Post by Shooting Star on Oct 26, 2007 11:04:04 GMT -8
Tank lids can be pretty expensive, especially for the larger sizes of tanks. The simple solution is to make your own. Thankfully, they're not *too* hard to make. 
Notes:
- All measurements are in inches.
- When measuring, round all values up to the nearest mark on your measuring tape. If you round values down, the lid will not fit!
=======================================================================
You will need:
Plenty of 1/4-inch wire mesh
Square pieces of wood for the lid frame (batons in the UK, square dowels in the US)
A hand saw
A mitre box
A staple gun
Staples
Wire cutters
A measuring tape
A marker or pen
The tank that needs a lid
=======================================================================
Step 1: Measuring the tank
Measure the length and width of the tank, and write down the measurements. Make sure to include the black plastic rim in your measurements, since the lid will have to fit over that!
Step 2: Calculating lid dimensions
From the tank measurements, figure out what dimensions you will need for the lid. The short wood pieces will be the size of the short side of the tank plus 1/4", so you will be able to hang a water bottle over the side of the tank. For example, if your tank has a short side of 12.25", the short wood piece will be 12.5" (12.25 + 0.25).
When you make the lid, the short sides will fit inside the long sides. So the long sides will need to be the length of the tank plus two times the width of the wood pieces. For example, if your tank has a long side of 24.25" and your wood pieces are 3/4" square, the long wood piece will be 13.75" (24.25 + 0.75 + 0.75).
Step 3: Measuring the wood pieces
Use your measuring tape and a pen or marker to mark the lengths you found in step 2 on your wood pieces. Remember: measure twice, cut once!
Mark all the way around the wood piece, to make sure your cuts are accurate.
Step 4: The mitre box
Set up your mitre box. Make sure it will move as little as possible while you are sawing. Some designs have a long side that fits over the edge of a table.
Put down a drop cloth to catch the shavings if you are going to be working inside.
Step 5: Cutting the wood pieces
Put one of your wood pieces in the box so that the marks you made in step 3 line up with the channel for right-angle cuts.
Use your hand saw to cut along the marks from step 3.
Repeat with all four wood pieces.
Step 6: Making the lid frame
Arrange your wood pieces in a rectangle, with the short sides inside the long sides.
Make sure the corners are as close to right angles as possible.
Use the staple gun to secure each corner.
Three staples should do.
Now you have your frame!
Step 7: Attaching the mesh
Lay your mesh over the frame...
...and use your wire cutters to cut out a piece that covers the entire frame.
Line up the mesh with the frame...
...and use your staple gun to secure the corners.
Once the corners are stapled so the mesh will not shift, use your staple gun to secure the mesh around the rest of the frame.
Put the lid on the tank, and you're done!
Notes:
- All measurements are in inches.
- When measuring, round all values up to the nearest mark on your measuring tape. If you round values down, the lid will not fit!
=======================================================================
You will need:
Plenty of 1/4-inch wire mesh
Square pieces of wood for the lid frame (batons in the UK, square dowels in the US)
A hand saw
A mitre box
A staple gun
Staples
Wire cutters
A measuring tape
A marker or pen
The tank that needs a lid
=======================================================================
Step 1: Measuring the tank
Measure the length and width of the tank, and write down the measurements. Make sure to include the black plastic rim in your measurements, since the lid will have to fit over that!
Step 2: Calculating lid dimensions
From the tank measurements, figure out what dimensions you will need for the lid. The short wood pieces will be the size of the short side of the tank plus 1/4", so you will be able to hang a water bottle over the side of the tank. For example, if your tank has a short side of 12.25", the short wood piece will be 12.5" (12.25 + 0.25).
When you make the lid, the short sides will fit inside the long sides. So the long sides will need to be the length of the tank plus two times the width of the wood pieces. For example, if your tank has a long side of 24.25" and your wood pieces are 3/4" square, the long wood piece will be 13.75" (24.25 + 0.75 + 0.75).
Step 3: Measuring the wood pieces
Use your measuring tape and a pen or marker to mark the lengths you found in step 2 on your wood pieces. Remember: measure twice, cut once!
Mark all the way around the wood piece, to make sure your cuts are accurate.
Step 4: The mitre box
Set up your mitre box. Make sure it will move as little as possible while you are sawing. Some designs have a long side that fits over the edge of a table.
Put down a drop cloth to catch the shavings if you are going to be working inside.
Step 5: Cutting the wood pieces
Put one of your wood pieces in the box so that the marks you made in step 3 line up with the channel for right-angle cuts.
Use your hand saw to cut along the marks from step 3.
Repeat with all four wood pieces.
Step 6: Making the lid frame
Arrange your wood pieces in a rectangle, with the short sides inside the long sides.
Make sure the corners are as close to right angles as possible.
Use the staple gun to secure each corner.
Three staples should do.
Now you have your frame!
Step 7: Attaching the mesh
Lay your mesh over the frame...
...and use your wire cutters to cut out a piece that covers the entire frame.
Line up the mesh with the frame...
...and use your staple gun to secure the corners.
Once the corners are stapled so the mesh will not shift, use your staple gun to secure the mesh around the rest of the frame.
Put the lid on the tank, and you're done!
).
