DIY Stand... Advice needed

[Intheflesh]

I was pretty set on building a basic steel frame for my new 57 rimless. My friend who will be helping me with the build is telling me i should consider just builing it out of wood. My major reason for wanting a steel stand, is the fact that there is more room available inside the stand.

I will be building the stand a little bigger than the tank itself- 42" x 24" x 27" tall. I was planning on using 1-1/4" sq tube, 14 gauge.

My plan is to be able to fit a 20 gallon sump, and 5 1/2 gallon top off tank inside the stand. Right now I have a cabinet sitting next to my tank houseing my electronics and top off supply. I also want to house the electronics inside the stand in a sealed off 'cabinet'.

if i make the stand out of wood, whats the smallest stock i should consider using? My AGA stand looks like its made out of ~3" x 3/4" for the verticle supports. on the other end of the spectrum, I don't want to use 2 x 4s and make a huge ugly stand.

I need a surface area at least 38" x 22" to fit both the sump and top off. I can always build bigger, but space is a premium (as it always is) and 42" long is just about the longest i want to go. (depth isnt really an issue)

any thoughts?

 

[joecamaro]

You could use 3/4 inch plywood and skip the 2x4's.

 

[jayinh]

i would just use 2x4's for the whole build. if you place them where they need to carry the load you will be fine. most stands i see people build are probly able to support a small car on! i used 2x4's for my 125 stand, think shear load when constructing. if you are counting on any fastner the carry a load you are doing it wrong, place lumber over lumber so the load carrys all the way down to the floor.you can even build a frame using 2x4 and skin the stand with 1/4" ply. use glue where you can...its your freind.

 

[Flame Angel]

i would just use 2x4's for the whole build. if you place them where they need to carry the load you will be fine. most stands i see people build are probly able to support a small car on! i used 2x4's for my 125 stand, think shear load when constructing. if you are counting on any fastner the carry a load you are doing it wrong, place lumber over lumber so the load carrys all the way down to the floor.you can even build a frame using 2x4 and skin the stand with 1/4" ply. use glue where you can...its your freind.

Listen to Jay, he knows what he is talking about.

 

[Intheflesh]

Jay, I hear your the person to talk to about stands.


I'm pretty sure at this point I will just use wood. I was thinking of using 1-1/2" steel originally, and I sort of forgot that a 2x4 is only 1-1/2" thick anways... not really losing any space lol.

I still have a few concerns.

1) you bring up a good point about "lumber on lumber" to take the weight of the tank. is there any special precautions I should consider as the tank itseld would not be sitting directly over the legs? remember, I am building the stand with a bigger foot print than the tank.

2)part of the reason I originally wanted a steel stand is that I like the clean finished look of a powdercoated frame. Is there a way to acheive this look with wood? I imagine a heavy layer of grain fillers and sanding the eff out of it will get me close.

 

[MrX]

Lots of threads on RC about plywood only stands. Many of them have the plans and stuff you could just copy.

 

[Intheflesh]

RC is blocked at work for some reason... need to check that out when i get home.

 

[jayinh]

A larger stand is better in a way because it will spread the footprint load out to a greater area. even if the tank itself is not directly over each vertical leg you will be fine as long as the horz. members are supported by the vert. legs. if you do not like the wood grain effect i would recomend using poplar ad applying 2 good prime coats and a good top coat of paint. sand between coats for a super smooth finish.

 

[Intheflesh]

thanks for the tips!

 

[delta]

Use 3/4 "plywood it is so much better and actually stronger than 2x4.

2x4s do not have the lateral strength plywood does without a plywood sheathing, steel bracing or angle brackets.

The plywood will not rack like 2x4s can and do.

 

[22engine]

Home Depot has 3/4 inch hardwood 4x8 sheet on sale for 33 bucks. I used it for the skin and it has a way over reinforced 2x4 frame. I doesn't move and inch. Better to over engineer as far as I am concerned. It's a lot of weight and water that I want to stay in the tank.

 

[jayinh]

2X4'S Dont rack when skinned

 

[22engine]

 

[Intheflesh]

here is a quick drawing of my initial plan with the steel stand. The exterior dimensions are 42L" x 24"D x 27"H. The steel is 1-1/2" tube. In the corners are gussets made from 14 ga steel, and the 'wooden' panels are simply held in place by counter sunk magnets, and the panel is attached to the gussets.

 

[delta]

2X4'S Dont rack when skinned

Yes I noted that in my post. That is why they are not needed and that is my point as plywood does not rack 2x4 do. 2x4s are totally unnecessary

I would rather laminate 2 sheets of ply than use 2x4. that you end up with a 2"x32", or what ever the height of you tank stand is, that will never rack
and you can park a small truck on.

Which is what I do for larger trimless tanks, the ends and top are two sheets of ply laminated together.

I am not saying using 2x4s is wrong, just not needed

 

[Intheflesh]

update.... havent had time to really work on this project yet. I decided to scrap the steel stand idea (no pun intended).

I am going with 2 x 4, and skining it.

The only real progress I have made, is that I have bought the wood lol. I have ideas spinniing in my head on how to build it. Luckily I have auto cad at work just to get an idea if dimensionally my ideas will work. And then I use sketch up at home to make a more 'finished' looking drawing.

My basic idea will be the same. I want enough room to house a 20 gallon sump, and 5.5 gallon top off. I figure if the outside dimensions are 40 x 22, there should be enought room to fit both in there. there will be a walled off section above the top off to house all of the electronics, and it will be sealed so moisture can't just in. electronics next to water is one of my biggest fears, so i want to plan this safe.

I'll see if i can get around to making an updated drawing as to what i am talking about.

 

[Intheflesh]

hey guys, I'm building the stand tomorrow, and I was wondering what people recommend as a primer. I believe on RC I've seen a bunch of people using Kilz. I will be priming the whole thing white, then painting the outside frame black (leaving it white inside), and then skinning it at a later time with something exotic looking. I have a stand design on RC that I will be copy catting.

 

[Intheflesh]

Made some progress on the stand today.

Raw stock: **Large Image Link (249 kB)


Here's the top and bottom, not secured. **This was more of a test fit:
Large Image Link (311 kB)


Test fit of the top:
Large Image Link (213 kB)


The bottom frame with 1/2 ply. The bottom OG the stand will house a 20 gallon sump and 5 gallon top off tank. Note that I cut out space for the corner legs, but forgot to cut out a space for the center legs. Doh. I used liquid nails as my binding agent and nails to hold everything together While the glue was drying.**
Large Image Link (252 kB)

 

[Intheflesh]

My friend routing out the hole for the overflow plumbing:
Large Image Link (228 kB)


Getting ready to put the top on:
Large Image Link (240 kB)



At this point, the legs are attached to the bottom piece. Still trying to figure out how I want attach the legs to the top peice:
Large Image Link (226 kB)

 

[Intheflesh]

Here's where I am:



Unfortunately, I don't have many tools at my disposal, so I only make progress when I have time to go to a friends house, or waiting for tools to come in the mail. Right now I am waiting for a pocket drill tool so i can attach the top to the legs. I have made a 'drip' tray, lined in fiberglass. I have made some temporary braces to hold the legs squaure until I attach the top.