bowfront canopy project

[An3]

well this weekend im gonna start my 72 bowfront canopy project and i need some info on a material list. the canopy is gonna house 2 250 mh and 2x54 t5, ballasts are gonna either be along the outside back of the canopy or just on the side of my cabinet

[spectrajoel]

I'm working on the same thing...except only smaller (46g). Interested to see how you do the curve.

[tkang69]

I did a canopy for a 36 bow. I traced the curve over the top of the tank, and then went crazy with a jig-saw to cut the curve out. I applied 1/4" plywood across the face to secure the bow. I have pictures of most of the setup in my gallery.

[MJAnderson]

I've done some research on this. I'm just going to plank it vertically using a wainscotting kit sold at HD. They come tongue and groove which should help with the light showing through. If you wet and heat the wood, it will allow it to bend more and when it dries it will retain the curve. Either a heat gun or just dip the wood and toss it in the oven. I've seen some people not heat it and just force it to the curved frame using 2 wood screws on the top and bottom, then cover the woodscrews with a piece of 1/8" laminate.

I'm going to try menthod 1. If that doesn't work out come the screws...

[jcm1229]

You can use bendable plywood for the front. Do a sesarch in this forum under my username for more info.

[Safir]

http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20003.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20004.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20005.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20007.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20014.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20017.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Aquaria/46G_Bow/LowRes/Canopy_Construction%20023.jpg
http://freebmw.net/safir/Cats/Sand/LowRes/Sand%20004.jpg

some details on the construction of mine, and completed - 3/4" plywood frame, 1/4" oak skin, 30" piano hinge, bunch of screws and finish nails, paint, stain, polyurethane.

[MJAnderson]

Looks good Safir. I have the AGA stand, so mine is planked. Yours looks much cleaner.

[Safir]

I built the stand in much the same manne as the canopy - 3/4" ply forms with a 2x4 frame to hold the weight - skinned inside and out.

I didn't like the look of any of the "inexpensive" bowfront stands, and ones i liked started at about $300-400 for just the stand. for $2XX in materials i built he stand and canopy and got all teh extrs i wanted, like extra depth to both for plumbing and the height i needed for my equipment in the canopy

[An3]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7694480#post7694480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spectrajoel
I'm working on the same thing...except only smaller (46g). Interested to see how you do the curve.
im gonna be using something called wiggleboard for the curved part. it comes in 1/8" and i think 3/16" thick, oak finish we shall see how it comes out...
PS...what should i use for the framing 1x3,2x3 or what do u guys suggest and how much of it