Steel stands...how to make them look good?

[jcardona1]

How about this? I bought this off a guy on Craigslist, he had it as a reef tank. He made a website devoted to his reef-keeping, the build is under the heading "DIY PROJECTS: Cabinet and Hood. http://home.comcast.net/~76fxe/setup.htm

very very nice man, thx for the link. thats a little beyond my wood working skills though

 

[dleomd]

thats awesome! howd you attach the wood to the steel?

J, I'm a woodworker and what I would do is to use machine screws. You could easily drill a through hole in the steel. Then drill corresponding holes in your wood deep enough to accept a threaded insert. Machine screws with washers from the inside then holds the wood to the steel. Invisible and easy to remove whenever necessary. I would suggest using 3/4" ply. All the materials including threaded inserts are available at Lowes/HD. If you plan on painting then get the ply from the homecenter. Otherwise, get some nice cherry or other hardwood veneer ply from a lumber supply center. Should be easy to find in your area. Too bad you're not closer, I'd love to help you out.

 

[dleomd]

Here's a link for threaded inserts just in case...
http://www.rockler.com/search_results.cfm?filter=threaded+insert

 

[jcardona1]

J, I'm a woodworker and what I would do is to use machine screws. You could easily drill a through hole in the steel. Then drill corresponding holes in your wood deep enough to accept a threaded insert. Machine screws with washers from the inside then holds the wood to the steel. Invisible and easy to remove whenever necessary. I would suggest using 3/4" ply. All the materials including threaded inserts are available at Lowes/HD. If you plan on painting then get the ply from the homecenter. Otherwise, get some nice cherry or other hardwood veneer ply from a lumber supply center. Should be easy to find in your area. Too bad you're not closer, I'd love to help you out.

thats a great idea, thanks man! i think thats how i will do it. since ill be painting this black, theres no need for fancy wood.

 

[dleomd]

No problem, glad to help. Good luck, PM with any questions. BTW, is this for a new tank? Did you get that 240+ you were looking for?

 

[jcardona1]

No problem, glad to help. Good luck, PM with any questions. BTW, is this for a new tank? Did you get that 240+ you were looking for?

if all goes as planned, ill be getting something even bigger than that very soon

 

[dleomd]

if all goes as planned, ill be getting something even bigger than that very soon

You gonna make us wait????? What's the deal!

 

[swede]

My buddy got some cloth and velcrow from the craft department @ walmart and wraped the cloth around the stand. Wasnt the best looking stand ive seen but looked better than the normal metal stand.

along the same idea, get a cool looking shower curtain and use that as a "skirt" around the tank. its sturdier and better around wet conditions than regular fabric