Building a Stand and Canopy

[LISound]

Need some help with the upgrade. In order to build the stand correctly, I need to spend a few more dollars on power tools. not in the budget with a new born screaming his head off.

Could anyone help me cut the wood to build and skin the stand?
34"L x 20"W x 36" H

Not asking you to build it. I want that to be clear. If you wanted to help, well that would be cool

I would like to offer a FREE fishing trip in return for Tog(Blackfish) or bass/bluefish if you want. I can take up to 3 people...fishing out of Norwalk.
I'm a handy guy, just don't have the right tools for the job. I would assume we could build the stand and canopy in a weekend or two.

Thanks
Scott

 

[scolley]

Scott - just saw this. I've got a subscription to this forum, which means I should get a notice of all new threads. Used to work, but does no longer. Something mush have changed with RCs software. But I digress...

I wish I could help, but I'm in the same position. I just bought, stained, and assembled a commercial DIY stand because I don't know how to skin something. I've got a lot of tools, router included. But I don't know how to do that. Sorry.

Hope the fishing has been good though!

 

[Arusso713]

I have a skill saw and I am free sat if you need help. And a electric brad gun just need some brads

 

[LISound]

Hey guys,

thanks but i took the plunge this weekend and bought a compressor/brad nailer and miter saw.

Had some mistakes here and there but overall turned out ok for my first build. Doing a second one would be easy now and i have all the tools. Skinned in all 1/2 red oak. 2x4 design. I boxed it up but forgot to cut the front door and ended up cutting the wrong side...wouldn't you guess. Again, not a big deal but not how I intended. By the end of the project, my miter cuts were perfect.
i saw the mr. aqua review. nice work. I still need to build the canopy, but need to design in first.

 

[scolley]

Hmmm... I didn't have a brad nailer. Do have a miter saw that I'm KI
LLER with when I'm using it for straight PVC cuts. LOL

Glad it worked out. Like any effort I might be involved in... The end one would be perfect. ;]

You saw the Mr Aqua thread. Yup, that's me not having the courage to do skinning. Contrast on having the gumption to bite the bullet. Will contact you when my Mr Aqua collapses, and I'm in a hurry for a skinned stand.

 

[LISound]

skinning was the easy and fun part. everything else was just time consuming busy work.
Nail gun is a lot of fun. I'm now wondering why every room in the house doesn't have it.
Home depot made all the cuts for me and if you find the right guy on the saw, they are usually perfect.

 

[scolley]

Wow! Last night I was on a mobile device and did not see the pics. That looks GREAT! The top especially. Please post pics of your door. I'd love to see how you do that.

And how did you get that perfectly square hole? That's one of the reason why I bought the Mr Aqua vs. build from scratch, is not knowing how to do that.

 

[LISound]

just waiting on some ordered hinges for the door. I used a circular saw to cut the door. just a plunge cut to get the blade in. i was dreading this but it was very simple and easy.
now I'm dreading drilling the tank. lol

the door will be simple. I'm going to use window casing to frame the door and hide the cuts.

 

[scolley]

just waiting on some ordered hinges for the door. I used a circular saw to cut the door. just a plunge cut to get the blade in. i was dreading this but it was very simple and easy.
now I'm dreading drilling the tank. lol

the door will be simple. I'm going to use window casing to frame the door and hide the cuts.

looking forward to seeing that door. And I've got a circular saw, but not sure if I could make 4 cuts that straight. However I CAN help with drilling the tank. I don't have a lot of experience, but recently made 4 practice holes in a tank with uber thin glass (better practice 'cuz thin glass is harder to cut without cracking/chipping), then drilled my tank with all my livestock still in it.

That made the 5th of 5 perfect holes. Though I did have to lower the water lower than the hole, of course.

Easy peazy. Just lemme know if you need help. Not a lot of experience, but I think I've got it figured out - batting a thousand.

 

[dvetran]

The idea of drilling the hole is scarier than it actually is. Just take your time and let the drill do the work. I found that making a mold with wood and clamping it to the tank to guide it in the begining really helpful. As everything in this hobby take your time and it will turn out great. Should be a breeze after the nice cabinetry you just pull off.

 

[LISound]

I drilled my 20g. but just the thought of it cracking on me would be crushing. lol

i started a build thread in the DIY forum

 

[scolley]

Will have to go check that out. Thanks.

 

[scubaman2]

Scolley: brave cutting with the tank full.

 

[scolley]

Or stupid.

 

[LISound]

long update overdue.
Project stalled a bit due to my new son, but I'm back on track.
Water in the tank maybe by next week.
Sump this weekend and drill tank, plumb, stain, and seal.

overall i think the stand came out ok. a few things i wasn't happy with and many more trips to HD than i wanted. Trim can be bitc^!

The square in the center front door of the canopy is on magnets and will have a starfish knob. feeding door. so i don't have to lift the whole front up.

The bottom door to the sump on the stand is not square and the canopy trim is just out of level. but I've had enough redo's for now, they can be fixed down the road if I want.
time to get some water in it. I've had the tank for over a year now.