CNC Plexiglass Lid for FijiCube 108

[Mas0n]

Man... idk if yall have seen the prices for a nice plexi lid, but its insane.

I decided to design one and have it CNC routed out of 1/2inch plexi at a local sign shop with great results.

Design wasn't anything crazy, pretty simple geometry and some fillets to make it look more polished. I left a 3inch feeding port as well, I will design and 3D print a cover for that soon.

CNC Instuctions:

Results:

I used some cheap 1/4inch mesh from Amazon, and some .140inch spline. Holds it perfectly and allows for a taut finish with not warping. I initially tried doing this with a window screen frame, but kept dealing with warping that was driving me insane.

Super happy with how this project turned out.

 

[Freenow54]

Man... idk if yall have seen the prices for a nice plexi lid, but its insane.

I decided to design one and have it CNC routed out of 1/2inch plexi at a local sign shop with great results.

Design wasn't anything crazy, pretty simple geometry and some fillets to make it look more polished. I left a 3inch feeding port as well, I will design and 3D print a cover for that soon.

CNC Instuctions:

Results:

I used some cheap 1/4inch mesh from Amazon, and some .140inch spline. Holds it perfectly and allows for a taut finish with not warping. I initially tried doing this with a window screen frame, but kept dealing with warping that was driving me insane.

Super happy with how this project turned out.

I have been making my own and keep changing my approach . I never thought of a sign shop . Beauty Idea Kudos . I have one nearby and have mesh . My linear Blenny keeps moving so the holes wont work but who cares . I have black Acrylic already so giddy up .

 

[Freenow54]

I was thinking of making it two parts and making a sandwich what do you think saves on making the gasket grooves ?

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Is this polycarbonate or acrylic ?

 

[Freenow54]

Is this polycarbonate or acrylic ?

If this is for me than Acrylic

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

If this is for me than Acrylic

Acrylic will warp badly, i have made my own lids and corrected the warp with vertical supports added to the lid. With out these any acrylic covering a span unsupported , will warp. My 40B lid has been up almost 2 years is has no warping, just built another lid for a 20 G AIO of mine also. below is a few pics of what I am talking about

 

[Mas0n]

If this is for me than Acrylic

Acrylic will warp badly, i have made my own lids and corrected the warp with vertical supports added to the lid. With out these any acrylic covering a span unsupported , will warp. My 40B lid has been up almost 2 years is has no warping, just built another lid for a 20 G AIO of mine also. below is a few pics of what I am talking about

I used 1/2inch acrylic above. Thanks for heads up on warping, I considered that but decided to give it a shot. I like the supports you added, that’s a clean solution.

I’m curious to see how 1/2inch will hold overtime.

What material thickness did you use?

 

[Mas0n]

I was thinking of making it two parts and making a sandwich what do you think saves on making the gasket grooves ?

That’s an interesting approach, it brings a lot of questions to mind though. How would you secure the pieces or replace the net if it gets torn or nasty over time?

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I used 1/2inch acrylic above. Thanks for heads up on warping, I considered that but decided to give it a shot. I like the supports you added, that’s a clean solution.

I’m curious to see how 1/2inch will hold overtime.

What material thickness did you use?

1/4 inch

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

That’s an interesting approach, it brings a lot of questions to mind though. How would you secure the pieces or replace the net if it gets torn or nasty over time?

weldon 4 to hold the vertical pieces, also the net is held in with spline, net is easily replaced if needed

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

That’s an interesting approach, it brings a lot of questions to mind though. How would you secure the pieces or replace the net if it gets torn or nasty over time?

once you get the hang of working with acrylic and weldon 4, things start coming to mind. I built this filter caddy for the AIO i made to upgrade a 20 gallon

 

[T-tank]

Man... idk if yall have seen the prices for a nice plexi lid, but its insane.

I decided to design one and have it CNC routed out of 1/2inch plexi at a local sign shop with great results.

Design wasn't anything crazy, pretty simple geometry and some fillets to make it look more polished. I left a 3inch feeding port as well, I will design and 3D print a cover for that soon.

CNC Instuctions:

Results:

I used some cheap 1/4inch mesh from Amazon, and some .140inch spline. Holds it perfectly and allows for a taut finish with not warping. I initially tried doing this with a window screen frame, but kept dealing with warping that was driving me insane.

Super happy with how this project turned out.

What was the estimated cost for this project ? Kinda want to do one going with sign Manf too. Thanks.

 

[Freenow54]

That’s an interesting approach, it brings a lot of questions to mind though. How would you secure the pieces or replace the net if it gets torn or nasty over time?

First just do one long side when cured do other long side and use the short sides to keep mesh stretched. As far as having to replace it over time I really have not given that a lot of thought but would think of something

 

[Mas0n]

Man... idk if yall have seen the prices for a nice plexi lid, but its insane.

I decided to design one and have it CNC routed out of 1/2inch plexi at a local sign shop with great results.

Design wasn't anything crazy, pretty simple geometry and some fillets to make it look more polished. I left a 3inch feeding port as well, I will design and 3D print a cover for that soon.

CNC Instuctions:

Results:

I used some cheap 1/4inch mesh from Amazon, and some .140inch spline. Holds it perfectly and allows for a taut finish with not warping. I initially tried doing this with a window screen frame, but kept dealing with warping that was driving me insane.

Super happy with how this project turned out.

What was the estimated cost for this project ? Kinda want to do one going with sign Manf too. Thanks.

It was $220 for the cut 24x48 piece of 1/2 acrylic ($150 material, and $70 for cutting). Then another $15~ for the spline and net bringing the total to $235.

Not cheap, but much less expensive than premade similar lids.

 

[Mas0n]

That’s an interesting approach, it brings a lot of questions to mind though. How would you secure the pieces or replace the net if it gets torn or nasty over time?

once you get the hang of working with acrylic and weldon 4, things start coming to mind. I built this filter caddy for the AIO i made to upgrade a 20 gallon

Very nice! How are you cutting it?

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Very nice! How are you cutting it?

80 tooth blade on my table saw for large cuts, same blade on my miter saw for smaller cuts. I do cut outs and slots with my router table

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

It was $220 for the cut 24x48 piece of 1/2 acrylic ($150 material, and $70 for cutting). Then another $15~ for the spline and net bringing the total to $235.

Not cheap, but much less expensive than premade similar lids.

you could have made it for $50

 

[Freenow54]

I don't want to make a big mess since I use a room in my basement . So I bought Japanese pull saws . 17 to 24 teeth per inch . Made for making miter joints with wood but am going to try them

 

[Freenow54]

If I use Acrylic . I found Polycarbonate pretty expensive . I don't anticipate a lot of warping since I am only planning on making a say2-3 inch frame which will rest on the tank rim .

 

[Mas0n]

Finally got to see it in action today. Very pleased with it.