How much $$$ for a custom stand?

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/11/2009, 02:35 PM

I am looking into every available option i have for my next tank, and right now i am wondering how much i am looking at for a custom wood stand (something nice to match my living room, light oak).

I have 2 bids out to some local cabinet manufacturers, and i am waiting to here back from them. In the mean time i want to hear what others have paid for something around 36X18 - 48X18.

Anyone?

reidcrandall · 05/11/2009, 02:54 PM

I just built one for my 120, which is in the neighborhood of what you're wanting. You can see it in my build thread (red house) to get an idea of what it looks like. I spent about $400 on materials. I would guess more than that adding in the labor and such.

ChknWing · 05/11/2009, 02:55 PM

OK so I built my custom stand myself. It is almost 4 feet high so that I can look into the stand at eye level rather than crouching. It is also for a 90g high. I spent 400 for the oak molding and probably 150-200 for the oak ply and 4" oak stock. The subframe is 4x4 and 2x4 with all stainless steel screws which probably cost about 110 total. Then probably another 60 for stain polyurethane and countless hours working on it. So that is about 770 total, not counting tools that I had to buy. But I will tell you one thing I am super proud that I made it and would do it again, for the learning experience and the pride of saying I made it.

ChknWing · 05/11/2009, 02:56 PM

still working on getting pics of it

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/11/2009, 03:05 PM

Thanks, I have been tossing around the idea of DIY but i want a show piece...which i am unsure i would be able to do on my own lol.

cham · 05/11/2009, 04:20 PM

I had a guy do mine with 3/4" cabinet grade solid oak, crown mouldings and raised panel doors and it was about $850

Mark426 · 05/11/2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cham
I had a guy do mine with 3/4" cabinet grade solid oak, crown mouldings and raised panel doors and it was about $850

Sounds about right.

redfishsc · 05/11/2009, 04:30 PM

Most cabinet makers and other woodworkers tend to charge $50-80 per hour. Don't let the man-hour charge fool you, however---- some shops charge $80 per hour can do the job nearly twice as fast as one at $50 per hour. It depends on machinery, finishing materials, and experience.

Since I don't know the actual trim level you want (other than what you said about it being a real showpiece), I'd have to say you need to expect to spend roughly $700, give or take.

Let me suggest a couple of things, though. DO NOT LET THEM finish the stand with lacquer unless it is "precatalyzed lacquer" which is much more durable. Personally I only spray "conversion varnish" which is similar to automotive paints, in that you must add a catalyst for it to work. It is designed specifically for wood, looks great, and has a chemical durability that is very impressive.

If they don't want to use a catalyzed finish, tell them to use regular polyurethane. It's not quite as chemically resistant as catalyzed solvent-based finishes, but it has a long and strong track record.

cham · 05/11/2009, 04:30 PM

Yeah, good wood work isn't cheap.

Thats stained, an extra shelf inside, overflow opening cut out and delivered to my home.

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/11/2009, 05:10 PM

Well $800 sounds good to me. The one guy i dropped the frame off at (48x18) looked at me like it would be a cold day in hell before he ever built it...so im waiting to see what he says lol.

The other guy was pretty excited, said he had been dead all last week and was itching for work.

It does not have to be a work of art, it can be plain...but it must be finished very well and little to no workmanship flaws.

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/11/2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redfishsc
Most cabinet makers and other woodworkers tend to charge $50-80 per hour. Don't let the man-hour charge fool you, however---- some shops charge $80 per hour can do the job nearly twice as fast as one at $50 per hour. It depends on machinery, finishing materials, and experience.

Since I don't know the actual trim level you want (other than what you said about it being a real showpiece), I'd have to say you need to expect to spend roughly $700, give or take.

Let me suggest a couple of things, though. DO NOT LET THEM finish the stand with lacquer unless it is "precatalyzed lacquer" which is much more durable. Personally I only spray "conversion varnish" which is similar to automotive paints, in that you must add a catalyst for it to work. It is designed specifically for wood, looks great, and has a chemical durability that is very impressive.

If they don't want to use a catalyzed finish, tell them to use regular polyurethane. It's not quite as chemically resistant as catalyzed solvent-based finishes, but it has a long and strong track record.

Thank you!

This will really make sure i get what i want for the long term!

noahm · 05/11/2009, 06:52 PM

Yeah, anything under $1000 is not excessive for something well made and classy that size.

redfishsc · 05/11/2009, 08:46 PM

Just know that in today's economy, many carpenters are struggling. If you are able to be generous (ie, don't haggle) you will be probably helping someone out.

Now don't go and get ripped off either--- pay a FAIR price, and if it's in the $700-800 range, you should expect a good product.

I am a lucky carpenter in that I work for a seminary-- on any given day I might be fixing bricks or building 150 bookshelves, or Lord knows what. My job isn't dependent on what was sold last week, so I am pretty secure.

Not everyone in my trade is in that boat, sad to say (nor are a lot of trades).

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/11/2009, 09:34 PM

Thanks again redfish!

You dont have to tell me twice about getting what you pay for and honest work. I do a lot of pricing where i work (and we do net pricing, no discounts at all)....its aggravating how many people want to haggle even if they are already getting a good deal.

carb850 · 05/11/2009, 10:22 PM

I built the frame and paid a local wood worker to skin it using Baltic Birch Plywood. I applied the finish (poly) myself. Excluding my own labor, I have about $400 in the stand.

davocean · 05/11/2009, 11:09 PM

Yeah, agree w/ redfish there.
I use poly usually myself.
Oak is on lighter end of cost, shouldn't be too bad, I'd charge about $800 finished w/ crown.
Bummer is many peeps see Petco popouts, and expect them for $500 or even less, so I shy from aquarium cabs a lil unless I'm slow.
You should check DIY forum"show me your fancy stands" for ideas.
Lots of cool stuff there.

