Completed DIY stand/canopy for 40g breeder(PICS)!

Technobuyer · #1 01/04/2003, 05:23 PM

Well, I've finally finished my first DIY project seen through to completion. I started a 120g stand last year, but that project got put on hold, for a variety of reasons. I decided to set up a 40g Breeder as a real simple low tech clown/bta species tank. Here are some pics of the stand and canopy I made. If you have any questions, please ask!

geo · #2 01/04/2003, 05:58 PM

Looks great dude! You are showing some real woodworking skills there! cant wait to see it filled with water

DiscusZ · #3 01/05/2003, 01:20 AM

have any pics of how the stand was built? I am looking for some plans/ideas for my 77g tank I want to get rid of the one that come with my tank.

Technobuyer · #4 01/05/2003, 02:05 AM

DiscusZ,

Wish I could take credit for the structural design, but it's been around the net for a while. David Grigor has used it alot, as have some others here. Basically the stand is formed by 4 picture 2x4 frames glued and screwed together, then these 4 frames are glued and screwed together.

After that, I glued and screwed 1/2" Oak plywood to the frames, and the rest is trim work.

Here's a few pics:

Does that make sense?

-Duane

epon · #5 01/05/2003, 03:31 AM

Looks great TB - Hope to see the pics of it as it matures

Have any pics of how the hood opens?

pantinor · #6 01/05/2003, 12:43 PM

How did you cut the notch in the 2x4s?

I think the tougher cut is the lengthwise rip in the middle.

I hava a table saw and a skill saw. Did you use a band saw or something?

Technobuyer · #7 01/05/2003, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pantinor
How did you cut the notch in the 2x4s?

I think the tougher cut is the lengthwise rip in the middle.

I hava a table saw and a skill saw. Did you use a band saw or something?

Actually I used my table saw and homemade tenoning jig which held the 2x4's vertical for the cheek cuts. It still left me about 1/8" too short, so I had to chisel that out. The way I made the jig wasn't a very safe way to do it, and I wouldn't do it that way again. I'd go ahead and spring for a good manufactured one. A band saw would be a perfect way to do this, but I don't have one either.

SlowBoat · #8 01/05/2003, 03:04 PM

Techno, what color stain did you use to finish your stand? It looks like it might be walnut. I really like that dark color without the deep red of a cherry finish.

Also how do you like those bar clamps. Have been thinking about getting a set like that from Rockler.

DiscusZ · #9 01/05/2003, 05:24 PM

Should be able to use a special blade that will notch that out perfectly.. I think its a dado (sp) blade if I am not mistaken.,..

Technobuyer · #10 01/05/2003, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SlowBoat
Techno, what color stain did you use to finish your stand? It looks like it might be walnut. I really like that dark color without the deep red of a cherry finish.

Also how do you like those bar clamps. Have been thinking about getting a set like that from Rockler.

Slowboat,

The stain is Minwax oil based Red Oak. There are two coats of this on there. Then I used 4 coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Clear High Gloss Varnish to finish it, sanding with 220 grit in between each coat(except the final one). Having never done this before, I was somewhat skeptical of the need for these multiple applications of varnish. Honestly, I thought about doing more. The finish got better and better with each coat.

I love the clamps. Clamps rule. I got those at Sears when they had some ridiculous sale...I think I paid like $12 a piece. Those are normally $40 clamps. I was fortunate enough to be able to buy quite a few... I buy most of my clamps at Harbor Freight now... But, you can never have enough clamps. I couldn't have done this project with out them.

Duane

Technobuyer · #11 01/05/2003, 07:34 PM

DiscusZ,

Yes a stacked dado head would work great. I have a stacked Dado head that I got from Harbor Freight for 19.99 and it works fine. I didn't use it in those 2x4 cuts though, cuz I didn't have it then. If I had to do those cuts again, I definitely would use the dado cutter.

SlowBoat · #12 01/05/2003, 07:41 PM

Uh oh, I think I just got the latest Harbor Frieght catalog in the mail yesterday. Gonna have to see what those clamps are priced as.

For my stand/canopy I ended up with 5 coats of McClosky marine spar varnish to get a perfectly smooth finish. I think it is because of the oak grain, so porus and keeps sucking up the finish.

I will have to keep the red oak minwax in mind for my next woodworking project that is on my "Honey" do list.

Technobuyer · #13 01/06/2003, 07:26 AM

Slowboat,

Those clamps in the picture are the real Bessey K body's, very nice... I don't think HF sells those. They do sell a couple of knock offs which work well. Last week I picked up 4 36" aluminum bar clamps for $4 ea. They really work pretty well. I just always pick up a couple when I see them on sale. As you know, you'll need em sooner or later.

SciGuy2 · #14 01/06/2003, 05:14 PM

Great looking project there, TB!

I had an old friend that was an excellent woodworker, that used to always say if given a choice between anything and another clamp, take the clamp.

Take it easy,