Aquarium Stand and Commissioned Work

[Russianwolf]

Okay, I haven't been totally slacking.

The first one is something I did a couple months ago. We wanted and aquarium but didn't want a bulky cabinet stand and the ones available were both cheaply made and way to expensive. So, Made of Elm with a Hickory Minwax Stain (to match an existing cabinet). The present drawer fronts (cedar) are just tacked in place until I can get the real deal made up.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...45182425mMKJEs

The Second is my second commissioned work for my office. They wanted something to cover the tops of some scratched up file cabinets. They ordered some laminate tops and sent them back because they were WAY UGLY. Since the office is going to all Maple, brushed metal, and glass They asked If I could make something out of Maple. One of the Senior VPs was looking at a maple desk and it provided the inspiration for the piece. Instead of being just a useless flat board, the cubbies can be used as in/out boxes Or drawers could be made to go in them. I like this design so much that I intend to make my benches this way for my shop. Basically a torsion box without the outside edges.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...45182425lVVtlN

[RodKirby]

Hi Mike,

Your stand looks great, but, that is an awful lot of water (weight)! It looks like the slightest nudge would cause a big problem. I would worry about stability.

[lrogers]

Very nice Mike. You are sure right about the stands you see in most fish/pet shops.

[Russianwolf]

Hi Mike,

Your stand looks great, but, that is an awful lot of water (weight)! It looks like the slightest nudge would cause a big problem. I would worry about stability.

Hey Rod,
Those legs are pretty big. larger than stock 2x4's, And are attached along the entire 11 inch height of the drawer section (glue and screws) with the top resting on top of them. It's more stable than the store bought ones.

As a test I put 6 boxes of hardwood flooring on it and bumped it and shook it and let it sit overnight. No problems. I do have a bouncy floor in that room but I'm already working to solve that. I have also thought to screw it into a couple studs (the back is solid wood also) just as reinforcement, but haven't done it yet.

[Wood_workur]

That looks nice

and for reference- 1 gallon of water = 8 lbs

[RodKirby]

Mike - good to hear about the testing I guess the pic makes them look less solid than they are.

[siliconbauhaus]

nice one mate....you were a busy man yesterday

[mater]

Very nice looking work.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[ChrisD]

Nice job, Mike. Congrats on the commission work.

Any special leg-to-apron joint you used on the aquarium stand for stability?

Will you be making more desktops for your office?

[Russianwolf]

Nice job, Mike. Congrats on the commission work.

Any special leg-to-apron joint you used on the aquarium stand for stability?

Will you be making more desktops for your office?

Nothing Special, just glue and screws. Lots of screws. I think I used about 8 per leg. The drawer section is basically a 7/8 inch Elm box that's 11 inches tall. The back and sides are solid and the front is face frame. The legs are laminated from 2 pieces of 7/8 inch by 4 inch elm. The screws go through the side through the first laminate and about halfway through the outer leg.


As for the Cabinet tops, They asked for two for now, but they might want more once they see them. They went together pretty quick. I have Lowes rouch cut the maple ply to save time, and the finish cuts and assembly took about 3 hours for the two. They still will get a couple coats of Oil Poly to protect them, then they go to the office on Wednesday.

[Russianwolf]

nice one mate....you were a busy man yesterday

busy all weekend. My trip to springfield took longer than we though so I had to stay home to finish up today so I can take the truck back.

It was nice to finally meet a fellow BT3er and wood widow I'll have to invite the two of you down once we get the house/shop cleaned up a bit after getting all my Aunts things in the basement.

[siliconbauhaus]

That would be cool mate. It would be nice to see a real workshop as opposed to my 1/3 garage space