Difficulty of building a stand

Pola0502ds · Dec 19, 2016

I'll see if I can take some pics and post tonight. Once I get home from work I get hit with 4 kids and it gets kinda crazy.

ndz98 · Dec 19, 2016

I made a sketch on sketchup but I'm not sure how to drop the saved file on here from my desktop. Anyone got any ideas?

Or unless the picture is good enough? Also I'll probably end up changing the opening on the front and I will add side and back openings.

Edit: After looking back at the sketch I realized I typed in the wrong measurements pointing to the pieces.

ndz98 · Dec 19, 2016

Okay the measurements are correct here I believe and you can see where the edges of each piece end.

cromag27 · Dec 19, 2016

If you cut the bottom panel the exact same size as the footprint, you'll need to make sure the four wall panels are 100% 90 degrees. or else the bottom panel won't line up.

ndz98 · Dec 19, 2016

cromag08 said:
If you cut the bottom panel the exact same size as the footprint, you'll need to make sure the four wall panels are 100% 90 degrees. or else the bottom panel won't line up.

So if I make the bottom panel a 1/2" longer on each side would that help?

cromag27 · Dec 19, 2016

It would allow a little room for error. a little. you still want the stand as square as possible.

ndz98 said:
So if I make the bottom panel a 1/2" longer on each side would that help?

ndz98 · Dec 19, 2016

cromag08 said:
It would allow a little room for error. a little. you still want the stand as square as possible.

Do you trim off what ever is left on the bottom piece once you assemble everything or do you just cover the extra 1/2" on the bottom with some kind of trim?

Also overall, am I on the right track though as far as lengths and how it's assembled?

cromag27 · Dec 19, 2016

Flush trim router bit will remove the excess.

And yes you are!

ndz98 said:
Do you trim off what ever is left on the bottom piece once you assemble everything or do you just cover the extra 1/2" on the bottom with some kind of trim?

Also overall, am I on the right track though as far as lengths and how it's assembled?

ndz98 · Dec 21, 2016

Here is the front and back side of the stand. Are the openings going to cause any issues with the stand not being able to hold the weight of the tank or should it be okay? Are all my measurements still good? Should I add two braces at the top of the front and back panel?

Also lets just imagine there's another half inch on each side of the bottom panel since I forgot to add it lol.

TJFitz1980 · Dec 21, 2016

This is the stand I made for my 40 gal breeder tank

cromag27 · Dec 21, 2016

Yes, your openings are fine. could even be larger if you want. I just noticed your end panels are 17". once you add the thickness of the front and back, the total width of the stand would be 18.50". isn't your tank 18"? If so, I'd cut the end panels to 16.75" instead.

and yes, you could add a top support or two. would only need to be 2" or 3" wide and the main purpose would be to keep the front and back panels from bowing. they wouldn't add any tank support as none is needed there.

Pola0502ds · Dec 21, 2016

Here are pictures of my stand made from 100% plywood covered with plastic laminate. The plywood is actually a 5 ply 3/4 maple UV coated. Doubled up sides, verticle beam in the middle and beams running across the top. In my opinion a good quality plywood is the way to go. 2x4's take up too much room.