stratlogic
Well-Known Member
I have recently decided to build a grow box that measures 5'x2'x2' to stick in my closet. Now that I live in the wonderful state of California, it is legal with proper documentation, so why not? My intentions of this post are to inspire people with my ideas just as other peoples posts have done to me. Enjoy!
The first step I took before going out and buying materials, was to determine exactly what I needed to minimize cost by not purchasing any more than I had to. I did this by using a free program downloaded from Google called Google Sketchup. I highly recommend it. I have had much success in designing a mini-bar that I had also constructed. This let me build the box in
3D and to scale using the handy tape measure tool it comes with. The program is very easy to use too. It took me less than a day to get a basic understanding of it. The total for all the wood used for this box was $52 at home depot.
Lumber list.
2 - MDF sheets. 4' x8' x 1/2" $18.99 each
7 - 2" x 2" x 8' pieces $1.55 each
Optional items (well worth it if budget permits)
4 - Caster Wheels $3.79 each
16 - Bolts, Nuts, Washers (1/4") about $5
Thats it. I already had wood screws. I used 2.5" all purpose screws for the frame and 1.25" #10 wood screws to attatch the MDF to the frame. I printed up a template for the cuts needed to be made to the MDF and the dude at Home Depot cut it for me. 6 pieces total, 3 pairs of the same size pieces. Living in an apartment, this would have been difficult. I cut the 2" x 2" pieces myself.
I had originally planned to make the box only 4' tall but wasn't sure if that would be enough room. However, a 4' tall box would only require one piece of MDF almost cutting the price of the box in half.
I would be more than happy to hook anyone up with the file of my plans if you decide to download Google Sketchup since it is needed to view them. Here you can rotate it in 3D and take and view measurements yourself inside and out.
MDF pieces are:
1'11" x 4'11" (x2) front panels
2' x 5' (x2) side panels
2' x 1'11" (x2) top and bottom panels
As far as the 2"x2" cuts go here they are:
2"x2"
-----------------
1'8" (19") x12
5" (60") x4
On with the pics! I like pics when checking out other peoples post so I decided to return the favor. Unfortunately, the only camera I have is on my cell phone so bear with me.
Here is the base assembled. Two of the 2x2's are flush with the edge and the other two have a half inch gap for the fron and back panles to rest on. The sides will be flush with the ground. It will make sense if it doesn't now if you see the Sketchup file.
Part of the frame assembled. Depending on how much room you want to leave for the lights determines how far from the top the second cross piece is attached. I will be leaving roughly a foot of space because I want to put a piece of glass or plexi to isolate the light from the chamber. I will be giving the light its own ventilation independant of the grow chamber.
The frame is almost complete
Next I attached the two frame peices to eachother
After that, the frame is ready to be inserted and attached to the base
The side panels are now ready to be attached. However, I have chosen to put some mylar ($20 for a 25 feet roll at the hydro store) on the panels before doing so. This not only conceals the edges of the mylar, but will secure it too once attached to the frame. I did this by using 3M spray glue ($13 at Home Depot) on the panels and them unrolling the mylar onto the panel keeping it nice and neat.
Almost done, just finish off the top and the panels are done!
While reading some forums on this site, someone gave me the brilliant idea of putting wheels on the box for obvious reasons. I can't remember who it was, but these forums have proven to be an excellent source for pimping out my grow box haha! Anyways, I should have put the wheels on earlier on in the construction but it wasn't a problem. I flipped the caster over and used it as a template for where to drill my holes from the inside.
The first step I took before going out and buying materials, was to determine exactly what I needed to minimize cost by not purchasing any more than I had to. I did this by using a free program downloaded from Google called Google Sketchup. I highly recommend it. I have had much success in designing a mini-bar that I had also constructed. This let me build the box in
3D and to scale using the handy tape measure tool it comes with. The program is very easy to use too. It took me less than a day to get a basic understanding of it. The total for all the wood used for this box was $52 at home depot.
Lumber list.
2 - MDF sheets. 4' x8' x 1/2" $18.99 each
7 - 2" x 2" x 8' pieces $1.55 each
Optional items (well worth it if budget permits)
4 - Caster Wheels $3.79 each
16 - Bolts, Nuts, Washers (1/4") about $5
Thats it. I already had wood screws. I used 2.5" all purpose screws for the frame and 1.25" #10 wood screws to attatch the MDF to the frame. I printed up a template for the cuts needed to be made to the MDF and the dude at Home Depot cut it for me. 6 pieces total, 3 pairs of the same size pieces. Living in an apartment, this would have been difficult. I cut the 2" x 2" pieces myself.
I had originally planned to make the box only 4' tall but wasn't sure if that would be enough room. However, a 4' tall box would only require one piece of MDF almost cutting the price of the box in half.
I would be more than happy to hook anyone up with the file of my plans if you decide to download Google Sketchup since it is needed to view them. Here you can rotate it in 3D and take and view measurements yourself inside and out.
MDF pieces are:
1'11" x 4'11" (x2) front panels
2' x 5' (x2) side panels
2' x 1'11" (x2) top and bottom panels
As far as the 2"x2" cuts go here they are:
2"x2"
-----------------
1'8" (19") x12
5" (60") x4
On with the pics! I like pics when checking out other peoples post so I decided to return the favor. Unfortunately, the only camera I have is on my cell phone so bear with me.
Here is the base assembled. Two of the 2x2's are flush with the edge and the other two have a half inch gap for the fron and back panles to rest on. The sides will be flush with the ground. It will make sense if it doesn't now if you see the Sketchup file.
Part of the frame assembled. Depending on how much room you want to leave for the lights determines how far from the top the second cross piece is attached. I will be leaving roughly a foot of space because I want to put a piece of glass or plexi to isolate the light from the chamber. I will be giving the light its own ventilation independant of the grow chamber.
The frame is almost complete
Next I attached the two frame peices to eachother
After that, the frame is ready to be inserted and attached to the base
The side panels are now ready to be attached. However, I have chosen to put some mylar ($20 for a 25 feet roll at the hydro store) on the panels before doing so. This not only conceals the edges of the mylar, but will secure it too once attached to the frame. I did this by using 3M spray glue ($13 at Home Depot) on the panels and them unrolling the mylar onto the panel keeping it nice and neat.
Almost done, just finish off the top and the panels are done!
While reading some forums on this site, someone gave me the brilliant idea of putting wheels on the box for obvious reasons. I can't remember who it was, but these forums have proven to be an excellent source for pimping out my grow box haha! Anyways, I should have put the wheels on earlier on in the construction but it wasn't a problem. I flipped the caster over and used it as a template for where to drill my holes from the inside.
I'd be interested to hear how many plants your planning to put in there as well.
