Third DIY: Overflow Box

[Gujustud]

Well I finished this a while ago, but I haven't been able to get my hands on a digital camera (my bro being a prick as usual). I wanted to get pictures of it up, so I went to my last resort, using my camcorder to capture some pics, so PLEASE excuse the quality of these pictures.

All pictures located here (http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=52&page=1)

Incase you're wondering, I believe the size is 6x2x4", and everything was done on CNC.

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/albums/userpics/aquarium/diy/normal_overflow.jpg

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/albums/userpics/aquarium/diy/normal_overflow04.jpg

2 Suction cups hold the overflow onto the back glass.
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/albums/userpics/aquarium/diy/normal_overflow00.jpg

Inside view. All the teeth were milled out, using a bottlenose endmill to give it the smooth ramp. Figure this will make it less noisy when the water enters.
http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/albums/userpics/aquarium/diy/normal_overflow05.jpg

Now I haven't actually used this overflow yet. I don't have anything to use it with, however hopefully within the month, once my stand/sump is ready, I'll be able to try it out (I've tried the basic bathroom sink test, and it does flow water in rather quietly.

[Guy W]

I would be worried about the suctioncups failing at some point, but other than that it looks cool.

I would like to ask you for some more info on how you made the cut outs for the teeth. What tools are required to do that?

Thanks,
Guy

[Gujustud]

Originally posted by Guy W
I would be worried about the suctioncups failing at some point, but other than that it looks cool.

I would like to ask you for some more info on how you made the cut outs for the teeth. What tools are required to do that?

Thanks,
Guy

Lol, yeap, that was my mistake. I'll be scraping that idea of the suction cups, after many people said its a bad idea. I should of thought about it. I'll be making some type of arm to hold it onto the side of the tank instead.

The cuts were made on a CNC machine, as I work at my dad's CNC Machine shop.

http://haascnc.com/prod/pi/25823.jpg

Thats one of the machines we have, along with a VF-2 (a smaller version). I used a bottlenose endmill run at 2500rpm to give it the finish. Everything is drawn up on CAD, then programmed, for the cnc machine, and its all automated on the machine.

[Guy W]

yikes, sounds a little complicated. I hope there is an easier way, for folks like me without computer controlled machines... :(

[M-pire]

I'm sure you could always make a jig out of wood and use a router.

We have those CNC machines here at UK. It is amazing to watch them in action!

[scootrnerd]

machines are takin over man! nice overflow though. wonder if they got a cnc water changer?

[wantvws]

Wow...that is one cool overflow box.
Lemme know if you make some headway on that CNC'd water changer:D
Robbie

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Haha, I took 3 years of Machine Tool Technology in college. Too bad I was into RC Cars during that time or I would have made some cool aquarium stuff lol.

[a1t2o]

How much would that cost if I were to ask you to make me one? I would only need it to be 4x2x4. And how would you assemble the rest of it?