critique my DIY stand plz...

Devaji108

Devaji108

New member
before I go any further on it I would love some critique on the strength.

36x24x32 stand made of 2x4 pocket screwed together. modified rockets templet as i mess up calculating for sump.

will hold a 90 gallon 12mm thick starphire 36x24x24 tank. tank it self if very heavy. 200 + lbs
guessing total weight on stand will be 1300 to 1400 lbs...

1" plywood for the top. and 1/4 for the bottom.

i may add a thin pics of ply to the back and right side. then trim out in cold rolled steel.

left side 40br sump access.

<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20160215_125813.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20160215_125813.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160215_125813.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20160215_125839.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20160215_125839.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160215_125839.jpg"/></a>

as you can see 3- 2x4 for the back support and 2 in the front.
sump will take up to much space to add the classic L that the top frame rests on.
if needed I can add another 2x4 to the front ( not ideal) or a 1x1 of hardwood.

thoughts?
 
well that is what i was trying to explain with the sump there is no room the 40br takes up the 36"...
I prob could add one to each end.one front and one back... but I hear ya that is the week spot.
i'll go measure that out and see what I can come up with..
 
OH BTW I think rocket engineer came up with that design. I could be wrong tho, it really does not matter but around here its considered his plans.. I am sure they have been spread all over the net and changed up.
 
you can add a 2x4 just like he was saying but you can only have it going down half way just be sure to use a good bit of screws and glue and you can support those boards without hindering your space for the sump
 
hmmm thats an interesting idea. so you saying just attach to top then screw to side legs but not the bottom?

this is what i was taking about with adding one 2x4 to each side.
<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20160215_145805.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20160215_145805.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160215_145805.jpg"/></a>

top view. as you can see only 1.5" would be is supported. ( 2x4 not screwed in BTW)
<a href="http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/devaji108/media/20160215_145817.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/20160215_145817.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20160215_145817.jpg"/></a>

I did find a nice 1x1.5 hard wood in the barn. actual 1.25ish I might be able to squeeze 2 in and still slid my sump in. would be tight as I have a lil less than 21" of working space and 40br is 18" wide.

I guess i could always cut some 45* flanges as well..
 
Triangular corner braces on the joins of critical structural beams, wooden, glued and screwed, will give you a great deal more strength for very ltitle space. Triangles distribute weight and share stress nicely without adding a lot of bulk.
 
^ yeah i was think that as an option too. wonder what would offer more support 2x4 45* flanges or the 1.1/4" x1.5" hardwood beam?
 
Really if you ran the sides longer instead of the front 2x's both would have landed on a vertical post, that is what I would have done in trying to maximize space.
The rim/perimeter should have a vertical support of some kind below it, and running half a 2x relying on screws really is not ideal.
I would also pull those bottom 2x's out, you'll lose height for gear as is, and they really don't do much.
Instead of those I would do the ply top and bottom, both out of 3/4, and that will help give you shear strength
 
I would recut those 4 side pieces and put the extra legs in. The 6 bucks in lumber vs a broken tank and water damage is not even a question.
 
The legs needed could be added w/out cutting, and it's not the lumber or money, OP is trying to fit a large sump, space is priority
 
davocean said:
Really if you ran the sides longer instead of the front 2x's both would have landed on a vertical post, that is what I would have done in trying to maximize space.
Click to expand...

That's how I did my top frame with only single 2x4 verticals. Side sheathing, I did 1/2" plywood, takes care of any racking worries.
 
don_chuwish said:
That's how I did my top frame with only single 2x4 verticals. Side sheathing, I did 1/2" plywood, takes care of any racking worries.
Click to expand...

yeah if I thought about it I would have done it that way. I had my wood cut for a classic rocket templet with 21 pieces, got to thinking wait a sec. this does not work. last 2 times I built a stand that was not an issue. the 75 had plenty of space and a lil small 40br was just a stand. so it did not even cross my mind so chatted with him a he said 2x4 should be plenty. i am guessing he thought I was gonna do like you did.

yes I can redo the stand if need be I just dont think I really need to as we have options here.

1. cut 45 gussets/flanges and pocket screw them in.
2. use a heavy duty metal L bracket screw that in.
3. 1x1.5 of hardwood prob. stronger than if I did where the 2 pieces meet on the support leg.

now the question is what is "best"?

at this point I am leaning for the 1x1.5 support. only issues in seeing if a can find a local source for the right pocket screws i need. oh the joy of livng in a small town in the middle of no where.
 
davocean said:
Just thought, did you add the 2x's on bottom so sump goes from end to end, and reason for the lift?
Click to expand...

there there to suport the 1/4 plywood so it does no bow in the middle. I have some sheets that are 14" wide so i need more than one to make it work. i know it adds some weight but not to much.
 
Ha, my friend lives there, it's a small gripe for getting to live in such a cool place.

Out of those 3 the 1x1.5 is best IMO
Brackets will rust, corner gussets rely on screws holding weight, so neither of those would be a choice I would go w/
Did you glue your lumber?
Is it w/ screws or nails?
 
Devaji108 said:
there there to suport the 1/4 plywood so it does no bow in the middle. I have some sheets that are 14" wide so i need more than one to make it work. i know it adds some weight but not to much.
Click to expand...

It's not about the weight, it's gear height, but if the sump does not fit inside that perimeter I guess they may be needed
 
One thing I'm finding is that the side sheathing is quite handy for attaching things to. 1/2" is enough to put a screw in without much trouble. 1/4" would be a pain.
I plan to hang controllers & whatnot on the back of the stand, for example.
 
davocean said:
Ha, my friend lives there, it's a small gripe for getting to live in such a cool place.

Out of those 3 the 1x1.5 is best IMO
Brackets will rust, corner gussets rely on screws holding weight, so neither of those would be a choice I would go w/
Did you glue your lumber?
Is it w/ screws or nails?
Click to expand...

yeah thats what I will to in tomorrow morning. i think it would add alot of support. just used 2.50" kreg screws no glue.

lets see if I can get the pocket jig to work on such a small piece of wood..
 
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