Help with Stand DIY

[Intheflesh]

I have been working on a 2x4 stand for my 57 gallon illuminata. to be honest, I didn't like the way it was coming out, plus the fact that it was wobbly, i used the wrong glue, etc... I decided to start over.

Over the weekend, I built a plywood stand out of 3/4 birch. It is an ADA style. I took my time, made sure everything was just straight, all the corners were square. Right now, I have the bottom with the back, sides and front beam attached (basically complete, except for the top.)

Even though I took my time, made sure everything was square, the stand still has a rock to it. Im building it on conrete, so I dont really think is is a matter of the floor being uneven. Is this a huge issue? I am thinking of adding 6 leveling feet to address the problem, but my stand is tall as it is and i dont really want to add too much more height.

The tank was build with a ton of wood screws and gorilla glue, so taking it apart and starting over isnt really an option. how can I fix this?

 

[JohnK]

Assuming that everything is square (why does it wobble???) then I would just shim the bottom when you set it up.

That said, if everything really is square and it is wobbling I would think that the wobble would probably be coming from one or more pieces of wood that have some natural warping. If that's the case, you can probably figure out where that is occuring and sand it down to correct for the warping.

 

[delta]

Level the top of the stand then see where is is un level on the bottom. Make sure the top is true no bows, sags or twists. If that is all good then you can do one of two things. Shim it or scribe it and cut it to the shape of the floor. While you can do everything write it doesn't mean it will still be 100% true. Even a 32nd of an inch adds up over several feet.

Furniture is scribed level to ensure it doesn't wobble, a chair or a table would look funny with a shingle under one or more of the legs. Nothing is perfect

 

[Intheflesh]

Thanks Greg.

In my mind, having the TOP flat an true is the important thing; I guess I was just looking for reassurance that my train of thought was on the right tracks lol.

Im really exciting about this stand, it looks 10-fold better than my last attempt. I will be finishing the inside of the stand with kilz, and the outside will be finished in black formica. I meant to document this, but forgot my camera at the house when I went to my garage to work on it. c'est la vie.

 

[Intheflesh]

I thought I would post a few pics of the stand so far. Should be done this weekend (hopefully)

 

[Intheflesh]

I will be adding a removable center brace in the front.

I also have the doors cut, but but have a trim peice to add before I can mount them.

THe left hand side will house all electronics. My goal is to not see a single wire under the stand. You couldnt tell by looking at my garage, but i HATE clutter.

 

[willray]

Looking good!

 

[Intheflesh]

this project is crawling....

I want to finish the stand in formica. I am planning on painting the sump area with kilz primer, and will not be getting the formica treatment.

stupid question, do I want to prime the whole stand? Im thinking that over time if the primer releases from the wood that the laminate will come off too!

Thoughts?

 

[Intheflesh]

prgress is slow, I admit. I have my doors cut and stained. The front of the cabinet (doors and trim peice) will be stained and the sides, top and back will be formica'd black. I was trying to create a textural thing, we'll see how it turns out.

Still need to poly the doors. hopefully that will be done this weekend. The formica won't be delivered until next week, so thats whats holding me back.

 

[Intheflesh]

So Frustrated. I have been slowly working on this for the last two months. This past weekend, I glued the last peice of laminate, hung the doors, and thought, IM FINALLY DONE!!!

Then I put the tank on. The front, and sides are nice and flush. The rear... well the middle of the stand has a high point, and the two rear corners where sitting off the stand. FFFFF.

Heres what I think happened: (cue aweful paint drawings)



This is a birdseye view of the stand. The little strip of wood behind the routed area for the over flows got lifted by the expanding glue, and I did not clamp it down well enough. This a high point was created.

My solution. Simply remove that strip:



In my mind, the tank should have a nice flat surface to rest on. I was wrong. The back right hand corner is off that stand by maybe 1/32. just enought that i can see light. So frustrated. I have the whole stand laminated, and not really sure how to address this.

 

[Intheflesh]

Here's the "finished" product



And the corner in question. THis is a horrible pic. You cant really see the gap, but I would guess that you would be able to fit a peice of laminate under it. (I am not suggesting this as a solution, just using this as a size guide):

 

[ljr]

And the corner in question. THis is a horrible pic. You cant really see the gap, but I would guess that you would be able to fit a peice of laminate under it. (I am not suggesting this as a solution, just using this as a size guide):

Contractors tip.... One of the best sources for thin shims is the laminate samples you can find at Home Depot... The are about 2x3 inches square and a 1/16 of an inch thick.

 

[delta]

Well the trim on that tank as with many is not always 100% true especially towards the ends. if the inner side of the trim is touching then NP. If it is not touching then it would depends on the distance it is not touching. but tanks can span a small distance with no issues.

 

[Intheflesh]

Well the trim on that tank as with many is not always 100% true especially towards the ends. if the inner side of the trim is touching then NP. If it is not touching then it would depends on the distance it is not touching. but tanks can span a small distance with no issues.

Ill take a better picture today. I'd guess about 1/2" is not touching.

My main concern I uneven loading on the glass

 

[delta]

probably just the tank trim and not an issue is if just the very corner of the trim. Next time check the trim on the tank with a straight edge so you know if it is true or not.