Need Help With building a stand

[yauger]

Hi all, I was wondering if there is some good samaritan out there who can lend a hand in building a stand for this aquarium I'm helping my brother build . My brother is renovating his basement right now and has spent a tremendous amount of money thus far and well the contractor who was supposed to build the stand made a mess of it royally ... So yeah the stand is built however the sump area is full of 2x4 supports (you have to see it) so now the contractor is pulling the excuse "Its not in the contract" to fix the problem.

I do have to admit I'm some what of a dummy when it comes to building things , really both my brother and myself can't build anything to save our life. I just thank God he gave me other abilities.

 

With that said my brothers house is in Silver Spring MD and if you agree to help I will be your dreadful assistant (but hard working) and will provide food, drinks, frags.... or something else if I can manage it. give it some thought, at most it would take (I'm guessing) 4 hours to fix (rebuild) the stand. I have the materials and some tools but I think anything we need to make it happen will be purchased. (within limits of course)

 

Thanks

Josh

[Black Mammoth]

You are probably more than 4 hours away to finishing it. It sounds like you guys want to redo a lot of it. Why on Earth did the guy use 2x4s? Are you guys trying to support a monster tank? Sounds like he was just trying to slap something together real quick. I can't help out as I have too many project at home, but I'm sure you guys can figure it out You should see my stand and canopy. It was pretty much my first project and it looks amazing. Everyone, including skilled craftsman, cannot believe I did it myself and it was my first project. Give it a try and see what you come up with. Just have some detailed plans and measurements ready. It can be tedious work, but it is fun and something you can call your own.

[Grav]

How big is it? Glass or Acrylic?

 

When contractors get involved, I start to think it is a big tank. BIG is usually acrylic. Acrylic stands are a little trickey.

[davelin315]

...Everyone, including skilled craftsman, cannot believe I did it myself and it was my first project. Give it a try and see what you come up with...

 

I'm used to that look! They usually say something along the lines of "don't you have a straight edge or chalk line?" or "how in the world did you get it so crooked?"! Good luck with the stand, I know we spoke of it last night. I would suggest, however, looking over the contract again with the contractor. If there's something about a stand in the plans, you can hang that over his head by not paying him. A deal is a deal, and general contractors live from job to job so if he built something wrong, prorate and withhold and notify him you're going to do so.

[yauger]

I'm used to that look! They usually say something along the lines of "don't you have a straight edge or chalk line?" or "how in the world did you get it so crooked?"! Good luck with the stand, I know we spoke of it last night. I would suggest, however, looking over the contract again with the contractor. If there's something about a stand in the plans, you can hang that over his head by not paying him. A deal is a deal, and general contractors live from job to job so if he built something wrong, prorate and withhold and notify him you're going to do so.

 

man seems like the lawyer in you in coming out! yeah I have looked over the contract with my brother and it seems shoddy at best. I don't know where my brother found this guy but I'm seriously wanting to blast him out of the water but what can you do? might as well make lemonade out of lemons right?

Yeah so I might have to just rebuild it on my own but if there is a chance to have someone help me that would be great! again I will slave myself to you for any project you want...

[yauger]

How big is it? Glass or Acrylic?

 

When contractors get involved, I start to think it is a big tank. BIG is usually acrylic. Acrylic stands are a little tricky.

 

yeah the stand is sized for a tank of 60"LX36"WX30"H which should be in the range of 280 gallon display and a 120 gallon sump. I'm going to order it through glass-cages and have some serious flow through there with having a closed loop and dual 2" drains.

 

You are probably more than 4 hours away to finishing it. It sounds like you guys want to redo a lot of it. Why on Earth did the guy use 2x4s? Are you guys trying to support a monster tank? Sounds like he was just trying to slap something together real quick. I can't help out as I have too many project at home, but I'm sure you guys can figure it out You should see my stand and canopy. It was pretty much my first project and it looks amazing. Everyone, including skilled craftsman, cannot believe I did it myself and it was my first project. Give it a try and see what you come up with. Just have some detailed plans and measurements ready. It can be tedious work, but it is fun and something you can call your own.

 

ummm yeah I hope I don't have an incident like last time I tried to build my own canopy (sliced my finger wide open with the saw ).... seriously I will need some kind of help with this even if it is to just make sure I don't kill myself with the nail gun

[Rascal]

.... seriously I will need some kind of help with this even if it is to just make sure I don't kill myself with the nail gun

 

Screw and glue my friend, screw and glue.

 

Wish I could help but (1) too far & too much time away from family on weekend = angry wife = 1 more guy leaving the hobby; and (2) you've seen my work -- functional yes, but ugly as sin.

 

Maybe you could post some pictures of what you have to work with and some of the experts on this board could chime in with their suggestions.

 

Also, a suggestion for working things out with the contractor: Offer to build the frame for the stand yourself and have the contractor come back in and frame, drywall, and finish around it, including the cabinetry. With enough effort, virtually anyone can build a stand that is strong (vertically and laterally stable), level, and planar, but the finish work is where you will really notice the difference b/n amateur and professional, at least that's how it is with this amateur anyway.

Edited June 21, 2007 by Rascal

[yauger]

virtually anyone can build a stand that is strong (vertically and laterally stable), level...."

 

HAHAHA wanna bet?

I know I know... I'm gonna get some help by my sister... dude what can I say I have no shame when it comes to this hobby!

 

But of course I still would like someone to take me up on this offer...

 

You help me build this (actually it's I help You build it) and I will offer my assistance to help you out on your project.

[yauger]

^^right don't forget about this thread peoples... I need helps....