1DeR9_3Hy · 05/12/2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by carb850

I built the frame and paid a local wood worker to skin it using Baltic Birch Plywood. I applied the finish (poly) myself. Excluding my own labor, I have about $400 in the stand.

Nice stand!

Thanks for the input guys, im very excited to get rolling on this now!

05/11/2009, 02:35 PM	#1
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	How much $$$ for a custom stand? I am looking into every available option i have for my next tank, and right now i am wondering how much i am looking at for a custom wood stand (something nice to match my living room, light oak). I have 2 bids out to some local cabinet manufacturers, and i am waiting to here back from them. In the mean time i want to hear what others have paid for something around 36X18 - 48X18. Anyone?

05/11/2009, 02:54 PM	#2
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	I just built one for my 120, which is in the neighborhood of what you're wanting. You can see it in my build thread (red house) to get an idea of what it looks like. I spent about $400 on materials. I would guess more than that adding in the labor and such. __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress

05/11/2009, 03:05 PM	#5
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	Thanks, I have been tossing around the idea of DIY but i want a show piece...which i am unsure i would be able to do on my own lol. __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

05/11/2009, 04:30 PM	#8
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Most cabinet makers and other woodworkers tend to charge $50-80 per hour. Don't let the man-hour charge fool you, however---- some shops charge $80 per hour can do the job nearly twice as fast as one at $50 per hour. It depends on machinery, finishing materials, and experience. Since I don't know the actual trim level you want (other than what you said about it being a real showpiece), I'd have to say you need to expect to spend roughly $700, give or take. Let me suggest a couple of things, though. DO NOT LET THEM finish the stand with lacquer unless it is "precatalyzed lacquer" which is much more durable. Personally I only spray "conversion varnish" which is similar to automotive paints, in that you must add a catalyst for it to work. It is designed specifically for wood, looks great, and has a chemical durability that is very impressive. If they don't want to use a catalyzed finish, tell them to use regular polyurethane. It's not quite as chemically resistant as catalyzed solvent-based finishes, but it has a long and strong track record. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

05/11/2009, 05:10 PM	#10
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	Well $800 sounds good to me. The one guy i dropped the frame off at (48x18) looked at me like it would be a cold day in hell before he ever built it...so im waiting to see what he says lol. The other guy was pretty excited, said he had been dead all last week and was itching for work. It does not have to be a work of art, it can be plain...but it must be finished very well and little to no workmanship flaws. __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

05/11/2009, 02:55 PM	#3
ChknWing Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 175	OK so I built my custom stand myself. It is almost 4 feet high so that I can look into the stand at eye level rather than crouching. It is also for a 90g high. I spent 400 for the oak molding and probably 150-200 for the oak ply and 4" oak stock. The subframe is 4x4 and 2x4 with all stainless steel screws which probably cost about 110 total. Then probably another 60 for stain polyurethane and countless hours working on it. So that is about 770 total, not counting tools that I had to buy. But I will tell you one thing I am super proud that I made it and would do it again, for the learning experience and the pride of saying I made it.

05/11/2009, 02:56 PM	#4
ChknWing Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 175	still working on getting pics of it

05/11/2009, 04:20 PM	#6
cham Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 3,632	I had a guy do mine with 3/4" cabinet grade solid oak, crown mouldings and raised panel doors and it was about $850

05/11/2009, 06:52 PM	#12
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	Yeah, anything under $1000 is not excessive for something well made and classy that size.

05/11/2009, 08:46 PM	#13
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Just know that in today's economy, many carpenters are struggling. If you are able to be generous (ie, don't haggle) you will be probably helping someone out. Now don't go and get ripped off either--- pay a FAIR price, and if it's in the $700-800 range, you should expect a good product. I am a lucky carpenter in that I work for a seminary-- on any given day I might be fixing bricks or building 150 bookshelves, or Lord knows what. My job isn't dependent on what was sold last week, so I am pretty secure. Not everyone in my trade is in that boat, sad to say (nor are a lot of trades). __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

05/11/2009, 09:34 PM	#14
1DeR9_3Hy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,575	Thanks again redfish! You dont have to tell me twice about getting what you pay for and honest work. I do a lot of pricing where i work (and we do net pricing, no discounts at all)....its aggravating how many people want to haggle even if they are already getting a good deal. __________________ I hope it never catches on, I like having the oldest tank on here and I don't have to worry about calcification, bio pellets, Vodka dosing, DSBs, Chaetomorpha (I don't even know what that is) Carbonite hardness and all of these other things many people worry about. If I had to think about all of that stuff I would get a stroke. My test kit came in a wooden box and the directions say to keep in a cool chariott. I throw some food in the tank, wave hello to the fish and go out with my wife and have a nice glass of merlot with dinner. Have a great day but most of all, have fun. -PaulB Current Tank Info: 27 Gallon DAS softy/fish reef

05/11/2009, 10:22 PM	#15
carb850 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 2,042	I built the frame and paid a local wood worker to skin it using Baltic Birch Plywood. I applied the finish (poly) myself. Excluding my own labor, I have about $400 in the stand.

05/11/2009, 11:09 PM	#16
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Yeah, agree w/ redfish there. I use poly usually myself. Oak is on lighter end of cost, shouldn't be too bad, I'd charge about $800 finished w/ crown. Bummer is many peeps see Petco popouts, and expect them for $500 or even less, so I shy from aquarium cabs a lil unless I'm slow. You should check DIY forum"show me your fancy stands" for ideas. Lots of cool stuff there. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD