Big News today, I got my initial cut list for the shell of the stand. This whole shell will be built with 2 pieces of plywood. My biggest design hang up was on keeping any end grain of plywood from being exposed, and I played with a few ways to edge band my plywood before cutting rabbits, but I didn't like what I came up with. A must for me is being sure the top is supported from underneath, not the sides. I have seen too many custom built stands where people build the frame, then fit the top in the hole left, leaving all the weight to be supported by screws.
My design will have a double laminated top of 3/4" ply for a total of 1.5" Then sides will come down to the bottom 3/4" base. I will cut rabbits in the back to accept a rear panel that is 1/2". I want my stand to cover the bottom .5" of the stand just for an aesthetic standpoint. To accomplish this and hide end grain, I will skin the sides with 1/2" plywood, and they will be .5" proud at the top for aesthetics.
Finally, I will do some sort of face frame. I am undecided on either hardwood or edge banding ply.
At this point, I also do not have a design for the doors. They will either be flat with a hidden handle, or shaker style with a handle.
Internals are still top secret at this point lol....jk.
My plan is to do something similar to what Broadfield did with his orange lit equipment, but instead of being on the side, it would be a bar across the top of the sump area since my stand is tall and skinny. This whole contraption will be on Blum drawer slides for maintenance.
Stand will be 4" deeper than tank to allow for 5 holes that will accommodate a Bean Animal Overflow, as well as redundant returns.
I have decided on a Synergy Sump, jury is still out on a lot of other equipment.
I spent alot of time working on plumbing today, so much so, that I confused myself earlier today. I literally stared at a picture of the sump I am getting and then my brain decided to jump off the deep end.
I really like the idea of how my current set up is, hidden in plain sight, but it is so difficult to maintain, closed stand it is.
I will be adding some stretchers with pocket screws, these will not be structural, they will only be keeping cabinet square for assembly. A well built/glued cabinet is very strong.
Here is a rough drawing- I know its sloppy lol.
