Design Software

[clown-lover]

Well I think I finally have something I can live with.. Specifics will probably change but the overall template won't. The only real problem that I had with this program was when something didn't end up exactly where I wanted it I used the scale feature which changed the sizes of the wood.. But I decided I wasn't going to use this for measurements I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way.. I also haven't decided if I'm going to paint the wood or stain/varnish the wood..

 

[Sploke]

Very nice setup there. I also use AutoCAD for designing setups, I used it quite a bit when I was trying to figure out the arrangement for my tank wall. It is a big help but you still have to do a lot of it manually. The biggest thing I've used it for is probably speakerbox design because I can calculate internal volume of funky shapes really easily. In any case, looking forward to the build.

 

[LesbianChap]

Well I think I finally have something I can live with.. Specifics will probably change but the overall template won't. The only real problem that I had with this program was when something didn't end up exactly where I wanted it I used the scale feature which changed the sizes of the wood.. But I decided I wasn't going to use this for measurements I'll just have to do it the old fashioned way.. I also haven't decided if I'm going to paint the wood or stain/varnish the wood..

Basically you're saying you have a 5' board and you realize you need an extra 6" on it, and scale isn't working right? What I do is doubleclick the component letting me edit it, and then use the Push/Pull tool on the face I need to make longer/shorter...when you click away, the object (and any other objects you copied from it) all change their size.

 

[strangerdejavu]

Looks very nice! I would stain the wood myself, it'd look great!

 

[wantvws]

That looks great! I don't think you can go wrong with paint or wood finish. When are you starting?
Robbie

 

[clown-lover]

LC - Thanks that was the trick.. Unfortunately I did use one of those pieces elsewhere and it does resize that one as well which really throws it off.. So like I said I'll use it as a guide, but I'll get the measurements the old fashioned way..

Ok so wood finish it is.. But then I'll have to go with either a honey or cherry wood finish as I really don't like the dark mahogony colors etc.

As far as when I want to start, well that is going to be dependant on the wood... I want to check through some of the non-big box local stores and see what they have for some good hard woods.. Then there is the whole cost factor and temperature factor as I don't have a heated shop.. (But I have been talking to the boss about snagging a couple of the heaters from the shop) With the temps over the next couple of weeks plunging into the negatives its gonna be just a little to cold to work out there without heat. But I have time to tweek the design and look at hardware etc.

 

[Cheech]

Looks great Clown-lover!! Very good job.

have you decided on what kind of wood to choose for the exterior finish ? you have so many options. I personally like maple and birch... not a big fan of oak.

Let us know how the project progresses!

 

[Cheech]

No thats just a frame and yes I did do it with 2x4's but I've been thinking really hard on this tonight and probably will end up using hardwoods.

Regarding the frame, will you be using 2x4s on the side units as well? I think it'll be overkill, and you'd be fine with using vaneered presswood to make those side pieces.

As far as the braces go, yeah I am wanting to have something there for some sort of support but still enough access to the sump. The overall cabinet will be completely covered, but I have not been successful covering this frame as of yet with wood products within the program even though it does have a layering capability.

I wouldn't add the braces either. That thing looks like it can hold a tank! lol. Little piece of advice, for what it's worth, if you can, laminate the interior cabinet of the sump with an arborite. or use a presswood with a melamine interior. It'll make cleaning much easier, and evaporation from the sump won't get into the wood.

0

 

[clown-lover]

Looks great Clown-lover!! Very good job.

have you decided on what kind of wood to choose for the exterior finish ? you have so many options. I personally like maple and birch... not a big fan of oak.

Let us know how the project progresses!

I am a fan of maple and birch as well.. I do like oak in some instances. I am a bigger fan of cherry and tiger maple though. But both of those in this area are very.. very.. expensive. So it will probably end up being birch.

I wouldn't add the braces either. That thing looks like it can hold a tank! lol. Little piece of advice, for what it's worth, if you can, laminate the interior cabinet of the sump with an arborite. or use a presswood with a melamine interior. It'll make cleaning much easier, and evaporation from the sump won't get into the wood.

The braces have been out for a while. As far as the interior cabinet and canopy goes. I was actually thinking of seeing if I could find some kind of marine paint/sealant white in color so it will help reflect the light back into the tank vs absorbing it into the wood as well as protecting the wood from moisture but I have to read up on these products as I am not sure what they would do to wood.

As far as the side cabinets go, they are going to have a 2 x 4 bottom just because the one side is going to hold about a 30 gallon container that is going to hold my mangrove trees. I know I could have gotten away with something different but with having 2 x 4's around for the other frame it will just be easier that way.

But I have a lot of research to do as I have done some wood working in the past I've not done anything like this before or this complicated. At most I've built a bed frame and a book shelf or three.

 

[LesbianChap]

LC - Thanks that was the trick.. Unfortunately I did use one of those pieces elsewhere and it does resize that one as well which really throws it off.. So like I said I'll use it as a guide, but I'll get the measurements the old fashioned way..

You can right-click them and say "make unique" so it doesn't change the rest of them when you made a change to one of them...just some tricks and tweaks I've used.