Doc's Discus Den

[Doc_Polit]

I had all but disappeared from the hobby due to home renos and shifting priorities. I am finally returning to the hobby and planning my first Discus tank.

[dean9922]

great job so far...keep posting pictures as it progresses!!!

[fattubwhale]

Looking good! Cant wait to see the finished product

[Darrell Ward]

Serious overkill. (Looks like something I would do, making the darn stand heavier than the tank! LOL!) You gonna use plywood for the sheathing? Last one I did, I used 5/8" tongue and groove bead board because I had a bunch of it lying around. Looked good, but also added a lot of weight.

[Doc_Polit]

Thanks for the feedback.

I am gonna try to keep the plywood to a minimum due to the weight issue. Going with stained ply "inserts" on the sides and a removable front panel. That is why the "beefy" frame.

No if only my job would stop interfering, I could finish this project. LOL!

[Doc_Polit]

Well, after completing the frame for a stand to accommodate my 120 gallon, I sold it to another fishkeeper as my wife and I are renovating and considered the possibility of a built-in tank instead. I had a contractor friend evaluate the new plan but it would not work out due to structural issues. So.....time to build another frame. This one is nearly identical to the one I just sold but with slight variances based on which materials I had on hand.

I nearly managed to get it completed in a single afternoon. Of course, having ample power tools (not to mention practice) speeds up the process immensely.








This time around, I decided to invest the time to remove the "crown" from all of the 2x4's. This involves removing the width of the blade on both sides of the plank and ensures much truer lumber to build with.


I decided to go with a slightly larger base as I had 1x6's available as opposed to 1x4's.


The bottom deck is 3/8" mdf which will be sealed to prevent swell from moisture.


Again, dowels were used (although larger 3/8" dowels) to beef up leg attachment as well as Kreg pocket screws.




The legs are on, straight and true.




That is where I ran out of energy and hours. Construction and addition of top frame takes place tomorrow.

[William Palumbo]

WOW Doc!...That's some SERIOUS woodworking! Looks fantastic. I can see why you ran out of energy...LOL...Will look great when done I'm sure...Bill

[Skip]

where are the pics in first post

[Gillmann]

Looks great! Nice to see someone not too far away getting back into the hobby - as I did about a year and a half ago!

[Doc_Polit]

where are the pics in first post

Pictures were removed as they were of the stand that I just sold.

[Doc_Polit]

I made some progress on the stand tonight before a storm knocked out our power. Tough to build in the dark.

Got the basic top frame on.


Added some structural support on the back side.


View from the front.


View from the back.


Structure is complete.



Skinning should start tomorrow.

[Chunks]

Wow it's looking great! Your doing well, I don't like this phase of setting up. I'm painting my stand at the moment and it's driving me nuts, I just can't wait for it to be done already!

[Doc_Polit]

Wow it's looking great! Your doing well, I don't like this phase of setting up. I'm painting my stand at the moment and it's driving me nuts, I just can't wait for it to be done already!

I agree. Painting is no fun at all.

I put in a short evening in the shop tonight. I am getting a little burned out. I managed to start the skinning process anyway.

First, I added 2 more supports to prevent racking.


Then, I ripped down 1x10 in to strips of 1/2" x 3/4".


I mounted the strips on the back side of 1/2" oak plywood panels.



The panels were then fastened (brad nailed) flush with the sides as "inserts".



Here is the view from beside the stand. Not sure why the oak looks so strange in this shot.


Stay tuned. More to come later in the week.

[Disgirl]

Norm (This Old House, PBS) would give you the thumbs up on your work Doc!
Barb

[Doc_Polit]

Norm (This Old House, PBS) would give you the thumbs up on your work Doc!
Barb

Thanks a lot!