TheNanoReefer Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Created a new forum name but I had a thread last week about making a custom stand. Anyway, I have no expierence with woodworking, but wasnt happy with any of the stands available for my aquarium. So I went over to Home Depot and got some wood and started hammering. Lol, thats seriously pretty much the truth... Just wanted to give an update and also look for some critiques and suggestions. I left the front open for now because im not sure on where to go from here. Id like a door in the front somehow but not really even sure how to connect the front piece. I know I need a piece that will bow a little, but even if I get a thinner piece, how do I "connect" it to the 2 sides? If i just hammer it on there its gonna look kinda funny from the side view and not look flush. Also, its starting to look kinda boring to me. Once I get the front on its pretty much going to be a square box (with curved front)... anyone have any ideas on how I can dress it up a little with some moldings or feet on the bottom or something? Link to comment
travisurfer Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 you can add some corner molding and of course paint it black. it all depends on what you think looks good. Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 thanks man, i cant believe you went through all that!!! thats awesome!! Thats kinda what I had in mind. Im going to do that today and Ill update. Now im just trying to come up with some ways to dress it up a bit. Id like to do some sort of molding somewhere. Not really sure where or what kind really. But Id like it to look more like a real piece of furniture rather than just a box... any more ideas? lol just an example, but did a quick search... this is the type of furtiture my wife has in the house. I know im not good enough to make anything like this but would like to do something to my "box" after looking at that first picture, i was thinking once I have the front piece, I can kinda match that... make a square out of thin trim and put some decrotive trim pieces in center (whatever I can find thats nice, not to match that exact piece) but i was thinking, you know the piece that sticks up over the tank a little to hide the black plastic of the aquarium? Well currently its about 1/2 inch too tall and Ill trim that, but was wondering if I could attach some crown molding type stuff there. I know the 2 sides and back would be easy, but is it possible to do it in the front curve area? Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 okay, i tried and doing the curved front was just too much work. Im not that good at woodworking so I went the easy way. I curved the "lip" but left front door straight. I got some molding and bowed it around also and think it adds some detail I was looking for. I dont like the straight bottom, so I think im gonna put some blocks or something to "lift it up" and put some more molding at bottom and let it hang down or do something like that... then I was thinking of adding some sort of trim or moldings or something in the center... the main portion is just too plain... I also added some more support beams and a shelf inside. This thing is STURDY!!! its got some flaws and not gonna be a $1000 piece of furnature, but it i must admit, its not half shabby considering its my first attept at making anything with wood... Link to comment
Blonde Sonya Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 how do i set a darn avatar on this board? i'd like to put up a picture Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 it doesnt look like it now cuz the door is open, but that door is actually recessed up under the curved lip and looks pretty good when closed. But I need some magnets or something to keep it closed. Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 recess your nails with a punch, add alittle filler and paint, and that is gonna rock! cant wait to see it finished. Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 thanks man, im pretty excited and its kinda fun. i was thinking of adding some kind of corner molding piece up at the top bow area, i dont really like how I have them bumping up against each other. Was thinking of something like this but need it kinda short or wont allow door to open if too long Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share Posted July 20, 2006 well im about done. I changed it around a few times since the last update. I wasnt happy with the curved front. i couldnt get the molding to flush up and was darn near impossible. I waisted about $30 in moldings trying to curve them and get them right. So i just heck with that and did it straight. All i have left to do now is putty up the holes, sand it all down, stain it.... I custom ordered a seahorse doorhandle for the door from Lowes. Its really cool. Im not sure if im happy with the door, the ornament looks kinda small, i might add some twirly thing or something on top and bottom... so let me know what you guys think. Once my sunpod gets here im gonna start making the canopy. The sunpod will be hidden inside the canopy with some fans blowing air out the back (backless) Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share Posted July 20, 2006 here is a quick climpse of the color its gonna be. Man I actually have a grin on my face this thing has turned out really good for it being my first attept at wood working. Few flaws, but overall im very pleased. Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share Posted July 20, 2006 nobody has any thoughts...? Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 looks very nice. take 2 looks much better. how much did it end up costing you total? Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 21, 2006 Author Share Posted July 21, 2006 well i threw away about $50 worth of wood changing my mind and trying to get molding to flush up, etc... but without waiste it would cost about $125 i would say. I also bought a $35 saw that I didnt have, some stain, nails, nail punch, etc iv started to stain it and its looking GREAT. the color is a little darker than that piece I showed after a 2nd coat. By this weekend I should be totally done with it. Then im gonna start the canopy. Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 keep us posted Link to comment
scarf_ace1981 Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 looking good. a piece of art, you should be proud of yourself. Link to comment
djchristone Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 man that looks awesome! but wow $125...O.O Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 24, 2006 Author Share Posted July 24, 2006 thanks for the compliments guys. Over the weekend I stained it, just wanted to let it dry thoroughly and Im gonna do a final sanding and spray some clear coat on it so if water falls on it, its protected. The molding cost $16 a stick and I used 2 sticks, thats $32 right there. Then the side panels and door was made of nicer wood so thats most the cost right there. Then the support beams, etc was all really cheap. My light should be arriving Tue or Wed at the latest, then Ill start measuring and designing the canopy. I hope to possibly have it done by this upcoming weekend So next week I can start thinking about getting some live rock/water and start my cycle. Ill post some pictures and keep ya updated on this project. I have started another thread to follow in my signature. I plan to keep ya updated with my entire tank there. Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 kick ass! looks awesome, and very similar to the look you were going for. nice work Link to comment
jeremai Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Nails, eh? No wood glue, screws, etcetra? Just a thought, but have you filled the tank up on the stand yet? I would be worried it can't hold the weight of 24 gallons of water... Link to comment
formerly icyuodd/icyoud2 Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 bet its 10x stronger than the mdf stands they sell for 24g aquariums. Link to comment
TheNanoReefer Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 i used wood glue and nails, some screws also... i havent filled the tank on it yet, but I could put a house on top of it this thing is strong!!! lol on the top part, where the aquarium will curver in the front, I dont like how that strip stops short. Im going to fix that also. thanks for compliments guys, im pretty impressed myself. Link to comment
Candi_MI Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 As someone who paid $70 for the piece of crap aquapod stand all I can say is WOW, that is a gorgeous stand you made, you should be proud of yourself! Any chance you're close to MI, I'd gladly pay you to make me one too! Good job, can't wait to see the canopy! Link to comment
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