Reinforcing a tank stand?

paddyob · #1 10-30-2010, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

Adding 45 degree braces in all corners would be a start. Without knowing what your dimensions of stand and materials used, a definitive answer is difficult. I am sure there would be some knowledgeable metal workers able to answer.

The stand is made out of 1" HSS (square tubing). 48" long by 19" wide and about 30" tall.

hillegom · #2 10-30-2010, 08:07 PM

I hope that the 4 foot long has a center brace, with only 1" HSS.
I would not have a problem drilling 1/4 in holes, but how are you going to drill the vertical holes with the tank on top.
Could you weld in place, 1/2 inch tacks at a time? Without disruptiing too much gear below the tank?

paddyob · #3 10-30-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

I hope that the 4 foot long has a center brace, with only 1" HSS.
I would not have a problem drilling 1/4 in holes, but how are you going to drill the vertical holes with the tank on top.
Could you weld in place, 1/2 inch tacks at a time? Without disruptiing too much gear below the tank?

No center brace. As for holes... I can drill them horizontally and put small bolts through the front and back to hold the braces as I can access both sides easily.

I do not want to weld in the house. And the problem with small HSS is that you can easily melt the thing to pieces in a heart beat and then you have bigger issues altogether. For that I could enlist my father-in-laws help.... but I do not think it is the best option at this point. He also is a steel fitter/welder of many years. He is the one who told me not to worry about the stand that it will hold.... but its the stability I worry about.

Example... when I use my tank magnet to clean... I can actually feel it sway a little with the strength of the magnet.... thats what has me sweating. I know the steel will hold as it looks to be made very well.... actually looks like it was a manufactured stand as it has nice caps on all ends and everything.

Any thoughts?

pirate · #4 10-30-2010, 09:55 PM

Is the stand an open design? If so could you enclose the sides? Peices of plywood inside of the metal frame would help stop the swaying. Or do you like the look of the open design? If so put in a bigger peice of square tubing with the same inside diameter and C cut them to fit around the square tubing that is there and bolt it in.

bignose · #5 10-30-2010, 11:09 PM

Pat use 1or1.5"x3/16or1/4" flatbar and make your own stiffeners. Drill some holes in your stand and the flatbar then bolt them with 1/4 in bolts. If you braced the top 4 corners(8 braces) I don't think that stand will go anywhere. Just do one corner at a time if your worried about the stand buckling.

paddyob · #6 10-30-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bignose

Pat use 1or1.5"x3/16or1/4" flatbar and make your own stiffeners. Drill some holes in your stand and the flatbar then bolt them with 1/4 in bolts. If you braced the top 4 corners(8 braces) I don't think that stand will go anywhere. Just do one corner at a time if your worried about the stand buckling.

Yea Jason I think that's what I will do. I'll enlist your help brotha and I'll supply the beer!

By the way... those frags look pretty good.... the blue SPS is awesome under my lights! I better frag my zoas for yah soon! Ha ha!

bignose · #7 10-30-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyob

Yea Jason I think that's what I will do. I'll enlist your help brotha and I'll supply the beer!

By the way... those frags look pretty good.... the blue SPS is awesome under my lights! I better frag my zoas for yah soon! Ha ha!

As long as your supplying the beer I'm in! Glad to hear the frags are doing good, I hope those blue ones continue to color up the way they have been. They just might turn out to be the best mystery frag yet.

DiverDude · #8 10-30-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyob

Example... when I use my tank magnet to clean... I can actually feel it sway a little with the strength of the magnet....

Holy S**t, Batman !!

You're not going to like this, but if it were me, I'd be getting that tank off there ASAP and welding 45 degree braces on it to stop it from racking like that. 1" is surprisingly strong in compression but if if racks -even a bit, the welds will fatigue and if it fails....<shudder>.

I dunno, you might get away with bolting it but if it were me (and I'm anal, I know) I'd weld it, no question. The consequences of a failure are just too great not to, IMO.

paddyob · #9 10-30-2010, 11:57 PM

They are one inch welds so i am not worried about them cracking. im just paranoid. one inch of weld holds 1000 Pounds each.

hillegom · #10 10-31-2010, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyob

They are one inch welds so i am not worried about them cracking. im just paranoid. one inch of weld holds 1000 Pounds each.

That maybe true, but is it welded all around? Only one 1" of weld will act like a hinge and break if it is subjected to back and forth movement.
Too bad I can't help you from here. I have a 110 Volt mig that is portable, and I would not have a problem welding in the house. (already have in my house)