DIY stand

[redfishbluefish]

There is no way you need four sheets of plywood! You do realize a standard sheet is 4 by 8 feet. I would only use 1/4 to 1/2 inch to skin the sides.....not 3/4....that's used on the top only and the floor of the stand. I used 3/8's to skin mine...because that's what I already had.

 

[JoshH]

lol red I was just about to edit my post with that exact same thought 4 sheets of plywood would skin a 600 gallon tank top and bottom lol

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Gotcha! Thanks for the heads up guys!! I completely forgot about the plywood for inside the stand as well! Glad I said something even tho we all know multiple trips to the hardware store is always imminent [emoji23][emoji23]

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Well the dimensions of the stand is going to be 50" long by 20" deep by 36" tall

 

[JoshH]

if you only go multiple times count yourself lucky, 50 or so trips is usually my typical count anytime I do a project. and the 50" length definitely piles on the waste that's for sure but still not 4 sheets worth if cut right. Two sheets at the most to skin the stand and 1 more for the rear and floor panel.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm calling a time out!

You might wish to reassess your ability to build your own....between your skill level and now seeing that you live in a condo/apartment. I own a house and do all my plywood cutting outside...will you be able to do that. If you do decide to go forward, you mentioned you had a circular saw. I would make the cuts yourself using a speed square on dimensional lumber and a straight edge that clamped to the plywood to cut the plywood.

The speed square can be had at Harbor Freight for a couple bucks:

HF doesn't have the long cutting guide, but HD has one for about $20:

and HERE's the link to that cutting guide.


Both of these tools will make sure your circular saw cuts are straight.

Remember, measure twice and cut once!


Saw horses would also make the job a bit easier.


And one final note....I see you live in NJ. If you wish to bring your wood over, I'd cut it for you....although I believe Blackwood is pretty far down south.....so far down south, I don't know were it is. Do you guys speak with an accent?

 

[haanstang]

Here is mine 3/4" plywood 2x4s 2x6s and 4x4s

Here are good instructional videos
has tons of more videos on this subject

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Someone else posted this video earlier in the thread lol but nice looking stand you made yourself!!

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I'm calling a time out!

You might wish to reassess your ability to build your own....between your skill level and now seeing that you live in a condo/apartment. I own a house and do all my plywood cutting outside...will you be able to do that. If you do decide to go forward, you mentioned you had a circular saw. I would make the cuts yourself using a speed square on dimensional lumber and a straight edge that clamped to the plywood to cut the plywood.

The speed square can be had at Harbor Freight for a couple bucks:

I'm looking up the straight edge to see if they carry it or if you'll have to get that at home depot....so I'll edit this in a couple minutes.


Saw horses would also make the job a bit easier.

I mean I do have a deck I could cut stuff on, I'd just have to throw down a tarp or large blanket so the saw dust doesn't go onto my neighbors patio below lol

 

[JoshH]

I'd do it all in a condo but that's just me lol. Getting the sheets cut close to the measurements you want will make things much easier for you especially if you need to use your deck area. Both the speed square and circ saw guide are necessities for something like this if you don't have a table saw. Be careful with the guide and do some test cuts to make sure you get the proper offset measurement for setting up the guide before you make your cuts.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Yeah no table saw.. just handheld power tools so anything that'll help with the cuts will be better for me

 

[JoshH]

Then I'd definitely recommend the guide, they aren't that much money and are worth every penny. As I said before, just set the guide up on a scrap piece of wood, make a cut and measure the exact distance from the edge of the guide to the side of the cut closest to the guide and that will be your offset measurement. As long as you stick with that you'll be able to set up and make exact cuts easily with the guide every time

 

[Sobo's Reef]

Red, where do you live?? I've moved since I last updated my info. I live in Sewell now

 

[smh254]

I live in a condo. I watched this video first. Then I got all the measurements for the length of the 2 x 4's I needed. I went to Home Depot and had them cut all the 2 x 4's I needed. You'll have to make sure they cut them to the exact length. Took them home and threw it together.

 

[smh254]

After the stand was built I used wood filler in all the gaps. Sanded everything smooths out on my balcony. Then I painted this stand black.

haven't painted the covers yet but I will.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I live in a condo. I watched this video first. Then I got all the measurements for the length of the 2 x 4's I needed. I went to Home Depot and had them cut all the 2 x 4's I needed. You'll have to make sure they cut them to the exact length. Took them home and threw it together.

That's what I plan on doing.. and if one is off I can always trim it up

 

[Sobo's Reef]

How do you have your front door set up?

 

[smh254]

On the stand I drilled two holes in inserted magnets in them. then I got home depot to cut me a piece of 1/8 inch plywood the size I needed. I chipped out the back of the plywood to install magnets. Then I put stiffener bars on the back of the plywood. On the bottom of the cabinet I actually used book shelf clips that I rigged up a little. So now the panels slide it in at the bottom and are magnets at the top

 

[Sobo's Reef]

In that video he states that the wood is actual 1.5" x 3.5"... if this is true then I'd have to add an inch to the other 2x4's fitting in between the others right? Like if my long pieces are 50", the pieces running front to back would need to be 17" in order to make it 50" x 20" correct?

 

[smh254]

Sideview. Haven't made the covers for the side yet.