Steel Tank-Stand Builders?
- Thread starter tbone28
- Start date
I would think it depends on how much of an overhang it would be.
Just be sure you know how big the bulkhead is, and how close to the edge of the tank it will be, and measure back. You already know the size of your box steel so you'll know if it will clear the stand.
My tank has a very small overflow box, that is one of the reasons I had the problem.
Just be sure you know how big the bulkhead is, and how close to the edge of the tank it will be, and measure back. You already know the size of your box steel so you'll know if it will clear the stand.
My tank has a very small overflow box, that is one of the reasons I had the problem.
tbone28
Active member
Excuse me for the ignorant question, but are bulkhead sizes pretty universal? I've read that the AGA overflow kit is not good, and thinking of doing the CJ standpipes, purchasing my own bulkheads. For example, would a 1" bulkhead from AGA have the same overall diamter as another manufactuer's BH?
I'm not 100% sure, but I think they differ in total size. Some are larger, thicker, and have a different size lock nut. You may want to get them ahead of time and check.
The problem if you have to notch out the corners is going to be your vertical support. Can you call the manufacturer about the hole placement?
The problem if you have to notch out the corners is going to be your vertical support. Can you call the manufacturer about the hole placement?
tbone28
Active member
That's what I'm afraid of by notching out the corners. I may have to do the Megaflow placement, which I'm not crazy about. My preference is a 3-sided overflow on the middle of the back pane of glass, but I can't justify paying 2K for a custom tank just to get that type of placement when the tank size I want (6x2x2) is standard.
I left a message for AGA's customer service. I also called Perfecto, since they do corner overflows. They have 2 holes, each 1.75" (whereas AGA has, correct me if I'm wrong, a 1.75" and 1.5" hole).
Perfecto faxed me their "hole-drilling" diagram for reference. The CS rep did warn me that holes are hand-drilled, and actual hole placement may differ upon arrival.
So, of the 2 holes in the Perfecto tank, the outer edge of one hole is 4.06" inches from the side glass - no issues there.
The hole drilled close to the back pain of glass has its outer edge located 1.4375" from the back glass. This seems to be cutting it close. Here's the breakdown:
Hole is 1.75" predrilled
Diagram shows the center of hole is 2 & 5/16" from the back pane
Since hole is 1.75", half of that is 7/8"
Subtract 7/8" from 2 & 5/16", and that leaves me with 1.4375"
Is that correct?
So, can some of you guys who have 1" bulkheads measure your diameters for me? Thanks!
Toolguy942
New member
Why not buy the tank first then modify your stand design to ensure that the holes are accessable?
Or maybe this is why my garage is full of stuff that isn't in it's rightful place yet?!?
Or maybe this is why my garage is full of stuff that isn't in it's rightful place yet?!?
tbone28
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9748904#post9748904 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toolguy942
Why not buy the tank first then modify your stand design to ensure that the holes are accessable?
Or maybe this is why my garage is full of stuff that isn't in it's rightful place yet?!?
Makes sense, and something I would normally do...
but in my application this time, space is TIGHT! meaning within a couple of inches, so I don't have much room on the stand size to change around.
I don't want to buy a tank, and THEN realize I can't build a stand around it.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Tom Hudson is making my steel stand...
http://acrylicandglassexhibits.com/
Then I get to pay for shipping from down there to up here!
http://acrylicandglassexhibits.com/
Then I get to pay for shipping from down there to up here!
tbone28
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9712210#post9712210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hsvtoolfool
If you must cut and re-weld the stand, I recommend making it
less than 35" tall so that it will fit through a standard-width door.
If you want a taller stand (as I did), the best solution is to make
the stand 34-inches tall, but then weld 1/2-inch plates to the
bottom of each leg. These plates are then drilled and tapped for
1-inch stainless steel bolts. Remove the bolts to get the stand
through doors, then screw them when you set up the tank. The
bolts are intended as leveling devices, but it's also a nice trick to
get a tall stand through a door. To protect my concrete slab by
spreading the point-pressure of each a bolt, I placed 1/4-inch
steel plate 6"x6" squares on the floor under each bolt.
My stand was designed by a mech-eng friend, who came up with
this clever bolt solution. He assured me that the threads on the
bolt are plenty stong for my 250 gallon tank.
Can you post a close-up picture of the levelling bolt and steel plate you place underneath?
Thanks
hsvtoolfool
Premium Member
Well, that photo was pretty close up. The stand was on its side
because I had just screwed the bolt in place.
I regret that I don't have a photo of the plate under each bolt.
I'll post a photo when I get a chance. In the meantime, here's a
photo of a 1-inch bolt in my hand for scale (I'm 6-feet tall, BTW)...
And here's a photo of the stand with the bolts installed...
gws294
Premium Member
Terry,
Per your PM, I have posted the home page to the company that I ordered the levelers form. You can see an illustration on the web site. Also, the attached .pdf file is a listing of the various sizes of levelers available. I'll attach a picture of mine tomorrow night.
http://www.levelingmounts.com/
Although I haven't loaded them yet, I mounted them by drilling and tapping a threaded hole in the bottom of the 1/8th inch thick tube steel of the stand. I inserted the leveler, then after adjusting them, I tightened the nut on the threads to support the stand. In other words, the weight of the stand and tank will be on the nut, not the threads of the leveler rod. I hope this makes sense.
Per your PM, I have posted the home page to the company that I ordered the levelers form. You can see an illustration on the web site. Also, the attached .pdf file is a listing of the various sizes of levelers available. I'll attach a picture of mine tomorrow night.
http://www.levelingmounts.com/
Although I haven't loaded them yet, I mounted them by drilling and tapping a threaded hole in the bottom of the 1/8th inch thick tube steel of the stand. I inserted the leveler, then after adjusting them, I tightened the nut on the threads to support the stand. In other words, the weight of the stand and tank will be on the nut, not the threads of the leveler rod. I hope this makes sense.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Christ... thats one overbuilt stand... you could park a tank on that thing...
hsvtoolfool
Premium Member
You mean mine I guess. I told the mech-eng that I wanted a very
rigid platform. I got it.
Obviously, this is an oddball tank which presented some special
challenges. The dual 2-inch overflows in the back corner forced
that unusual diagonal bracing. The levelers and the overhang for
the front curve both demanded lots of rigidity from the top.
You also don't get a sense of scale from the photo, which makes
it look overbuilt. It's a 250G 4-foot radius tank. I was standing on
a 6-foot ladder when I took that photo.
The total height is 40-inches with the bolts installed and 3/4-inch
plywood on top. Those are 2x3 main tubes with some 1x1 supports
here and there.
tbone28
Active member
Update
Update
So I ended up having A.G.E build my stand. Positives across the board - it was an easy decision:
Cheaper than having it built locally, And it comes with levelling feet and powdercoat
Will be delivered with my tank
I now have a 5-year warranty on the tank (versus 1 year)
1.5"x1.5"x1/8"
Wide opening has additional 1.5"x3" support
Here's a progress pic. Should be ready for powdercoating soon:
Update
So I ended up having A.G.E build my stand. Positives across the board - it was an easy decision:
Cheaper than having it built locally, And it comes with levelling feet and powdercoat
Will be delivered with my tank
I now have a 5-year warranty on the tank (versus 1 year)
1.5"x1.5"x1/8"
Wide opening has additional 1.5"x3" support
Here's a progress pic. Should be ready for powdercoating soon:
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