DIY Tank Cabinet

[kaykay]

Hi all,

Planning to DIY a cabinet (roughly using Rocky99's design.. hope you don't mind, Rocky.. ..)

You can see a plan I've done up with just a good 'ol fashion pencil and ruler for the skeleton of the cabinet.. Looks a bit out of scale...

Planning to use kapor wood.

(1.5"x1.5" for the upright pillars and the beams on the top.)

(1.5"x1" for the bottom beams, and any bracing if i find it not sturdy enough)

The tank is 1.5' from front to back, but the sump tank is also 1.5' in the same dimension. So i've to broaden the cabinet to fit the sump in the cabinet.

As a result, the tank will not sit exactly on top of the 6 main pillars.

I've thus decided to lay 3 pieces of beams, resting on the 2 sides and centre pillars, before laying the 2 long beams across, on top. Then on these 3 short beams will another 3 beams sit, hoping to get more contact point with the top board.

Questions: Can this plan work?

Any suggestions/feedbacks/improvements on this design before i start buying the wood to build?

By laying double cross beams, weaken or strengthen the structure? (Overkill?)

Hope you guys can understand my drawing.

I have an electrical planer (one you use to plane with..) at home. Planning to tie all 6 pillars together and plane as a bundle. Think this should make all pillars of exactly the same length (height).

Thanks!

[kaykay]

Sorry Sorry!!

Forgot to resize picture!! Arrgghhh!! Pls don't kill me.

Here's a resized pic..

Mod, can help to remove the previous pic?

[ervine]

Hi Kaykay,

Hm... The main problem I see that you have is that your tank does not rest directly on the "columns" and somehow your wood work diagram looks funny how you resolved the "columns" to "beams"...

I don't believe you need two beams, you just need thicker beams perhaps... and 1.5" I think is too small, my DIY chengal wood stand (not cabinet) uses 2"x2" beams and 2"x3" columns...

Can see it here http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...9574&hl=chengal

Since your loading is not directly on the columns, I suggest you deepen your beams, then use a lap joint (I hope I got this term right) instead of just screws... ideally it would be such that it sits perfectly lah, or at sits on half the side beams...

BTW, you can order your wood cut to size, quite accurate. For me I didn't even do any sawing less the lap joints....

If you want you can come look at my DIY stand when you collect the pump..

[optimus prime]

no offence, why 'save' some money wher you know its a ticking time bomb to explode.

you can save money but on other equipment.

[ervine]

Huh why is it a timebomb? My DIY stand will probably be still just as sturdy 20 yrs down the road...

All wooden furniture that's built well can last a lifetime...

[optimus prime]

bro, unless you are speaking of yourself with great experience.otherwise not a good idea to do.

[ervine]

Well it's up to the individual I guess... If you don't mind the labour and potential risk (if any) why not...

[Anthony]

bro,

my dad and i DIY 4ft cabinet. it take us 2months to complete.. nt worth... 2 months of woodfactory home

[Rocky99]

if you plan your work properly, maybe one weekend is enough to complete it. IMO, since 1.5ft is quite narrow, you dont need an elaborate frame for the top. it can give you problems when you are working on it

and you should cut down on stacking the beams on each other and on the pillar because the pieces of wood are not exactly the same size.

you may also want to get 2x2" for your 6 pillars. it wont cost a lot more.. the tank is 250L.

plan first, dont rush into it

gdluck

[Anthony]

if you plan your work properly, maybe one weekend is enough to complete it. IMO, since 1.5ft is quite narrow, you dont need an elaborate frame for the top. it can give you problems when you are working on it

and you should cut down on stacking the beams on each other and on the pillar because the pieces of wood are not exactly the same size.

you may also want to get 2x2" for your 6 pillars. it wont cost a lot more.. the tank is 250L.

plan first, dont rush into it

gdluck

bro,

the siong part is the laminating ur cabinet!... i dun believe 1 weekend u can complete ur legs' joints and laminate. unless u use machine.

[ReDDeviLs]

admire you guys effort and work.

[ervine]

Agreed... plan well and it should take you only one weekend (with a helper perhaps)... It took me 2 nights to build mine...

I rushed the laminating so it turned out like sh*t.... laminate nicely, you'll enjoy the fruits of ur labour...

[Rocky99]

bro,

the siong part is the laminating ur cabinet!... i dun believe 1 weekend u can complete ur legs' joints and laminate. unless u use machine.

ya i agree laminating is tough... no need to laminate i think... sand the plywood smooth and start painting, it won't look lousy.... art of DIY is too get the best with the lowest cost and least amt of time....

[Rocky99]

bro,

the siong part is the laminating ur cabinet!... i dun believe 1 weekend u can complete ur legs' joints and laminate. unless u use machine.

ya i agree laminating is tough... no need to laminate i think... sand the plywood smooth and start painting, it won't look lousy.... art of DIY is too get the best from the lowest cost and least amt of time....

[typrobin]

DIY!!!

DIY is good...save a lot of money...

now i am looking for a good quotation for my new L-shape cabinet...if the price tag cannot fit my pocket, then i will go back to DIY!!

it doesn't hurt to be cheapos...hahahahhaa...

[kaykay]

Hi guys

Thanks for all your feedback.

Will still go ahead with the DIY.. Got some woodworking experience lah.. Hoping to complete the task in 2 days. Got all the power tools ready.. Electric Jigsaw, Electric Planer-(this is one hell of a woodwork tool..), Electric Drill, Elect Screwdriver.

Furthermore, a quotation for an identical cabinet was $450..! Will still take 10 days for delivery too!!

BTW, anyone tried using those self adhesive pvc laminate sheets?, those that come in a roll, many shades of wood grain also... It should be easier to work with than veneer or formica rite? Looks better than painting or varnish too. Any side effects with saltwater?

Thanx!

[kaykay]

In addition, think will change my design of the structure to that of ervine's..-bro monday i collect the 1260 from you, drop by your place to "inspect" your piece, ok wif you?

[typrobin]

hahah...time to repay me for the free tank...

might need help to do a stand for me...u game??

[Ian]

Hi Kaykay,

If you want some tips on making a cabinet, your most welcome to my office and I can show you what you should and should not do.

Regards

Ian

96883229

[kaykay]

No problem, Robin.

My pleasure.

[kaykay]

Thanks Ian.

Will drop by on Monday afternoon.

See ya.

[kaykay]

Some updates

Day 1 of getting wood.

Not much time to work on it yet.

[kaykay]

After 2 days of working on it..

Each day only spent about 2 hours..

BTW, only using kapur wood.

[kaykay]

Bought some boards.. 9mm plywood, single sided PVC. Cut to size.

[kaykay]

Another mini round of work..

Top panel, back panel added. In the meanwhile, I'm "laminating the side panel, the front doors, the panels for the hood, with self-adhesive stickers sheets to make it more appealing.. just wondering after nailing them up, how to camouflage the nails with perfect colour wood filler.. Hope they last..