DIY stand woes

[swales]

Hi, I'm currently building a stand for my 75 and decided to use a top a bottom frame made from 2x4's joined by 4 corner 4x4's notched so that the frames 'rest' on the 4x4's. Is this the right approach? The GARF plans use 2x4's joined in a way that puts stress on the screws which did not seem right to me.

My problem is that one side http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1392/stand2iw1.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stand2iw1.jpg)
isn't perfectly square. I found this out after cutting the finishing plywood to put on the frame. woops.

Here's the 'front' view http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/480/stand1bk2.th.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stand1bk2.jpg)

I might be able to force it into rightness to get the exterior on. If not, I am considering scrapping the 4x4's for 2x4's doubled up (unlike the GARF plans).

How serious of a problem would this be structurally? I might just leave it as a structure with a top surface added so i can get this tank up and going sooner.

The only force I can see being a serious problem is anything that would cause it to 'rack.' Any suggestions or input? I am pretty frustrated with the whole thing.

edit: woops. I didn't make that very clear. When i put the side panel against the frame, there is about an inch deviation from perfect vertical. There is deceptive distortion from my lens in the photos.

[PUNISHER VETTE]

Thats basically what my stand looks like that the guy before he did.

If you're worried about it moving back/forth and side to side you'll just have to use some cross braces. but mine doesn't have that.

You're saying the front is slightly higher then the back? if so that's probably good b/c i never liked the way mine sat and i felt it wouldn't take much to pull that thing down.

[Drumachine09]

How far does it lean?


When you are done, put a peice of 1/4-1/2 ply wood, or OSB on top, and then contact cement a thin layer of blue foam to make the tank rest evenly. If you need a picture of the foam, I could go take one real quick.

[swales]

I knew I wasn't explaining it well.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/3434/clarificationin8.th.jpg (http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clarificationin8.jpg)

top is a perspective view.. and bottom is from the vantage point of the eye.. like pushing the wood onto the frame.

Is that clearer?

I think it's potentially a serious structural fault and will keep me from being able to finish it with an exterior unless I can force it back.

come to think of it.. it may be a problem with my floor not being flat. Ugh. I will have to look into this more.

[swales]

Drum,

Thanks. I actually have the wood cut for the top already, and was planning on buying that foam. It would be really helpful to see a photo of it, though. I looked around Lowes and couldn't find anything resembling it. I know it will help with any un-levelness. It's about an inch off (measured horizontally).


My floors are terrible.

[Drumachine09]

HEre is the blue foam. It is "Dow" brand, and its "energy saver insulation" and endorsed by the Habitat for Humanity.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/drumachine09/IMG_0125.jpg


Here is what is on my stand now. Its 1/4 styrafoam sheeting, taped together, and painted over. You can kinda see it. Sorry, hands are a bit shaky tonight:


http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/drumachine09/IMG_0128.jpg

[swales]

Thanks, Drum. That should help me find it a bit easier. I did find a much thinner blue foam insulation sheet that was folded like an accordion (huge huge sheet), but was too thin to be that.

[Becikeja]

I would not count on the foam to level the tank much more than 1/16" or so. You want to make sure the tank is perfectly level before you add water. You will eventually have problems if you don't. It's better to take it apart re-do your cuts now before you regret it in the future. 2X4's are cheap. You don't really need 4X4's. But to your point make sure the weight rests on the wood not on the screws.

[swales]

Thanks the replies. I did and found the one beam that was cut wrong. It was an easy fix.

All I have left to do is prime, paint, and maybe clear coat. Oh, and a little bit of coarse sanding to adjust the exterior. I'll probably post some photos when I'm done.. see what everyone thinks.