phone into it, the music also seems to be louder because of the echo.