135g canopy build

[snakeblitz33]

Not for me... lol.
I probably didn't charge enough for this project. I bought select pine instead of the cheap piny knot pine. But, it's ok, I wanted to make an impression. The client may have a 240g stand and canopy build for me in the near future.
So, this is kinda what I am working on this week.
I'll post pics as progress continues.


I am happy with the way this canopy is turning out. Everything fits pretty well - and it is such a long piece of wood, I am glad that I was able to find boards that weren't warped.
I still have to route the top edge and shim a couple of things up. I also have to add the blocks on the inside to keep the canopy on top of the tank.
I'll have to paint it black first and then hinge it to paint the rest of it on the inside. Should be another five or six hours before it's completely done. No big deal.
I'll post pics tomorrow of the progress.

 

[snakeblitz33]

By the way, the stand underneath it still hasn't been delivered. I'm thankful that it will be tomorrow!!!! WOOHOO!!! MONEY!!! lol

 

[acrylic51]

Looks good Seth.......I'll shoot you a text later on with a couple ideas if you don't mind......

 

[snakeblitz33]

I just routed the top edge with a Roman Ogee router bit. It looks really good. I don't have any pics of it today though.
I am also adding trim work tomorrow.
Underneath the middle of the top of the canopy I am adding a couple of small pieces of wood for additional supports and to keep the light from escaping out of the top of the canopy.
Another thing is I am adding a corner trim so that the ends of front panel won't be seen when the canopy door is down.
The inside of the canopy will have blocks of wood that will hold the canopy up just enough to cover the trim.
I bought valspar flat black epoxy paint and it said that it doesn't require a primer to be used on wood, so I didn't buy a primer to go with it.
I've pretty much thought of everything, but I would love suggestions for improvements.

 

[sweatervest13]

Looks good!! You are always lucky to find straight boards. I would love to see more pics. I am looking to do a canopy for my tank in the fall. Any special features on the build??
What kind of lights is the customer using? Did you have to design it any different to accommodate the lights?
I read about the guy being a pain to deliver (and get PAID!!) the stand. Did it get done?
I know you have a lot on your plate right now and I think that shows a lot about you to do extra things to get a bit ahead. Nice work man!!
Your avatar is the Dude form the Big Labowski (one of my favorite movies BTW). In the intro of that movie Sam Elliot is telling us all about the Dude and he says that he is a lazy man. You are not a lazy man by any means. Keep up the good work, man.

 

[snakeblitz33]

The gap in it will be fixed when I put hinges on it as well as put a corner trim on it.

My mom commented on it and said it looked like a pine coffin. LOL

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392925/135g-canopy-build#post_3492500
Looks good!! You are always lucky to find straight boards. I would love to see more pics. I am looking to do a canopy for my tank in the fall. Any special features on the build??
What kind of lights is the customer using? Did you have to design it any different to accommodate the lights?
I read about the guy being a pain to deliver (and get PAID!!) the stand. Did it get done?
I know you have a lot on your plate right now and I think that shows a lot about you to do extra things to get a bit ahead. Nice work man!!
Your avatar is the Dude form the Big Labowski (one of my favorite movies BTW). In the intro of that movie Sam Elliot is telling us all about the Dude and he says that he is a lazy man. You are not a lazy man by any means. Keep up the good work, man.
There are no special features on this build. The customer simply wanted a canopy to cover up his glass tops and his LED lights. It's for a freshwater tank.
I got the other stand completed and delivered yesterday,... and got PAID! Another thing is that he has a 75g stand and canopy that he wants me to re-finish as well in a few weeks.
I like the movie because I am not really like the Dude... I am constantly doing things. Why he is my avatar is because I admire people who can lay back and truly let things slide and not stress themselves out. Thanks for saying I'm not lazy - I always feel like I could be doing more. lol

 

[snakeblitz33]

Pics... The first pic is unassembled.


I was able to tighten up both ends to the side boards and keep from having such a bad gap.



Half of the whole top lifts off the top of the tank. This is the design the customer wanted. I like the design because you can get into the tank a lot more easily.
When I put the hinges on for the first time and lifted the front a few times, it made this creaking sound. Being that the canopy is rectangular and black, it sounded like a coffin opening and closing. lol
Anyways, the guy is picking it up today. I'll be glad to get it out of my way.

 

[acrylic51]

Looks very good Seth!!!!!!!

 

[acrylic51]

To save yourself some headaches in the future when building a canopy or any enclosure that opens like that and having the knowledge now about how the gap was......If you cut ends where you had an issue with the gap, if you get a 45 degree router bit for putting 45's to the ends or sides of wood, it would allow the ends to somewhat overlap and lay tight together......Just food for thought.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Wow. Yeah, that does make sense. I might do that next time.

 

[acrylic51]

Canopy looks very good.....Not trying to tell you your business dude.....If you think about it, it's kinda like taking base board molding and mitering it at 22.5 degrees both pieces and you can seam them together....Kinda the same principle I was explaining but different angles.....I used that on my canopy build to make the front access panel blend naturally.

 

[novahobbies]

WOW. That really looks nice. Makes my canopy look like poo, in fact. I'll just have to call you when it's time to get a new one I guess!

 

[snakeblitz33]

I didnt make any money on this canopy. Lol. The wood i used took the entire cost. But, i know how much to charge for next time.

 

[acrylic51]

Part of the learning curve Seth!!!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Yeah, I know. But - I'm happy with the canopy and I have another happy customer. Overall a good project. I'll just know what to charge on the next one - if someone is willing to pay.
Then again, I think he would have been happy with lower quality wood. I could have probably used a wood filler for any knots in the wood and my customer would have never noticed.
I have to learn to not be a perfectionist when it comes to turning out a product. Perfectionism costs money. lol

 

[acrylic51]

I've always found it hard to figure out pricing and putting a price on my time.....I guess part of the issue is I enjoy doing the work, and don't really consider it work.....I just make so many trips to different places scheming over ideas and parts and gadgets that drives my gas bill up......