Doc's Discus Den

[Doc_Polit]

Thanks Chunks!

Well, I had one large setback on this project. I thought I had saved myself some work by utilizing the Saman one-step finish.......wrong! The first coat went on great but successive coats became increasingly difficult and blotchy. So......I became a stripper..........furniture stripper that is.

I managed to find some Varathane stain (Espresso) to use in place of the Saman but the issue became getting my hardwood back to it's original state.

I picked up a chemical stripper yesterday and went to work.


Stripping paint, stain, etc is always messy. I had to apply 2 coats but this stuff worked well and had no harsh odor. After 3 hours, the previous stain was all but gone.

Here is how the oak looks now.


Now to get re-acquainted with my trusty finish sander. I am going to hit every board (once again) with 120 grit sandpaper and then 180 grit to re-open the grain. The end caps will all get a go with 220 grit. I hope to have the sanding finished tomorrow night.

On a more positive note, the door panel looks pretty good now that I added a matching topcoat over the magnetic primer.


Well......back to work.

[Doc_Polit]

Well the staining process had more *&$#!@* surprises in store for me. The Espresso stain that I had ordered from the Home Hardware warehouse had not only sat on a dusty shelf for....oh....35 years but the can had a small puncture that I discovered after I had coated some of the oak hardwood in the slop. The exposure to air had completely ruined the stain.

So....I dug out the finish sander AGAIN and hit the boards with 150 grit to re-open the grain. I had all but given up on the staining idea and was considering paint when I came across exactly what I was looking for.

Kona stain by Varathane.


Finally....after 2 coats I have the espresso look that I have been trying to achieve. Here is a peek at some of the boards laid out to dry.


Here is a closer look. I love how the grain in the oak is muted yet visible.


Tomorrow the fun starts. Fastening the hardwood to the stand frame. Rather than use wood glue, I am using a MUCH stronger adhesive.
LePage PL9000 Heavy Duty (Quick Grab) Construction Adhesive and micro pins (air nailed).


I will take pictures throughout the process. Stay tuned.

[Doc_Polit]

I got both sides nearly completed tonight.

Here is a sneak peek.




I hope to finish the front and door panel shortly.

[Chunks]

It's going to be one amazing fish tank stand. Do you have the tank yet? What are the dimensions of it?


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.421181,150.892216

[Doc_Polit]

It's going to be one amazing fish tank stand. Do you have the tank yet? What are the dimensions of it?

Thanks. I do have the tank. It is 48"x24"x24".


The stand frame is essentially complete. All that remains is another coat or 2 of Diamond Finish. Check it out.




I added strips of anti-fatigue foam mat(carpeted) as a buffer between the bottom tank trim and the stand. This will also allow the tank (heavy) to slide easily into place.


Here is how it looks from the top.


I finished the door panel but my wife and I are not happy with how it turned out so we will be re-designing it soon.

In the meantime, I started working on the tank itself. Not much to update. Here is how the tank trim looked after it met my Dremel cutting wheel.



More updates coming soon.

[zimmjeff]

one of the nicest looking stands that i have seen.

[Rummy]

Absolutely beautiful workmanship. Keep those updates coming.

[Doc_Polit]

one of the nicest looking stands that i have seen.

Absolutely beautiful workmanship. Keep those updates coming.

Thanks a lot zimmjeff and Rummy! I really appreciate the great feedback.

I am in the process of building a new door panel and hope to add more pics in the next couple of days.

[Doc_Polit]

With the long weekend came an opportunity to get working on my new door panel.

Here it is being test fit in the frame.


Here is a look at the structure. It is fir 1x2 and 1/4" oak plywood.


Because the new door panel is slimmer (and lighter ) countersunk magnets would not align properly. As a result, I fashioned these "L-brackets" out of steel nailing strips. They work like a charm.


The first coat of stain is now on the door panel and the oak 1x2 trim.

As an aside, I thought that I would be making my own DIY wet/dry sump but that plan changed this weekend. I picked up a gently used Schuran Filter-Rack S1 sump for an amazing price. At 1/16th of what it sells for new (in the UK) I had to grab it.

Check it out.




The bio-tower even has a rotating spray bar.


More to come in a few days.

[Chunks]

Wow that's a great sump! Tell us the price?

That stand is going to out live you!

[Doc_Polit]

Wow that's a great sump! Tell us the price?

That stand is going to out live you!

LOL! It is built to last for certain.

I paid $150 Canadian. They sell new for nearly $1600 Canadian. I had to have it!

[Gillmann]

Where did you find it for $150? Great deal!

[Doc_Polit]

Where did you find it for $150? Great deal!

I actually got it from a member on Canreef. The guy is in Calgary too.

[Doc_Polit]

Well.........the stand is done!





Now to finish the tank and plumbing.

[dacevedom]

Wow... that stand looks awesome