[Steve H.]

I think I have finished the frame for my 155 bowfront. I still plan to add some center bracing along the top, bottom, and back, and lay down a plywood floor. Aside from that, this part is done I think. Look ok? Think it's good sturdy design?

[Reefland]

That is looking great! How do you plan to finish it? Do you have any updated pics?

What are you doing about a canopy?

Regards,
Scott Z.

[RobG]

looks awesome. Lots of space down there.

Excuse my woodworking ignorance, but how did you cut the bow?

[Steve H.]

Hey, thanks a lot guys! Yes, I have some updated pics. I got the center bracing in and the floor and top done. Below the pics is the design I decided on that will kinda give an idea of how I plan to finish it, and how I plan to do the canopy. One thing that has changed from the original design is instead of making several doors in the front I plan to cover the front with plywood and cut it in half, making the whole front two big doors that swing open. This should give the stand an overall clean appearance and give me easy access to the entire space inside. Which is important since this is in an apartment, where everything will have to fit inside the stand.

The canopy is a somewhat suspended design. I don't want it hanging from the ceiling, but I don't want it enclosing the entire top of the tank either. Basically I'm going to try and build it smaller than the tank footprint and rest it on supports like in the diagram. From the front view hopefully it will look like it's hovering over the tank, and it should help some with the heat.

To cut the bow we traced the bow of the tank on to a piece of cardboard and made a template, then traced the bow template on to the 2x10. Then I cut the bow out using a jig saw! It took forever, and ever, using that jig saw. But we got it done.

[kevinpo]

Great job! It looks plenty sturdy to me.

Regards,
Kevin

[Steve H.]

I have a lot of pics since I last posted. Rather than posting them all here I have put them on a web page.

155 Bowfront Stand Pics

This is the latest pic I have, which is not on the web page yet:


Tonight I got the doors cut out and the inside sealed and painted. Should be able to knock it out by midweek or so. This has been a real challenge for me to build and I almost threw in the towel a few times, but I'm glad I stayed with it.

[Steve H.]

Another pic, with the finished doors. Almost done.

[scubadude]

Beautiful work Steve! Please post pics of your canopy to when you get done

[stang69]

That looks great

Jeff

[hllywd]

FWIW... I have a little project going on in my billiard/theatre room right now. I'll eventually be building either a 72 or 90 gal bowfront into the end of our bar. I will be using 1/4" flexible dry wall to make a curved wall to conceal the lighting. A 4x8 of the flex is about $11 locally, I used it this past summer to make some curved soffits when we were redoing our kitchen. It will bend around an 18" or 20" radius so it has great potential for anyone wanting to build in a bow.

Steve, I think the stand looks great and I especially like your methods of persuasion, it's not offten you see a bottle jack used in cabinet making...
Tim

[Steve H.]

LOL! Well, sometimes you have to get a little creative. The stand is actually done now and the tank is up and running. I have not had time to get started on the canopy, but it's coming soon.

I am looking forward to seeing your bow project, it sounds really great!