Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am making a custom enclosure and I wanted to see if any of you had any ideas to help me out... the top of the enclosure will be glass... but I would like for it to be hinged... is there a way to attach hinged to glass without it looking bad? I have figured out how to lock the top and all the other details, this is the last adjustment I will have to make before I go out and get everything and start building. The back (where the other half of the hinge will be attached) is going to be plywood. If it would be too hard to hinge it... does anyone have any other suggestions to make the top glass without making it a sliding door? Thanks in advance for any replies... if you have pictures of custom tanks please post them.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

There are hinges for glass, similar to the hinges on stereo cabinets, that I found at Lowe's (so Home depot probably has them too!). They were not cheap! I ended up going with sliding glass doors on my set up. You could always frame out the glass with wood & just attach standard hinges to the wood. Last resort...have a glass shop install hinges.

Stereo cabinet hinges ....
these will work but you will need to make them hinge to swing open to the left & right, Here they run about $10 for two pairs of them so not to expensive. the next thing that you will need to tackle is the locking of the doorsif it will be two doors you will need a positive latching system much like this while they are not cheap they work well w/o having to drill the glass which would run you about $35-$50.00 per hole to have done by a glass shop depending on your location and their prices.
this is the top of line NoBore locking system for double doors

This is the runner up No Bore locking system for double doors

This is the cheapiest of the no bore locking systems and made for a single door

if you would like email me i can give you more info on these style locks .
Alan
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....
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edited signature file to remove advertising slogan. Please update accordingly. [phw 3/25/04]

I just wanted the top to be one piece of glass that is hinged in the back and lifts up in the front... I am trying to avoid having 2 pieces of glass... I figured a way to secure the glass if I do it the way I would like to, so locking it isn't an issue. Thanks alot for the info though. I appreciate it and the detailed pictures will help with another project or a last resort on this one.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Thanks... I will look at Home Depo... all the supplies to build it are a gift for my B-day though, so I am trying to keep prices decent.I was thinking about framing out the glass, but I would rather not if I dont have to. thanks again for the input though... do you know how the hinges attach to the glass?
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

the hinges have two set screws that tighten to a small metal plate that attaches to the glass with a self stick tape.The set screws tighten to the metal plate on the glass so that it doesnt stress the glass to make it crack.One thing you will need to keep in mind with this style hinge though is that you will have to make sure you dont over extend the door when opened as if you do you will hit maximum swing point of the hinge and would stand a chance at breaking the glass.
the locks i posted simply have a plastic set screww on the back side that tighten to the glass from the back side and doesnt need a plate to lock the door you would need to router out a section that the strike plate would fit in that comes with the locks . they are nice locks and do keep the doors locked securely
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....Creating better ideas today then the day before while i dont claim to have invented the wheel... im just making that wheel roll a little better ... Edit this !www.junglehabitats.com and www.junglehabitats.com/forums/portal.php

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edited signature file to remove advertising slogan. Please update accordingly. [phw 3/25/04]

Thanks I will look into those... I just keep looking at my entertainment center which has hinges from glass to wood like I want... but they are small hinges that go on the corners... my cage being 4' long.. I dont think I want a small hinge on each corner with no other support... I wonder if they have one for the middle that would help to support all the glass. Anyway thanks again... I will go see what they have.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~