Recently I came across a post in the WTB forums posted by an ARC member (gnashty) who was looking for a canopy for his 210 tank. Since woodworking is another hobby of mine, I offered to build one for him to match his existing tank. A few emails and a SketchUp design later, we agreed on a price and the build began!
The construction is solid oak & oak plywood throughout. Size is 84x24x10 (Gary's lighting will be T5s, so the canopy did not need to be very tall).
I'm not big on words (I like to see pictures in build threads rather than read a bunch of rambling) so I'll keep the chatter to a minimum for your viewing pleasure.
I'll start with my SketchUp model, progressing through the build to show how everything goes together. (I drew this in wood texture so the details would be more pronounced. The end result was painted black).
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3/4" Oak Plywood Top
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3/4" x 2" Oak Frame, this is needed to keep the lid flat. Otherwise it would warp/bow over time.
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1x2 solid oak trim applied (a 1/4" roundover was added on the actual build using a router table)
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1x8 solid oak canopy frame (1/4" roundover added on actual build)
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3/4" oak plywood corner braces installed using pockethole screws + glue. These will keep the sides square and also hold the canopy above the tank.
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Back brace, cut from a single piece of 3/4" oak plywood
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Four 2" brass hinges installed on a 2" wide strip of oak plywood, attached to the back brace
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Lid & Canopy Frame
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Complete assembly - back view
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Complete assembly - front view
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Now for some actual build pictures...
4'x8' Oak Plywood on my "cutting board"
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8' handheld rotary saw jig I made for straight & accurate cuts without the need for a table saw
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All of the pieces cut...
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Assembling the lid frame with pockethole screws...
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Gluing the lid frame to the lid...
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Assembling the canopy frame with corner reinforcing & 90° clamps...
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The back brace cutout...
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Back brace installed...
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Dry fitting the lid...
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Adding the lid trim...I did this inside because it was freakin freezing in my garage.
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Lid trim complete...
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Woodwork complete...
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Nail holes, wood imperfections, etc patched with wood filler...
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Sanded smooth after the filler dries...
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First coat of paint...
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Third coat of paint...
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Done!
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Sittin' on Gary's tank the morning I delivered it to Acwoth -- picture taken with a cell phone
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Design vs. Actual
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Take care folks,
Dustin
The construction is solid oak & oak plywood throughout. Size is 84x24x10 (Gary's lighting will be T5s, so the canopy did not need to be very tall).
I'm not big on words (I like to see pictures in build threads rather than read a bunch of rambling) so I'll keep the chatter to a minimum for your viewing pleasure.
I'll start with my SketchUp model, progressing through the build to show how everything goes together. (I drew this in wood texture so the details would be more pronounced. The end result was painted black).
3/4" Oak Plywood Top
3/4" x 2" Oak Frame, this is needed to keep the lid flat. Otherwise it would warp/bow over time.
1x2 solid oak trim applied (a 1/4" roundover was added on the actual build using a router table)
1x8 solid oak canopy frame (1/4" roundover added on actual build)
3/4" oak plywood corner braces installed using pockethole screws + glue. These will keep the sides square and also hold the canopy above the tank.
Back brace, cut from a single piece of 3/4" oak plywood
Four 2" brass hinges installed on a 2" wide strip of oak plywood, attached to the back brace
Lid & Canopy Frame
Complete assembly - back view
Complete assembly - front view
Now for some actual build pictures...
4'x8' Oak Plywood on my "cutting board"
8' handheld rotary saw jig I made for straight & accurate cuts without the need for a table saw
All of the pieces cut...
Assembling the lid frame with pockethole screws...
Gluing the lid frame to the lid...
Assembling the canopy frame with corner reinforcing & 90° clamps...
The back brace cutout...
Back brace installed...
Dry fitting the lid...
Adding the lid trim...I did this inside because it was freakin freezing in my garage.
Lid trim complete...
Woodwork complete...
Nail holes, wood imperfections, etc patched with wood filler...
Sanded smooth after the filler dries...
First coat of paint...
Third coat of paint...
Done!
Sittin' on Gary's tank the morning I delivered it to Acwoth -- picture taken with a cell phone
Design vs. Actual
Take care folks,
Dustin
Nice work.:up:
