Who builds Metal Stands?

[cpreefguy]

Im looking for someone to weld me a metal stand out of 1.25" boxed steel with leveling feet. Anyone know where I can get this done?

[LoneStar]

I'd help, but with our new ownership at work, I probably can't work on too many personal projects.

You might want to hit up some machine shops in the area. Just go in with a good set of plans (with dimensions) and a material list. Depending on how busy they are, they may or may not be willing to work on a small order. Finding someone on here that does welding on the side may be quicker and cheaper. Westbrook Metals is one of the cheaper places in town for 1.25" tubing.

http://www.yellowbot.com/westbrook-metals-incorporated-san-antonio-tx.html

You can also call them and see if they know any shops that could build it. I'm sure since they supply all sorts of shops in town, they will be able to hook you up.

You can possibly find the leveling feet there or other welder supply shops in town. Or check out MSC www.mscdirect.com (http://www.mscdirect.com) or McMaster-Carr www.mcmaster.com (http://www.mcmaster.com). Gathering up all the materials needed could help expedite getting the stand welded quicker :)

As for coating it, I would strongly recommend Line-X or any other bed liner system. I Line-X'd mine and it has held up great! I wouldn't recommend powder coating it, only for the fact it scratches and chips easily. Since you are going to be moving a lot, you will want a rugged finish. We deal with a lot of powder coated products at work, and most of the local powder coat shops around here aren't really that great (quaility of the work)....but thats just my opinion.

[edawgm]

Another suggestion would be to find a high school with an shop class that could build it for you. I would think the only thing you would have to do is supply the material. Same as above, just would need a good diagram for them to go off of.

[caferacermike]

I wish I was set up here at the new house for you Sean. This would have taken about 4-6 hours to get done at my old house. If I could ever get this 8x3x8 space back in my garage that this fish tank is taking over, I might be able to set up the cutoff saws and welder.

[Headless_donkey]

Try Ezra at he Aquadome

[cpreefguy]

If I could ever get this 8x3x8 space back in my garage that this fish tank is taking over, I might be able to set up the cutoff saws and welder.
That would be awesome! Need some help moving that tank out? :bigsmile:

I might also email bigdscobra, I seem to remember he did welding, and owns a Line X place too...

[OceanInMotion]

i thought ace built everything?

[txstateunivreefer]

recently there was someone that built their stand and linexed it i think it was lonestar or texreefer... dont remember which but i think it was lonestar

[z28pwr]

Call Oval Components, they built my stand for my tank. It was made out of 2" x 2" square tubing with 1/4" wall and they did an awesome job.

http://www.z28pwr.com/images/linex_stand.jpg

Stand measures 121" x 32" x43"

Oval components also built Gator's stand.

[cpreefguy]

are they pretty reasonable on pricing?

[LoneStar]

recently there was someone that built their stand and linexed it i think it was lonestar or texreefer... dont remember which but i think it was lonestar


Yeah thats what I ended up doing....although my whole project is in limbo right now...:rolleyes:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/156g%20build/electricaldone1.jpg

Jose's stand is a BEAST. That sucker is heavy! I'm sure with a cube design, the overall price won't be too bad...but it will be easy enough for a guy on the side to do fairly cheap. I would off to do it, but with whats going on at work, personal projects have come to a hault.

One thing I would recommend is to incorporate a shop light in the stand. I did that on mine, and it will make working underneath it a lot more enjoyable. I even had the light housing Line-X'd too.

[bozack]

those metal stands look nice
They heavier than a "would be" 2x4 wood stand?

[LoneStar]

those metal stands look nice
They heavier than a "would be" 2x4 wood stand?

It would just depend on the materials used for each type. Joe's is a beefy stand, with 1/4" wall thickness. But overkill is a good thing considering the 600(?) gallong tank that is going on top of it.

Design is another thing to consider. I went with steel tubing for the fact I wanted BIG access doors on my stand. A similiar stand made of wood, with a big opening wouldn't hold up as well.

I think the wood versions would weigh less though. Either way, if you have a big tank, your going to need multiple people just to move the aquarium. Moving a heavy stand just comes with the territory.

[bozack]

anyone know any places in Austin?
I was about to start on a stand for a new 210 but a metal stand covered in 1/4 oak would work too....

[LoneStar]

anyone know any places in Austin?
I was about to start on a stand for a new 210 but a metal stand covered in 1/4 oak would work too....

It may take a few tries, but grab the phone book and call around machine shops or metal supplier's. They can probably guide you to a individual or company that might get you set up. You might also give Kingfish a call too, since they have done custom tank setups in the past.

[z28pwr]

are they pretty reasonable on pricing?


At first it seemed a little high but after seeing their workmanship I would say it's well worth the price. I paid $550 for the steel and $550 for labor. With that said going with a wood stand is much cheaper since 2 X 4's are dirt cheap and you still have to skin and lynex a steel stand, but the steel stand gives you more room and for large heavy tanks it's great.

[Joe31]

I think Felipe at Fin Addict makes them also.