Cabinet makers...diy wire cabinet?

[Johnd651]

So Im drawing a blank. Want to add a small compartment/cabinet to hide the wires and controls on this side. I have one of the boards but don't like that it's open. Looking for ideas? I was thinking like a 1x6 box with plywood and a cleat on the back, with a simple door?

 

[Fish Fan]

I think you've got a solid plan, but I'll throw out another option and that is to repurpose something like a night stand or side table? Maybe find something at the local thrift store or up in the attic?

Good luck with your project!

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Amazon has some decent options for cheap. Resembles IKEA furniture, but still looks good and serves it's purpose.

 

[UncommonSense]

Is there space inside the stand on a door, away from the sump?

 

[Johnd651]

Amazon has some decent options for cheap. Resembles IKEA furniture, but still looks good and serves it's purpose.

https://a.co/d/bWXp0pc

 

[eggie]

Back in the days I did what you mention to hold all my controllers and wires. I added an extension to my cabinet. But you would ruin the cabinet side with screw holes





I suggest finding a nice Ikea cabinet and setting it a side like this





I went this way with my new setup



All my wires and controllers are stuck in the back of the side door including my 5 gallon reservoir

 

[Johnd651]

Is there space inside the stand on a door, away from the sump?

There is but I currently have the controllers themselves inside the stand....I think I want it all out. I have plexiglass on the sump in that spot, but I can also use the room for everything else, so I can put a ato container in the stand.

 

[Johnd651]

Back in the days I did what you mention to hold all my controllers and wires


But you would ruin the cabinet side with screw holes

I suggest finding a nice Ikea cabinet and setting it a side like this





I went this way with my new setup

Yes... that first picture is perfect. I just couldn't visualize it in my brain.

It was a used cabinet so there was holes on the side already that I patched and sanded before paint. It would be permanent so I'm not worried about the screws. I do also like the little end stand idea. It will come down to what scrap I have out in the barn. If I can't build it for free, I'll get an end table.

I have a new controller board, I just have a 6 year old, that has friends, and who knows how many other people might be curious so I don't want to display any of the controllers. I want it as far as possible from touching hands.

 

[eggie]

Ikea cabinets are good for projects and there price are good IMO
I would not use the adaptive reef cabinet inside the door cabinet its a pain to wire everything

 

[eggie]

Here it is with the door open

 

[Johnd651]

Here it is with the door open

Glass or plexiglass on the door?

It will come down to what I have for 1 bys in the barn.

 

[eggie]

Plexiglass for safty

 

[UncommonSense]

I was going to suggest the same, controllers mounted to a door!

I also used 3/8” acrylic for the last one I did, back face frosted, mounted using brass threaded wood inserts, 3/4” standoffs, and stainless machine screws… all wiring is clad in automotive braided split cable sheathing, red for power cables (vs. low voltage/data)…

 

[Johnd651]

I was going to suggest the same, controllers mounted to a door!

I also used 3/8” acrylic for the last one I did, back face frosted, mounted using brass threaded wood inserts, 3/4” standoffs, and stainless machine screws… all wiring is clad in automotive braided split cable sheathing, red for power cables (vs. low voltage/data)…

My stand is all open underneath so I want to keep it all separate. I did initially think about the door before I even mounted them on the back wall.

 

[Johnd651]

Think this will work?

 

[Fish Fan]

Think this will work?

I think you could make that work

 

[Johnd651]

I think you could make that work

I figured a piece of plywood on the back to be able to screw into, controllers on the door, doser in the top drawer???

 

[Fish Fan]

I figured a piece of plywood on the back to be able to screw into, controllers on the door, doser in the top drawer???

Seems like a reasonable plan to me. You'd have to kind of play with what you've got to see what fits best where, but I don't see any reason you couldn't use a cabinet like that.

 

[Johnd651]

So i got the cabinet but the material is thin. Thoughts on how to mount a piece of plywood inside without it falling apart?

 

[UncommonSense]

So i got the cabinet but the material is thin. Thoughts on how to mount a piece of plywood inside without it falling apart?

Get 3/8”-1/2” ply, just thick enough to fill in the step down between panel and frame, and just glue it to the panel?

Alternatively, you could always just leave an air gap between panel and plywood, screwing the plywood to the framing itself!