It has started

[NateHanson]

Dave, (if Moe doesn't mind my input)

If you want to use plywood for a wall or stand that will be painted you can minimize the print-through of the grain by filling the grain with Bondo, then sanding it flat. Otherwise it's hard to get rid of the plywood texture which tends to show through even a bunch of layers of paint IME. It's quite a bit cheaper than using higher grade veneered plywood for a smooth painted surface.

Alternatively you can use MDO plywood (medium-density overlay) which is exterior grade and has a resin-impregnated paper surface which takes paint very smoothly.

By the way Moe, that stairway/tank looks great! I'm very jealous that we won't have the opportunity to do that sort of project in our house any time soon!

Nate

 

[Moe_K]

(Moe sent me [his capenter/future wife] the link, so I guess that I will answer your plywood question)...
It's the 1/2" plywood, it's fairly smooth, the grain does not stand out like on the 3/4" cheap stuff (this is about $23-$25 per board) .... I've caulked all the edges, so water will not penetrate if there is a leak. They will be primed with a shellac primer and then painted with a semi-gloss paint. The stairs are a high grade 3/4" and the risers will be painted the same color as all of the wood/trim = cream. the tank has 100% access and storage from behind which is the kitchen pantry and stairwell down to basement.

and I cannot wait for it to be done also, so he can have his hobby back and stop being so bored!!! heh!!

~Leisu "I love him dearly, but he does not know a planer from a file fish..." JK

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I'm thinking whitewash stain, I kinda like the grain look. But the boss has to approve

 

[Moe_K]

BTW it's only 1/4" plywood. That was a typo.

 

[mikrok]

looks great, moe!

 

[NateHanson]

Leisu, that's some very impressive work! I wish I had more experience as a builder.

Nate

 

[wrassefan]

Nice!! So Moe, you the laborer??

 

[Moe_K]

I am the customer.

 

[R Baxley]

That looks great Moe. I love the idea of putting it under the stairs. What a great use of normally wasted space!

 

[Moe_K]

Big steps taken today (Sunday). I had to cut off a branch of the cast iron sewer pipe that came up under the landing of the cellar stairs. Many years ago, that's where the only toilet was in this house.
I rented that pipe snapper from Home Depot. I also picked up blades for the Sawsall that would cut cast iron.
This was one project where Leisu didn't want to get involved. I took the snapper to the basement and hooked it up to the pipe. There wasn't much room to maneuver between the rafters, and it was damn hot and dirty. I kept tightening the pressure, and rotating the snapper around the pipe. I spent a lot of effort to get nowhere fast.
In frustration, I decided to tear up the floorboards on the landing and cut the damn pipe with the sawsall. The boards were all rotten and unsafe anyway. After clearing myself a 3' x 1' hole, I got the sawsall in there and started cutting. In five minutes I took a look at the damage. I managed to barely make a mark on the pipe.
So I went back to the snapper method. After 20 minutes of tightening and rotating the heavy snapper, Leisu suggested we just ratchet the thing right the heck up (so the pressure on the pipe became intense) and see what happened. She started ratcheting from upstairs, and I ran out of the way. Four cranks, and 5 seconds later, the pipe gave way with a very loud "CRACK."
So, we learned how to use a pipe snapper. The sewer pipe extension is out of the way and capped, and the floor on the landing behind the tank will now be rebuilt and made safe.
Oh yeah, Leisu primed the tank stand and wall and it looks much better.
I'l post pictures as soon as I find my camera.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

She Hulk!!
I've made zero progress on my tank, all outside work, find out on building permit today.
We need pics!! I went around taking pics of my yard & flowers yesterday, everything is starting to come up. Are you painting or staining the tank area/plywood? I was thinking of "whitewash" stain (I know there is a specific name for it) for mine & then poly over that to seal it

 

[R Baxley]

Hey Moe, how about an update! Pics please!

 

[Moe_K]

Well, I lost my camera So no pictures for a bit.
Nothing much has happened since the 14th anyway. Leisu got a full time job, so we (she) can only work on construction on the weekends.
This weekend the plumbing should be arranged from the sump in the basement to the tank.

Edit: I found the camera.

 

[Tstone]

Edit: I found the camera.

Soooo where are the pic's????

 

[denvig]

Moe
I'm waiting............................

Here is the progress on my 110

Tank (110 gal of RO/DI takes a long time)

 

[seasno]

Nice job Dennis!

 

[denvig]

Thanks seasno

Moe the photos ....the photos???????????

 

[Moe_K]

Big set back last night.
Last weekend I cut out the holes in the stand for the return and drain lines. These holes are in the back left and right corners, of course.
On the left side (when looking from the back) we had to watch how much we were cutting into the support.
When we threw the tank onto the stand last night, we found the left side bulkheads weren't matching up with the holes in the stand. The holes need to move further to the edge - which means more of the support removed. Basically, there won't be enough support.
The upshot is the stand will have to be torn down and reworked.
Back to square one. Looks like this project will not be finished before MACNA. Perhaps before Xmas.

 

[Lourdes]

aw, that sucks sorry to hear that ...

 

[Ifferfish]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Moe, but that is what we are here for .... except for those that are really here for the beer. LOL Smile Moe, it will get better!!!