jimlin January 3, 2013 Share January 3, 2013 so i have the frame for a stand measuring 48 x 20 which will be used to support 2 of my 24 gallon cubes. i need to put wood on top to support the two tanks. what kind of wood should i use and what kind of sealant should i use to make it somewhat water resistant? I also want to put boards on the front and sides. do i use the same board used on the top for the sides? any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smorf January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I built my stand with 1/2" plywood on top, and 1/4" plywood on the front/sides. Here's a pic: I stained and put a couple coats of polyurethane to protect from water spillage. The thickness is really just personal preference. The frame is what will hold all the weight, the plywood doesn't add a whole lot more structural stability. Thinner wood is easier to cut and carry around. 3/4" plywood will be beefy but will double the weight of your stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I prefer to use REAL plywood... not OSB or particle (both of which will swell when wet) and then I stain and seal with an oil based polycoat..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaguy January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I used 3/4 inch oak veneer on mine. A little more expensive but the finished product is well worth an extra 25 or 30 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 how can you tell the difference between real plywood and particle boards? I googled veneers and it looks like a sticker type sheet that goes over the plywood. is that correct? Is the veneer waterproof? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaguy January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 Home depot or Lowe's. It's all labeled very well. Osb and particle is basically sawdust or scrap wood glued together. If it gets wet it will crumble. You will see the oak plywood at both stores. Although its not waterproof it will hold up a lot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 Real plywood is veneered wood... just not as pretty as some others..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 the one thing your going to have to do with ANYTHING you put down is seal it.. polyurethane is the best and easiest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 great, looks like ill be buying oak plywood since my wife wants it to look really nice. she even said no to particle board from our conversation a couple of days ago. i will have home depot cut it to size for me. i will probably need to buy sand paper as well to smooth out the cuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 yes.. LOTS of sandpaper... you will need very fine grit for inbetween coats of poly too... I hope you have an orbital so you hand does not hurt to bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smorf January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 When you ask the associate to cut your plywood, ask them to please go slow as you are using it to make furniture. Some of them get in a hurry and will rip the plywood as fast as possible leaving you a rough cut. I know this because I worked at Home Depot for 4 years (I tried to go slow) but I know sometimes the associates just want to get you out of there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 i dont own any tools. guess that means a longer than average project stand haha. the guy who is suppose to help me with this deployed so i am stuck doing it by myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 OH OH OH... a man with no tools?? how in gods name have you made it this long??? If your ever down in Woodbridge, I can show you how to use mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smorf January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I made due with only an 18v cordless drill for years. If you were to buy an 18V RYOBI from Home Depot, plus a countersink bit, you should be all set for this project. (18v not needed, but nice to have) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 I made due with only an 18v cordless drill for years. If you were to buy an 18V RYOBI from Home Depot, plus a countersink bit, you should be all set for this project. (18v not needed, but nice to have) http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100519984&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053 this one? and http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100116885/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=ryobi+counter+sink+bit&storeId=10051 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzaguy January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 i dont own any tools. guess that means a longer than average project stand haha. the guy who is suppose to help me with this deployed so i am stuck doing it by myself. I would keep that hush hush!! Lol I think I own everything except a planer. I don't do a lot of woodworking but I thouroughly enjoy it. Also work on cars a lot. Toy can never have to many tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 and http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203406856/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=ryobi+power+drill&storeId=10051 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 I would keep that hush hush!! Lol I think I own everything except a planer. I don't do a lot of woodworking but I thouroughly enjoy it. Also work on cars a lot. Toy can never have to many tools. i work on my car a lot too, i go to the hobby shop at bolling. cost $5 an hour to use the rack and rent tools. never worked with wood before. maybe i should check out the wood shop at andrews afb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I would keep that hush hush!! Lol I think I own everything except a planer. I don't do a lot of woodworking but I thouroughly enjoy it. Also work on cars a lot. Toy can never have to many tools. LOL i have everything except a planer, belt sander and lathe... all of which are on my christmas list for next year....hoping my uncle feels the love and gives me his old tools when he gets new ones next year (hes a furniture maker) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCReefer1964 January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 i dont own any tools. guess that means a longer than average project stand haha. the guy who is suppose to help me with this deployed so i am stuck doing it by myself. Base has a full wood shop. They will assist you. Remember wood shop days in HS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldReefer January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 I have all the tools you need. Just let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 Base has a full wood shop. They will assist you. Remember wood shop days in HS is it the place that does frames and mounts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime January 4, 2013 Share January 4, 2013 (edited) I know that base has a great shop to work on cars, if the woodshop is anything the same it's probably awesome. Do yourself a favor and measure and cut your own pieces. Not to slam home depot or Lowes, but I've never gotten an accurate cut from either establishment (this is also based on the presumption that you can find somebody who's even willing to cut.) You're going to want as accurate as possible with an aquarium stand. Do yourself a favor and save the headache, having to go back, maybe buying double what you need, and just overall unnecessary grief. I also have all the tools, even though I'm a little bit further away, you're welcome to borrow. Edited January 4, 2013 by YHSublime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 I have all the tools you need. Just let me know. can i just bring the stand and supplies to your place and work on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimlin January 4, 2013 Author Share January 4, 2013 thanks everyone for offering suggestions and personal time to help with this project. i love this club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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