SamH Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'm not too flash with wood work, my creations usually come out uneven, lopsided and weak. Not the qualities you look for in an aquarium stand. So instead of paying $485 for a stand for a 2ft cube, I'd rather make one (or have one made cheaper). Here's my options: 1. Buy one at $485 2. Find another company that makes for cheaper 3. Find a forum member that makes for cheaper 4. Make my own Could I please have info on who else I could ask to make me one? (Carpenters, etc) Where do I get cinder blocks from? That's all for now. Thanks -Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Im making my own, I have the plans drawn up I could probably get a pic of them tomorrow for you. Its not too difficult, most places will cut the wood you want at the lengths you want, Im using dowling and liquid nails to join everything and angle iron in the corners to further strengthen it. Im just using rough sawn timber for the frame and top, the top im using treated pine incase it gets a bit wet at times it wont warp. Then its just a matter of covering it in mdf to make it look pretty. Surely theres someone in your area that will help ya build one on a weekend for some lunch and a couple of cold ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I know how to do it, I'm great with planning. Everything works in my head and in theory my projects should come out great. I didn't think of asking someone to cut the pieces for me, that could help alot because I'm always a bit "nah, it'll be right, only 5cm's off". :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I too can't build any thing. Infact i am so bad I assembled a tank stand at work upside down. I no longer make them :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 lol only 5cm off :lol: you cold also find a second hand desk, table or plant stand and line it with MDF, save you have to completly making one. but im guessing your after something specific that looks like what you want, thus making my comment useless :oops: oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymox Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 When I bought my timber for my stand at mitre 10 mega, they had to cut it anyway, so I just quickly threw some lines on what he'd finished cutting and handed it back to him. Take a tape measure, a square, builder pencil and your plans down to a timber yard, they're usually quite happy to cut it for you, some charge for this though. Yeah the other option is 2nd hand furniture, I tend to stay away from this as alot of modern furniture is pure mdf and the solid wood stuff is very expensive, you would most likely be better off paying the $485 or w/e it is. If your not initially concerned about the apperance of the tank, then it should be quite cheap. Mines 120x45x45 All the wood cut came to just under $50, all up with the mdf, paint and handles on the cuboards and hinges Ill still be under $100 or there abouts. I do have a bit of stuff laying around though but its still very reasonable, considering the quote I got from a cabinet maker especially Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 I never used to be able to build things, but I have a very handy partner who has 'helped' me. The trick is having a plan, drawing it up, checking the measurements, checking them again, checking the plan, checking the measurements, cutting, checking the measurements, screwing it together, and yes, checking it again....keep checking and measuring and make sure things are square and level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Mate, have a good scour of our favorite auction site. example: I found 2 stands for my 4ft, combined cost was $100. The strongest one (not being used) cost a mere $20 and will hold a 4x2 footprint, its a bit rough, some sanding and varnishing / painting and it would be sweet as! ill go have a look for you now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks Morcs, I did have a quick look on there but didn't see anything that'd suit my needs. I'll also have another look now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yah 2x2 footprint is rather hard to find... unless you went for something bigger? There is a 2x2x2 tank for sale with a stand aswell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 I was offered that one, but I declined. New setup only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Hmmmm.... I've been looking on TM too, and it's easy to find cabinets that are 600mm wide, but finding one that's 600mm from front to back (as well as being structurally suitable) is much harder! At first I thought one of those low, solid-wood TV stands might work, but they are only 450mm deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yeah, I thought it was a pretty easy size but aparently not :-? Might end up giving making one a go :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver21 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 yould be better off looking at kitchen benches and the like instead for 600mm frount to back furnature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 Another option would be something like a coffee table - you might find one that's 600 x 600 (or 750 x 750). You would need to make sure the legs were very secure though, and possibly be prepared to add bracing to the legs depending on how they are attached to the top. Or for a taller one you could perhaps use a small dining table and saw off the legs to the right height? But by the time you do that and add bracing you might as well have built one yourself! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie841 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 You could get a tv cabinet. It might be a bit lo but you could put some legs on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Can you get TV cabinets that re 600mm deep? I have been looking on TM but they all seem to be much narrower than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Do either of these look any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =245989978 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =245987000 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted October 7, 2009 Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Do either of these look any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =245989978 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =245987000 Thanks Either of those looks like it would do the job! And great prices! Good sleuthing! :bounce: It's hard to tell for sure without checking how well the legs/uprights are attached to the top, but they both look pretty solid to me. If necessary you could do your own extra bracing pretty easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2009 Hmm, I don't know if they're tall enough or decent enough. It's going to be a display tank... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 Cinder block stands. Who has them? Who has had them? Experinces? Things I need to know? Best place to get the cinder blocks from? Would a 600x600mm footprint be stable? How high could I go? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 Who has them? Not at the moment Who has had them? ME! Experinces? Cinder blocks hurt if you drop one on your foot Things I need to know? See above Best place to get the cinder blocks from? I got mine from Placemakers but most places like that will have them Would a 600x600mm footprint be stable? How high could I go? Depends on how you arrange the blocks. Mine were 3 blocks high. As they are large and flat you could go higher but the base would end up overwhelming the tank and look out of proportion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 TYVM Caryl! Okay on carpet then? What is the standard size of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie841 Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 this is the catalog for firth blocks. The are normally about 390 long but the other dimentions change dependign on the series of block http://www.firth.co.nz/media/69313/Holl ... t%2009.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted October 27, 2009 Report Share Posted October 27, 2009 I am at work so can't measure the ones I used. The tank on them is 4ft x 2 x 2 (I still work in feet and inches when it comes to tanks) umm that's 1.2m x 60cm x 60cm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.