Canopy Hinge Location

[Mako Shark II]

Hey y'all!

I'm in the final stages of building my Canopy for a new 120.

Question: I assume MORE (open lid) access space is better by providing improved access to the water & LR for aquascaping, maintenance, etc. I was thinking 9" from the Front. Now I'm thinking 9" from the BACK, and hinge the whole front panel and most (basically 16") of the deck lid.

(.....and I'll locate a separate feeding door on the side.)

Also, anybody got a local source for 48" continuous Piano Hinge in STAINLESS? Lowes & Home Depot carry brass & nickel, and the Stainless they DO carry, isn't 48".

http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewCatLevel3.asp?Cat=100

Thoughts??
Questions?
Comments?
Dirty Jokes?

 

[Rendos]

If you put the hinge too far back from the front...will it make it difficult to mount your lights?

Put 2 - 24" pieces of the Stainless they do carry in next to each other.

 

[bshumake]

a nun walks into a bar.....

 

[ducklabdad]

I mounted my hing halfway of my canopy. And when I build the next one I will not my hinge more than 4 or 5 inches from the front at most. As Richard said above, making sure that I had clearance for the lights would be my first choice.

In building it yourself I also would not be concerned in having the piano hinge go completly across, the weight you are going to put on the hinge assembly is going to be minimal. I would use a 36 inch and cut it in half and space it out from side to side. or use two 24" and space them.

 

[just dave]

.....desperately needing to use the restroom.....

 

[ihavtats29]

i used 2 small plated hinges about 4'' from the ends of the canopy, also my hinge location is about 8'' from the front
that left just enough room to mount my lighting in the center of the tank

 

[Mako Shark II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12711561#post12711561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by just dave
.....desperately needing to use the restroom.....

I'm sure that means something to someone; just not me.


I'll mount the hinge 10" from the front. That keeps the MH on the main deck lid, and I'll have one Actinic on the flip-top. No big deal. I want access to the tank's floor, unlike the Prestige line of canopies, where they paint you into a corner.

Thanks all!

 

[just dave]

a nun walks into a bar......desperately needing to use the restroom.....


The beginning of the only joke I know where just a nun walks into a bar.

....she asks the bartender if it would be alright. He says ,"Sure thing sister but let me warn you that in the rest room there is a large......"

 

[zebrafish]

<a href=showthread.php?s
....she asks the bartender if it would be alright. He says ,"Sure thing sister but let me warn you that in the rest room there is a large......" [/B]

More; I need the rest of the joke

 

[just dave]

"....statue of a naked man but not worry sister we've covered his privates with a fig leaf." The Nun looking a little flushed responds with, " I shall avert my eyes when I come upon it."
Now the whole time the Nun was talking to the bartender and while she worked her way through the crowd she noticed that every so often the lights in the bar would briefly turn off and on and the crowd would respond with a cheer. Undaunted by all this the Nun finally come to the Ladies Room and enters.

 

[Mako Shark II]

.....with that, I'm going back to building the canopy.

Thanks Dave.

 

[Cabin3tGuy]

only two things determine where you need to hinge the canopy ...

1.) the size of the cabinet stock ( if you are you using cabinet grade plywood you can hinge it anywhere but if you are using something like 1x12 oak or pine it limits you )
2.) how you plan to arrange the lighting under the hood

make sure the canopy is braced along the back ( 1x4 in whatever material you use is enough ) and also under the canopy ( the inside brace can be as simple as a 1x2 fixed into the top and sides )

a full piano hinge is also preferable to individual gate style hinges

 

[just dave]

A little while later the Nun emerges back into the bar to a big round of applause.

 

[Goibot]

Hmmmm my guess is that they mounted the hinge in just the right spot on the fig leaf where when the nun peeks it would turn the lights off in the bar???

 

[Mako Shark II]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12720305#post12720305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cabin3tGuy
only two things determine where you need to hinge the canopy ...

1.) the size of the cabinet stock ( if you are you using cabinet grade plywood you can hinge it anywhere but if you are using something like 1x12 oak or pine it limits you )
2.) how you plan to arrange the lighting under the hood

make sure the canopy is braced along the back ( 1x4 in whatever material you use is enough ) and also under the canopy ( the inside brace can be as simple as a 1x2 fixed into the top and sides )

a full piano hinge is also preferable to individual gate style hinges

.....oh! Rest assured & Thanks for the input!

Mitered seven-veneer 3/4" plywood, glued & air-nailed to 2x2 Wolmanized framing (which measures as 1-3/8") will rest on the AGA RR plastic frame top. (The plywood actually covers the plastic tank frame, concealing it at top (by the canopy) & bottom (via the Stand).

I'll finish the inside of the canopy (same as I already have the Stand) with Kilz Exterior Primer, and shoot the outside with several coats of Oil-base topcoat.

I'm ordering the 48" drilled Stainless Steel hinge from Grainger: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1CAL4

I'll post some of the photos one of these days.... Thanks!