135 Gallon Build...

spunjin

spunjin

Manzanita Supplier
Aug 7, 2008
386
0
16
Ridgecrest, CA
seanrubino.com
Real Name
Sean Rubino
Camera Used
iPhone X
Finally, after a very long time of admiring Waywardson's 150 gal build, I am attempting my first stand build and furniture quality build ever. It isn't going to be as dramatic and gorgeous as his but it will fit my wife's an my style.
Eventually the thread will include the low tech tank build (maybe low/hi tech) but for now I will just log my stand build starting with the dimensional lumber frame built in my newly and slowly building workshop.
Please bear with me since I am working on weekends mostly and the build will be fairly slow. I stay with my 1-year-old son all day and I don't expose him to saw dust since he has heart issues.
But for now here is a shot of the cut lumber and a little corner of my shop. I am currently cutting lap joints to fit the frame together nearly exact as Waywardson's frame build. I'll post shots of the pieces as soon as I finish them all. I am working with a router and cheap tablesaw so work is slow. One thing I noticed while cutting the lap joints is that Waywardson did a fantastic job cleaning his shop before taking pictures. I cut 24 joints and my shop floor looked like a hampster cage (by the way, if anyone wants pine shavings I can bag them up and ship them to you). I guess I have to get my 2HP dust collector attached to my router and tablesaw ASAP to keep the chips from around the shop and out of my lungs.
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I know, my shop is a little cluttered right now. I am still working on getting it to be fully functional.
Wish me luck!

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Nice looking shop. Will be following the build.
 
Looking forward to the build.
 
Almost finished cutting all the lap joints on the 2x4s and will be finishing all the lumber prep this weekend.
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Lap joinery is much easier on the table saw than the router. It would be even easier with a dado stack but the arbor on my saw is too short for dado cuts.
On a side note, I threw a table saw cabinet together yesterday and purchased the parts needed to complete my dust collection system. I'll post photos of the shop and the stand as the work progresses.
Thanks for looking.

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Great start, subscribed:)
 
Thanks, Boss. I am very excited to see this actually coming together. I have tried building things before (picture frames, headboards, step stools, raised gardens, etc.) and it seems that my joints never come out square. It is amazing how these lap joints form perfect 90 deg. joints. I am just hoping that the lumber doesn't bow between now and when I get to the big construction.
 
Good Luck:)
I have a suggestion for you if u r using a sump or a canister filter. U should make a slide out thing like the keyboard things for the sump/canister filter holder so it is easily accessible for cleaning, etc. Just a suggestion, I would do something like that for a tank that size.
 
Fantastic idea! I am going to build the frame so it will have two 20" doors. I am currently working on a SketchUp to post for suggestions on my frame design. That will be posted shortly.
 
Here is the design on SketchUp. This is the second time using the program and I find it very useful not to mention fun. However, I am not savvy enough to find out if I can change the format into a JPEG in order to post the actual screen shot.
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The middle support in the front is a 2x6 all other lumber are 2x4s. I did this so the two 20" doors will not be obstructed. I really only want 2 doors but if anyone can advise me otherwise please do. I don't want the tank to topple over if my design is poor. I have a BS in Math not in Engineering.

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