30g Cube Modern Style Stand (Build Thread)

[rededge2k1]

I recently completed a custom stand for nimrod (Rodney) and wanted to share the progress pictures with you guys. Rodney wanted a modern-style stand, painted gloss white, for his 30 gallon cube. Zero trim and clean lines were a must.

Below are renderings from my SketchUp design, tweaked by Rodney to his liking before the physical build began.

Back Panel

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Shelf & Bottom Panel

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Structural Sides

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Top & Bottom Braces

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Top

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Side Accents

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Door

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Since Rodney wanted the stand to be painted, I used 3/4" birch plywood for the stand construction. Where the plywood edges would show, I covered them with 1/32" birch iron-on edge banding....but more on that later. Here you can see a sheet of 4x8 plywood cut into all the pieces needed to build this small stand:

Full sheet...

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All the crosscuts...

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And finally, all the pieces cut from the four crosscuts...

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[rededge2k1]

Back panel layout...

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Cutouts and dados in the back panel...

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Cutouts and dados in the structural side panels...

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Countersinks for screws -- these will be covered by accent panels later and thus will not be seen

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Shelf (which divides the electrical compartment from the sump area) and bottom panel being glued & screwed to the back panel...

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Pocketscrew holes in the bottom of the bottom panel, which will not be seen either...

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Structural side panels, more glue & screws...

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These narrow plywood braces are used as supports in the front top & bottom of the stand...

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Bottom brace...

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Top brace...

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[rededge2k1]

The top is made of 3/4" plywood just like the case is, but since the edges will be visible, I covered them with iron-on birch edgebanding. This process is simple and only requires an iron and J-roller...

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Plywood panel with completed edge banding...

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Top installed...

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Attaching the side accent panels....

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The top ends of these accent panels were primed before being installed, since it would be difficult to get finish in this narrow gap...

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Side accent panels installed...

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Lining up the door for hinge placement...

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Boring 35mm holes for concealed hinges...

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Door installed...

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Stand complete, all that's missing is primer & paint!

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[codsack]

You Give Great Wood

 

[rededge2k1]

The painting process begins...I used a HVLP conversion spray gun and 15g air compressor for all priming & painting.

Primer...

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Paint...

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Re-installing the door hardware...

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Door hinged and lined up...

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Done!

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[gixxer600]

very nice. I love the "less is more" idea that the owner went with. Good job

 

[nimrod]

Can't say enough good things about Dustin and his skills. He is the consummate professional, kept me updated and delivered an excellent product. Anybody shouldn't think twice working with him on a project.

Thanks again Dustin!

Here's some initial pics of the stand he delivered:

Nice fit in the corner:

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Fits my sump perfectly:

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[rededge2k1]

nimrod;532813 wrote: Can't say enough good things about Dustin and his skills. He is the consummate professional, kept me updated and delivered an excellent product. Anybody shouldn't think twice working with him on a project.

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you like it! And don't forget to post a picture once you have the tank up top & stocked -- it's going to look killer surrounded with all the gloss white.

Dustin

 

[thanhreef]

awesome. You did it again. Great works