Without commenting on the type of joint to use, I must first warn you against the use of wood for a cover. It will always be subject to moisture. That's why the ones you can buy are made of plastic. Wood can be protected by finishes, but will always require maintenance to keep it from warping, twisting, etc. There is only one wood material that I would recommend. It is called MDO, (Medium Density Overlay). It is a plywood that has been impreginated with a plastic resin. It is the material of choice for signs used on highways. It doesn't absorb moisture and remains stable. Being a plywood, you would have to paint it or apply a plastic laminate. It comes in normal plywood thicknesses and takes some effort to locate. Sign shops usually have it and can order it for you. Sorry I can't be more help.
Can't decide joinery
Hi folks
I'm designing a canopy for my 75 gallon aquarium.
The canopy will be able to open in a couple different ways. One way will just open the front portion of the hinged lid (for feeding time), and the second way will be able to open the whole lid up and out of the way (for maintenance).
Think of the hinged lid as kind of an "L" rotated 90 degrees clockwise. One hinge will be near the intersection of the "L", but set a little further back, so that the piece can be opened and rested on the long part of the "L". I'll probably just use some kind of continuous hinge in this location.
The second hinge point will be at the end of the "L" and will lift the whole lid up on some kind of chest lid hinge. I haven't decided on hardware for the hinges yet…
BUT, my question is… what kind of joinery would y'all suggest at the intersection of the "L"?
This lid will be opened multiple times a day, so it would have to be able to put up to some abuse. I plan on using 1/2" stock so that the whole canopy is not too heavy, and can be removed by one person in a pinch.
I've included a sketchup model of the canopy, minus the lid…
thanks for reading!!
![]()
I'm designing a canopy for my 75 gallon aquarium.
The canopy will be able to open in a couple different ways. One way will just open the front portion of the hinged lid (for feeding time), and the second way will be able to open the whole lid up and out of the way (for maintenance).
Think of the hinged lid as kind of an "L" rotated 90 degrees clockwise. One hinge will be near the intersection of the "L", but set a little further back, so that the piece can be opened and rested on the long part of the "L". I'll probably just use some kind of continuous hinge in this location.
The second hinge point will be at the end of the "L" and will lift the whole lid up on some kind of chest lid hinge. I haven't decided on hardware for the hinges yet…
BUT, my question is… what kind of joinery would y'all suggest at the intersection of the "L"?
This lid will be opened multiple times a day, so it would have to be able to put up to some abuse. I plan on using 1/2" stock so that the whole canopy is not too heavy, and can be removed by one person in a pinch.
I've included a sketchup model of the canopy, minus the lid…
thanks for reading!!
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
