littlemay
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2011
- Messages
- 552
- Reaction score
- 10
Hi all!
I'd like to preface this by saying that i have never done anything like this before, but i like to think i have a pretty good head on me and that (with some help from some handy friends) i might be able to make this enclosure into something really special.
I picked up this great looking pine enclosure a week ago from RiPPle (thanks again mate, it was a bit of an effort getting it down from Newcastle to Sydney, but we got there in the end!).
My plans are this:
- Sand down the whole thing, re-stain a deep mahogany colour, seal with CFP.
- Replace wire mesh with false ceiling, install 2 halogen down lights.
- Install background with high profile basking ledge below halogens.
- Get some of those really lovely polished chrome enclosure handles from Virides
Since the enclosure is currently varnished, i figure i should go over it with medium grit sand paper before finishing it with something like 220 grit?
I'm planning to use a water based based stain, maybe 2-3 coats depending on the sort of depth i get, sanding between each coat. Any suggestions of a good stain to use? Will seal with several coats of water based satin CFP
My main concern is with the false ceiling + down lights. At present the distance between the mesh and upper ceiling is only about 12 cm, which i don't think will be enough clearance for the amount of heat being produced. I figured i might be able to increase this to about 20cm by recessing the false ceiling lower than where the mesh sits at the moment, would this be enough room?
It seems the most important thing with the down lights is to ensure that there's adequate ventilation, so i was planning to cut out a large section of the upper ceiling and replace that with vent mesh, as well as maybe install a vent in the false ceiling between the down lights.
What i really want is to find myself with a thermostat free system. Once the down lights are installed it would simply be a matter of trying out different wattage bulbs and measuring at what height i get my desired basking heat, right?
At that point i could begin making, or requisitioning to be made (was maybe thinking of blowing some cash on a Universal or Stein background), a custom background with ledges in the appropriate places. The only thing with the background is that i have a feeling it would have to be in several pieces to make it in, as the only access is via the smaller side doors. Still unsure about how that would work..
Here's a really rough diagram of what i'm thinking (note that the upper section and base of the enclosure are removable).
Would really appreciate peoples' input on this
I'd like to preface this by saying that i have never done anything like this before, but i like to think i have a pretty good head on me and that (with some help from some handy friends) i might be able to make this enclosure into something really special.
I picked up this great looking pine enclosure a week ago from RiPPle (thanks again mate, it was a bit of an effort getting it down from Newcastle to Sydney, but we got there in the end!).
My plans are this:
- Sand down the whole thing, re-stain a deep mahogany colour, seal with CFP.
- Replace wire mesh with false ceiling, install 2 halogen down lights.
- Install background with high profile basking ledge below halogens.
- Get some of those really lovely polished chrome enclosure handles from Virides
Since the enclosure is currently varnished, i figure i should go over it with medium grit sand paper before finishing it with something like 220 grit?
I'm planning to use a water based based stain, maybe 2-3 coats depending on the sort of depth i get, sanding between each coat. Any suggestions of a good stain to use? Will seal with several coats of water based satin CFP
My main concern is with the false ceiling + down lights. At present the distance between the mesh and upper ceiling is only about 12 cm, which i don't think will be enough clearance for the amount of heat being produced. I figured i might be able to increase this to about 20cm by recessing the false ceiling lower than where the mesh sits at the moment, would this be enough room?
It seems the most important thing with the down lights is to ensure that there's adequate ventilation, so i was planning to cut out a large section of the upper ceiling and replace that with vent mesh, as well as maybe install a vent in the false ceiling between the down lights.
What i really want is to find myself with a thermostat free system. Once the down lights are installed it would simply be a matter of trying out different wattage bulbs and measuring at what height i get my desired basking heat, right?
At that point i could begin making, or requisitioning to be made (was maybe thinking of blowing some cash on a Universal or Stein background), a custom background with ledges in the appropriate places. The only thing with the background is that i have a feeling it would have to be in several pieces to make it in, as the only access is via the smaller side doors. Still unsure about how that would work..
Here's a really rough diagram of what i'm thinking (note that the upper section and base of the enclosure are removable).
Would really appreciate peoples' input on this