DIY Stands Template and Calculator
- Thread starter RocketEngineer
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To update, My posts weren't all touching as they should, nor were my diagonals all equal, so I tore it apart and will rebuild with clamps and a larger square. Frustrating isn't the only F word I have used today. But, better than having something fail.
I also will run some numbers to see at what point the timber would fail on a 2x8 if possible. I have a hard time believing that just a single 2x6 is enough to support the length.
I also will run some numbers to see at what point the timber would fail on a 2x8 if possible. I have a hard time believing that just a single 2x6 is enough to support the length.
Yeah boy ! With tank that size you don't want any gaps on those supports. I wouldn't go with out a brace on the bottom either if I were you. Your tanks 8' long right? a little under 4 foot on either side of a brace should leave you with plenty of room to work around. Learn to make those clamps your friends dude. You can do some amazing projects with a good saw and good old bar clamps.
Do you have a chop saw or a compound miter? If so cut your legs a little longer then you want them to be on the 1st cut. Then flush up two at a time on one end and flush cut the other end of the two on your miter or chop saw to final length. That should leave you with no gaps at all when you assemble this time.
Pay special attention to your box frames as well you want them flush on the tall side as well as the end. Glue'em, lightly clamp'em, center them up, clamp them down then do the same on the other side. Put your center braces in last on your box frames or its likely to mess you up and take you out of square. Do both ends then place your center braces.
Well I have 3 coats on mine now. One more coat of gloss black then its time for a poly spray. The local Home Depot AND Lowes were both out of black shelving or I would have cut those today.
Ah well .. I still need to make my doors and side panels any way.
I am sure by mid week when I pick up more 1x4's for the doors and side panels they will have them back in stock.
The reason I am using it is the finish on it is tough, and its stronger then 1x4's when laid flat ( I don't want to use 2x4's because 5 2x4's weigh more then 2 press wood shelf planks
Do you have a chop saw or a compound miter? If so cut your legs a little longer then you want them to be on the 1st cut. Then flush up two at a time on one end and flush cut the other end of the two on your miter or chop saw to final length. That should leave you with no gaps at all when you assemble this time.
Pay special attention to your box frames as well you want them flush on the tall side as well as the end. Glue'em, lightly clamp'em, center them up, clamp them down then do the same on the other side. Put your center braces in last on your box frames or its likely to mess you up and take you out of square. Do both ends then place your center braces.
Well I have 3 coats on mine now. One more coat of gloss black then its time for a poly spray. The local Home Depot AND Lowes were both out of black shelving or I would have cut those today.
Ah well .. I still need to make my doors and side panels any way.
I am sure by mid week when I pick up more 1x4's for the doors and side panels they will have them back in stock.
The reason I am using it is the finish on it is tough, and its stronger then 1x4's when laid flat ( I don't want to use 2x4's because 5 2x4's weigh more then 2 press wood shelf planks
stevedola
Master of my domain
thats fine, its your stand and im sure it will work absolutely great. Im just saying how many times are your going to move your stand? the weight imo doesnt make a difference. Ill finish and then move my stand to its resting place--hopefully I dont have to move it for a long time.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12889266#post12889266 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Duane867
48" x 18" 75 gallon aquarium that will weigh 50lbs or less when finished after its all together ( BACK SAVER I SAY !!), versus a similar stand made with a 2x4 frame that would weigh 120lbs plus easily after being skinned and finished.
