Habitat - Indoor :: Question for you do it yourselfers, home made stand question

[MoreBloodWine]

I'd just go spend the 9 bucks.. uneven tanks suck.. the water line will look crappy.

I did just that, the one frame is salv ageable bec its "offset" isnt as bad as the one pictured but $8.05 later I have new 2x4's and I even had Home Depot cut them to exactlengths for me. So now it's just a matter of me screwing it aqll together right.

Edit: Even if I did / was able to salvage the already made frames (which is possible) I doubt it would sit to uneven when I get the legs and supports on there and all the weight of the tank. But ya I figured since the 2x4's are cheap why not just go aherad and start over. Lets just hope I dont need to start over again lol.

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, well I think I finally did it guys. So what do you think, oh theres almost no rocking on both frames cept for a SLIGHT rock on one but it's so small it should easily work itself out once I start adding the legs / support beams.

$12.19 of extra wood later and this is what we got...


Also, should I be concerned with this. I figured I'd ask because I'd hate to see something so small interfere with my project when I go to add the paneling / side to the stand. I was thinking I could maybe try to sand it down but I dont know if that would really help / matter. I've got it on I think 2-3 of my ends but thats honestly the best I could do without a work bench of any sort. I was literally on my hands and knees and even my side trying to screw it all together lol.

[BullDog]

That looks much better than the first frame! Must have been some bum wood.

For the little edge, that's should be no problem, you can just take the power sander to it and smooth it down.

[MoreBloodWine]

That looks much better than the first frame! Must have been some bum wood.

For the little edge, that's should be no problem, you can just take the power sander to it and smooth it down.

Thats what I was thinking of just sanding it down. Even if the paneling does end up gapping a bit wether I sand it down or not I doubt it would be (gap) to the point of making it look awkward (sp?). Either way I'm glad I was able to finally get them done to the point of me being happy heh

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok, new question...

My legs / supports are about as close as I can get them cut to equal lengths meaning I dont want to fiddle with them any more because I will probably end up making them shorter than I want them to be if I sit there and nitpick at this. Anyway, while they're all pretty much as close to the same length as I can get them some are like 4 - 7 (best guess) stacked sheets of notebook paper longer than the others. While I dont see it as being "bad" because its not like being 6 inches longer then the leg beside it I wanted to see what you guys think. Hopefully that made sense but if not just let me know and I wil ltry to clarify some, Ty.

[steve]

Looks good. If the rocking is minor, you might just want to shim the bottom to keep it level.

[MoreBloodWine]

Looks good. If the rocking is minor, you might just want to shim the bottom to keep it level.

I'm going out on a limb here and and guessing thats abou the frames. Also, the offset is very minor... it doesnt really rock but you know its there if you play with it. Once all the weights together / on it it probably wont even be noticeable. Now how about my last post before this one about the legs / supports ;-p

[trudykurz]

First of all do you have a level? This may sound crazy but I do carpentry work alot and often the surface I'm using to build on is not level so I have to make adjustments. If the frame is within the bubble of the level I wouldn't worry about it. But you also need to make sure it's squared. If you don't have an L-square take a tape measure (or better yet a carpenters ruler) and measure corner-to-corner and make sure the they are the exact same length. Also how are you assembling the pieces together? If you are using screws are you predrilling? If not that can make the pieces "warp" for lack of a better word. Don't be discouraged you can do this!

[MoreBloodWine]

First of all do you have a level? This may sound crazy but I do carpentry work alot and often the surface I'm using to build on is not level so I have to make adjustments. If the frame is within the bubble of the level I wouldn't worry about it. But you also need to make sure it's squared. If you don't have an L-square take a tape measure (or better yet a carpenters ruler) and measure corner-to-corner and make sure the they are the exact same length. Also how are you assembling the pieces together? If you are using screws are you predrilling? If not that can make the pieces "warp" for lack of a better word. Don't be discouraged you can do this!

Yes I have a level, and the frames are fine right now (squared, all pieces cut to same lengths). As for how it's being assembled, I'm using 2.5" deck screws and no I'm not pre-drilling. Also, not that I doubt you I'm just curious because I dont really see how it's possible but I dont see how not pre-drilling can as you say for a lack of a better word warp your wood.

I've started doing the supports and I thought of a good way to make sure theyre flush with the frame. I'll still sand em down some to make em a bit smooth but this is what I came up with to make sure the supports are flush wit hthe framework.



Edit: Heres a post for the actual progression of the stand (without problems) heh.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19031

[Caphits]

I think the only problems with not predrilling is that you can crack your wood.

[MoreBloodWine]

I think the only problems with not predrilling is that you can crack your wood.

I actually did that a bit when screweing the frames together but I had extra wood to replace it thankfully.

[MoreBloodWine]

Well, I finished addint the supports to both frames so now I just need to pup in the legs and the upright supports and the frame will be done which would jusrt leave paneling. Anyway, the reason for this reply is when it comes to paneling I'm a bit concerned about soemthing which I hope wont be to big of an issue since it seems to me to be a minor problem.





Do you guys think those minor offsets (seen above) will cause me any problems when I go to add the paneling ? I only ask because to honestly fix it or try to anyway would most likely cause me more problems by making it worse or soemthing else. Right now I persoanlly dont see it as being soemthing to bad since its nor a larger offset but am curious about your guys opinions... Thx.

Edit: It's not the whole frame thats like that but just parts of it where I guess one of the frames end pieces was a tad to long or a tad to short.

[Caphits]

You could sand it down. It would probably only take 10 mins or less with just sandpaper, and your hand. You could even nail it onto a block of wood for even easier and more accurate sanding.

[MoreBloodWine]

while that would make it somewhat more even it would leave the board kinda funny looking / fed up. Any less work for me the better, I mean if I can leave it be and have things turn out ok then thats what I'd prefer.

[blackforces get you]

yeah. my metal tank stand line is uneven. but it is really hard to tell.