Rory Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Hey ya all. I'm looking at getting a serious tank at the end of the year and i'll be making my own cabinet for it. Possibily out of Rimu or Kauri, but ill make it out of Matai if i can get ahold of some at a good price. Anyway i was wanting to see if anyone here makes there own cabinets, if so post a pic. Im after ideas. Cheers Rory M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Doesnt matai smell bad? I would still go for a steel stand with wood panels rather then trust the whole thing to wood. You could get a basic steel stand and pretty it up with wood that way you dont have to worry about the strenght of the joints or putting a back onto it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted March 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Doesnt matai smell bad? I would still go for a steel stand with wood panels rather then trust the whole thing to wood. You could get a basic steel stand and pretty it up with wood that way you dont have to worry about the strenght of the joints or putting a back onto it. Yeah i think i'll go with a metal frame, make life a lot easier! I've only ever made small things out of matai and they never smelt, but they were only small boxes. But isn't it the nicest looking wood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kookie Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Here is a basic steel stand. My better half made this, and if you can weld at all, then it's easy as pie to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Here is a basic steel stand. My better half made this, and if you can weld at all, then it's easy as pie to make. That looks good - could you get away with not welding and just bolting it in the right placed ? What about riveting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kookie Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I know that welding is the strongest method and the only method I would trust to hold the steel together and take the weight of the tank when full. That's not to say other means wouldn't work, but haven't seen any stands that haven't been welded together. On the top and bottom of the stand, we screwed in to place two large flat boards. The bottom one for weight distribution on the floor and the top one for the tank. We then built a cabinet around the frame using custom wood, which we will paint inside and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Make sure that you paint the edges and ends real well too to stop ingress of the water. Otherwise a good job could be ruined. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderstorm Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 here is my stand contructed from 3x4 for the legs, 2 x 4 for the top and bottom with 20mm ply on the top, nailed with 6" nails and "no more nails" glue. Strong as, doesnt give at all. Holds up around a 1000kg all up Tank size 6ft x 2 ft x 2ft 2 inches Click here Thanx peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I have pretty much the same stand as kookie posted. I dont really know what to do to make it into more of a cabinet though. How much should the wood cost to make it look good? What wood should I be looking for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 depends on the look you want. Some people are happy with the cheap freedom/criterion look that MDF painted gives Others like real wood thats stained or polyurithaned Others like aluminuim sheets for the sides of it, the limit is your wallet and imagination. Keep in mind that you can get cheap pine and stain it to look darker etc so dont just go running to the pre-loved kauri unless thats going to fit in with your decore. And some like me just put an old sheet there to hide the stuff underneith it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I definately want to go the stained wood look. My tank has been set up cheaply as a marine tank, and if it looks good it might be worth more than my total setup cost. I havent a clue how to do that though. I'm geussing I start with the cabinet doors, then find the wood after that. Can I just screw it in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kookie Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 Start with the sides and front panels. Cut out the size squares you will need for the doors. They will need to be slightly larger than the holes you cut out. Yep you can screw the panels straight onto your stand. Hinges for the doors and bobs your aunty. Measure it all up, make sure sizing is right. Take it outside and stain it. Let dry them screw it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory Posted March 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 I definately want to go the stained wood look. My tank has been set up cheaply as a marine tank, and if it looks good it might be worth more than my total setup cost. I havent a clue how to do that though. I'm geussing I start with the cabinet doors, then find the wood after that. Can I just screw it in? You should check in your local paper for old posts or beams from demolished buildings. Some can be accuired quite cheaply and look better than anything else. You could keep it under $100 if you have the patience to wait for a bargin to roll around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kookie Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 If your going to use wood for the stand, please brace it well. It's not just the weight of the water you need to worry about, but buckling and twisting etc in an earthquake. good luck with your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richms Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Screw into the wood thru the metal so that you have no screw heads on the outside, measure the screw against the wood and metal to make sure it doesnt come out the front of the wood. For doors get some kitchen cupboard hinges because they will let the door sit flush with no hinge visable, but you need to drill a well controlled hole into the door so that the mechanism sits in it, too far and you drill right out the front. You will need a drillpress or super-good handskills to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keri Anne Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Kookie, how much for a dozen of those and delivery to Napier Oh, and does your better half take Visa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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