Homemade DIY T-Top Build Part2

Part two of fabricating a homemade T-top for the Center Console Project Boat.

[@georgenettlesjr1466]

Bad ass job. Loved the video

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you George! Kind words keep the old man going.

[@shoresharp8349]

I vote for no windshield frame . Great work Barry you saved yourself at least 4k bucks!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Buddy We agree, the frame is coming off, actually it is off already. Yea, these things are crazy expensive. Barry

[@SolarBurrito]

Wow you got skills I just watched all your boat videos. I’ve been addicted to mads on Saillife for 4 years. You’re working on his level with a much lower budget. Great design of your boat by the way. I’d remove the windshield bracket.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Wow! Comparing me to Mads is quite a compliment! Thanks. And the windshield frame is gone. Thanks for watching. PS I am also a Saillife fan. Barry

[@jorgemedina1169]

I think you did very good . I want see Moor aluminum welding and better finish 👍

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Jorge! Me too, Barry

[@setthehook4me]

Lots of hard work...inspiring!!!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank You for watching and for the kind comment. Barry

[@khalidfakier1642]

Looks amazing, keep up the good work.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you very much!

[@EAFISHINGNYC]

Looking great 👍 nice job

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Man! Barry

[@AngelGarcia-jp6cd]

Wow you did a great job 👏

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Angel Thanks and I am glad you enjoyed the project! Barry

[@saltyhooker5785]

That thing looks awesome! I would lose the windshield frame the size differs so much that it looks off.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Norcal! Yea, I think I am in agreement with you on this. Barry

[@jacobhicks7959]

This thing looks amazing

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank You Jacob!

[@circe42]

First time I am looking at your video Job came out really nice . I am a big time DIY'er from houses to boats to cars presently getting ready to make a swivel mount for a 24"radar dome. I made the eye and socket but haven't welded the socket together yet. You make it look really easy I am unskilled in aluminum welding and just bought a "Primeweld" TIG welder. My hope is that my project comes out as well as yours. BTW I too am using 2" Rigid Aluminum much more stable than 1.5" or tubing .. I agree with most of your other on lookers you should remove the other braces. Looking forward to your other videos. Thanks.Bob

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Bob Thank you for watching and thank you for the kind words. I agree and the SS braces have been removed. Good luck with your new welder! Barry

[@medicmcauley6729]

Great work, the wind screen frame is kind of redundant but does offer more handholds

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Medic My thoughts also, the frame is gone. Thanks Barry

[@scottward8038]

I would remove the windshield bracket, I removed mine when added the T-top, made for a cleaner look. You have a great look going, nice job!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Scott, I think we are on the same page. Thanks for watching.

[@alangilman6711]

It came out nice! I'd leave the brace, it don't look bad and you might want to mount something on it later. Plus no need making more work patching holes. Once again, nice work!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Alan Thanks for the comment and king words. Bit I believe the brace is coming off though. Barry

[@jaystell5919]

I’m really enjoying watching you build this boat. Hoping there is a lot of editing, because it takes me a lot longer than you, it seems, to figure out how to solve little issues on my projects. That is gonna be a fine boat when you are all finished. Wish I could see it in person one day. Oh, and I would remove the windscreen brace. It looks out of place with the larger OD pipe.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Jay I move fast, make more than my share of mistakes, fix them or live with them, and move on. I have grown to accept the way I am, my Wife on the other hand.... The brace is gone. Barry

[@kalesmith6814]

Very nice job

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you Kale! Barry

[@samismail8020]

Excellent job and a good looking Rack

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Sam!

[@Kangala007]

Fantastic!!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks! And thanks for watching. Barry

[@ante8210]

Great work as always. I would suggest to remove windshield bracket because it will be better looking boat and there is no need to have one. It is a bit more work to patch holes but it is worth it

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Ante. You are on the same page as the majority and patching holes is pretty easy. Barry

[@efdalzeren2047]

Great job so far.., really very nice. Regarding the windshield - depends what you like and what you need. do you need a side splash protection ? then you should cover the side part of the consol too. Thiss would give you also a good protection of various stuff you will have on the consol preventing to slip out of the boat .

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you Efdal! I thing I have the wind shield complete. But only in my head, the building part coming soon. Barry

[@Agustin-jo8mv]

Hey Barry, thanks for taking the effort to make these videos. I am a welder/fabricator thinking about getting into boating and I think its going to be very likely I will need to build my own T-Top. haha. This is pretty good. I think I would use smaller diameter material, but looks like you did a good job. Also dang those Lincolns always leave so much black sutt. haha. Miller machines that I've known wouldn't do that. No big deal though I guess. haha

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Augustin Thanks and I am glad you enjoyed. Don't get too skimpy on a tee top build as they take a hell of a lot of stress. I which I would have added two more little braces on mine. Barry

[@Agustin-jo8mv]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 Got ya. I actually didn't think the material was too wide after all. I will definitely cross brace a lot. Thanks for the advice haha.

[@kevinreiboldt2278]

Great job!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Kevin, and thanks for watching.! Barry

[@kevinreiboldt2278]

If you were my next door neighbor my wife would always know where I am, over pestering Barry hoping to help him on his boat project!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

@@kevinreiboldt2278 I would have to build a bigger dog house. And I don't even have a dog.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Kevin! And thanks for watchin!

[@MrScottwindram]

Great video, I know you used 2” tube but what wall thickness did you use? Thanks

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Scott! The tube was ridged aluminum conduit. I believe it comes schedule 40. I think I used mostly 1 1/2” if I remember correctly. Home Depot carries the aluminum conduit but it might be cheaper at an electrical supply house.

[@dkight18]

Remove the windshield bracket, great job on the T-top !!!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks for the king words. We are on the same page with the frame, it is gone. Barry

[@ontariosales6368]

Check out the 34 Venture CC they have windshields mounted on top of CC, you may be able to use a stareboard plastic wood and screw it to that

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

OS Thanks for the reply. The 34 Venture is quite a boat! My console top is kinda small so I am pretty sure the screen will need to be mounted to the front. Barry

[@kevinvaught9373]

It's been my experience that you can never have to many spots to hold on to or tie things to on a boat. I would keep the wind screen frame. Of course that's just my opinion lol. Are you going to powder coat or just paint?

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Keven, I am leaning towards removing it and adding another cross bar to the T-Top. But you know how I am with decisions! I don't think the filler I will need to use to fill all the little dents the bender left will stand up to the power coat oven. Besides, I would have to pay somebody.....

[@TheCaptainkelly]

I wanna see those spool gun welds before you grind em ...... I'm doing one now....very hard to weld around tube with big gun😬

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

There is a reason for all the grinding! It is pretty challenging to lay consistent attractive welds with any type of welder. The aluminum spool gun just makes it a tad more of a challenge. Never give up! Barry

[@Crewsy]

The windshield brace looks lost amongst all that larger pipe/tubing. Certainly something can be added to the T top frame to secure the windshield in place. Just think ahead and remember the original purpose you planned for the T top legs was to have some place to hold onto while chasing the big ones. 🎣

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Wayne Agreed and the frame is gone. Thanks for the comment. Barry

[@CarlosRodriguez-od9sv]

Removed grate work 💪

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Carlos. I has been removed. Barry

[@romariogoulbourne8797]

Remove windshield Bracket 🇯🇲

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Romario. It is almost gone already. Barry