Any of you DIYers know how to make a wood canopy for a 46 bowfront?

Berggy · 04-05-2008, 10:48 AM

Hey DIYers ...

I have the 46 AGA bowfront with the oak trim and the vertical pine board oak colored stand ....

Any of you DIYers know how/have made a matching canopy for this puppy?

Offer advice? How tall? Ventallation?

One reason I want a canopy :
I added light grid to keep the critters from jumping out and I suffered some light loss ... hate that.
Now when you look at the tank, the glare at the top from the reflected light is blinding. Hate that too.

Other reason ... Just looks ugly with the light grid, lights, automatic feeder out in plain view.

ckusnierek · 04-05-2008, 02:19 PM

take a board as thick as the bow is and use a band saw to cut out the bow. then lots of sanding

OneDummHikk · 04-05-2008, 02:39 PM

I don't have a 46 bow front but I have a 12G bow front that I am building a stand and canopy for. The easiest way is to do as Chris suggested and simply cut a board to match the curve. When I get my camera issues straightened out, I will be posting pictures of how I built the curved pieces for my 12G stand/canopy. I spent a lot of time building jigs and cutting wood to make it. It uses 4 pieces 3/16" thick bent and glued together to make my own curved 3/4" thick piece of wood. A lot of wood is wasted doing it. But, you get face grain on the trim instead of edge grain.

ckusnierek · 04-05-2008, 02:59 PM

you can buy canopies for bows.

OneDummHikk · 04-05-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

you can buy canopies for bows.

Where is the fun and challenge in that though?

But, I won't ever build another stand or canopy that is for a bow front tank. Simply not worth the trouble. It has been fun building mine, but, not enough fun to do it again.

Tasher80 · 04-06-2008, 06:29 PM

Are you trying to make it match the wood slats in your stand? If so take a piece of 3/4" plywood and cut two pieces to match than fix your wood slats to it. If you want a solid piece you could take a 3/4" piece of furniture grade plywood, cut strips out of it with a table saw so you can bend it. I think there is a website too where you can buy plywood for bending.

Loverotties · 04-06-2008, 07:01 PM

Soak the wood and bend it!I'd buy one!Lots of work and clamps and jigs!

Berggy · 04-06-2008, 11:05 PM

thanks for all the tips ... I'll let you know what I decide and post the pix.

YLChik · 04-07-2008, 08:56 AM

KIA built his you could pm him.

or buy a another stand adn flip it over

hng · 04-07-2008, 10:18 AM

The only "difficult" part would be the front because it has a curve to it. I am assuming that you have some experience with woodworking. First step is take a piece of sturdy posterboard or paper and lay it on top of the tank. Then, take a pencil and trace an outline of the tank - now you have an exact outline of the tank and more importantly, the curve of the front. Build the sides and back however you want to. For the front, what I would recommend is to take the posterboard tracing and transfer that to a piece of 1/2 inch plywood and then use a bandsaw to cut out two pieces that are about 1/2 inch wide, but curved exactly like the front of your tank. BTW, you should make it a bit bigger than the actual tracing so it won't be too tight against the tank. Now you have two pieces of beautifully curved wood. To complete the front, get yourself a good supply of 2 or 3 inch wide pine slats and glue/screw then onto the two curved pieces. This will give you the curved look and it will match your stand. You may have to do this in stages, depending on how many clamps you have. I would leave each slat clamped overnight for the glue to set. On the inside of the hood, apply latex caulk in between the slats to seal it so light won't show through (seal it with a good quality primer first like Killz).

chris23 · 04-14-2008, 01:58 PM

I made my frame out of 1 1/8" steel strap heated and bent it to a jig that matched the tank demensions. then welded it all together had it powder coated, then went to a door and window manufacturer and found 1 3/4 hickory to match the all glass stand I already had, then i was able to screw the slats on to the frame from the inside. It looks great better than some Ive seen .It was really pretty easy and in all cost about $300

Berggy · 08-09-2008, 12:10 PM

I invited our shop's carpenter over and he did just as stated above ... we put a piece of cardboard on top and traced it.

I bought some #1 pine for the vertical slats and a 2x6x8' piece to cut out the top and bottom curves for the front.

cut the verticals longer than needed just in case and made the curves longer than needed to meet the sides.

the trick is that i have to make the edges so the light can still fit inside the structure.

here is the rough assembly so far ...:

Berggy · 08-09-2008, 12:11 PM

we have decided that the structure is too tall ... so i will cut it down by 3"

hng · 08-09-2008, 12:59 PM

Hood looks really good, but I would really recommend sealing that bare wood up so that it won't swell up from the moisture. That will also kep light from shining through the hood.

Berggy · 08-09-2008, 01:03 PM

oh absolutely ... this is just the first fitting after cutting up all the wood ... it will have 2 coats of stain and at least 3 coats of poly to match the lower stand.