Just got this saw last night to help get things lined up:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=26170-353-3800-01&lpage=none
I am going to make sure everything is exact this time. I thought I was exact last time, but will do better. Out of frustration I called to see how much a store stand would cost and got $603 as an answer. I'm only in $70 right now in just wood. I bought some clamps for the sides and some bar clamps to go the 8 foot length. Yes, I won't make it without the center 2x6 support, so that would leave 38.5" gap on each side from the corner supports to the center piece. Is that enough support, or should I divide the length into 3's and get 2 2x6's on each side making the 3 gaps 27" each? That just doesn't give a ton of room like I was hoping for though, but if it is a question of safety then I will. I am running 2x8's for the top support by the way. I wish I was an engineer so I didn't have to ask so many questions.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=26170-353-3800-01&lpage=none
I am going to make sure everything is exact this time. I thought I was exact last time, but will do better. Out of frustration I called to see how much a store stand would cost and got $603 as an answer. I'm only in $70 right now in just wood. I bought some clamps for the sides and some bar clamps to go the 8 foot length. Yes, I won't make it without the center 2x6 support, so that would leave 38.5" gap on each side from the corner supports to the center piece. Is that enough support, or should I divide the length into 3's and get 2 2x6's on each side making the 3 gaps 27" each? That just doesn't give a ton of room like I was hoping for though, but if it is a question of safety then I will. I am running 2x8's for the top support by the way. I wish I was an engineer so I didn't have to ask so many questions.
I had got all my wood from home depot and after my 2 free cuts they cut the rest for 25 cents a cut so with have them do it only cost me 2.50 to have all my wood cut. Just thought I would let you know this because 2.50 is lot cheaper then that saw lol the other really nice thing is that @ home depot they where able to cut almost all my wood @ the same time so lets say I need 4 legs well they took 2 8 foot 2x4 and cut them @ the same time kind of nice I would think then haven to cut each bored.
Well thanks every one for the help and a really sweet diy stand plan. The only thing now is the stand I put two-gether needs to be little bit tall so I am haven to re do my leg but other that this is monster
Well thanks every one for the help and a really sweet diy stand plan. The only thing now is the stand I put two-gether needs to be little bit tall so I am haven to re do my leg but other that this is monster
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One support in the center should be just fine IMHO Danorth.
I have a question for you though. Where the heck did you find 8-10 foot bar clamps?
Steveola,
The reason I made mine so light is I am doing it all by my self.
Carrying the tank down the basement stairs, the stand and all that goes with it. Then I have to put it on the stand. I don't want to kill my self brother Just the tank weighs in at 140lbs empty. So the lighter the better for me one move or not 
I have a question for you though. Where the heck did you find 8-10 foot bar clamps?
Steveola,
The reason I made mine so light is I am doing it all by my self.
Carrying the tank down the basement stairs, the stand and all that goes with it. Then I have to put it on the stand. I don't want to kill my self brother
Just the tank weighs in at 140lbs empty. So the lighter the better for me one move or not SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
I am also building a 96 x 24 x 37 stand, the upper frame is made of 2x6s.Would one 2x6 support in th middle of the horizontal span be enough. Thanks
SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
Thanks Duane867, The 2x6s are on edge,I will put 2 2x6s 24'' apart on the back and one up front.
SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
Thanks Marcus for posting pics.Will the one support be enough for the front 8' span,and also the sides do I need to put 2x6s on the ends.Will be useing 3/4'' burch for the front and sides and 1/2'' on top.
Exactly as you have it in the photo should work perfectly if you ask me.
Its a scary thing for use to trust if you never have before
But its the compressive strength we are relying on with this design ( Rockets design).
A span of wood ( any kind and any thickness as long as the length runs with the grain ) is at its strongest on edge or on end. Probably about 20-30 times stronger actually.
Snakemanvet,
How are the vertical 2x6 supports in the center held in place? I am not going to use those nail strips this next time for the centers, rather glue and metal 90* angles on all 4 corners per support. Also I notice you used 2x6 for the floor box as well, I am planning on 2x4s still on that bottom box. Should that be an issue at all? Still using 2x8s for the top box and 2x6 for all of the supports......10 sets of 2x6s infact since I am puting 2 at every corner like the original design.
How are the vertical 2x6 supports in the center held in place? I am not going to use those nail strips this next time for the centers, rather glue and metal 90* angles on all 4 corners per support. Also I notice you used 2x6 for the floor box as well, I am planning on 2x4s still on that bottom box. Should that be an issue at all? Still using 2x8s for the top box and 2x6 for all of the supports......10 sets of 2x6s infact since I am puting 2 at every corner like the original design.
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