T-Slot Build Question - Leveling Feet?

platy · 10/12/2016, 04:53 PM

Just curios if anyone has any thoughts on building a T-Slot stand with
a) leveling feet or
b) having the vertical supports rest directly on top of the horizontal rails of a frame at the base.

pluses for leveling feet
-easy to level the stand

minuses
-6 pressure points on a wood floor.

Connecting the verticals supports to the horizontal rails on the base would distribute the wait more evenly but make leveling a little more difficult. I might need to level one corner.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

1234 · 10/13/2016, 06:34 AM

It could work, but that stuff is spendy, the aluminum will tarnish. Why not just the usually 2x4 frame if it's gonna to be "skinned" ?

gus6464 · 10/13/2016, 02:43 PM

2x4 is ugly with unnecessary bulk.

mcgyvr · 10/13/2016, 03:47 PM

a) leveling feet work great and are a smart addition to a stand..
b) Yes having the verticals land on the horizontals is better as it takes the needed tslot fasteners out of shear..

I love working with tslot profiles.. Thats adult Legos for me :thumbsup
I buy all mine from misumi but have used 80/20 on ebay before.. basically the same stuff..

and yes you can make some modern/beautiful stands with it..
and its typically clear/black anodized and will hold up great and not tarnish.. No "rot/mold" to ever worry about like wood.. Some rust on the steel fasteners is the worst it will get..

sleepydoc · 10/13/2016, 05:27 PM

BRS used a t-slot frame for their clown harem tank they have in their lobby. I have to say I like it - clean & Low profile, fairly easy to assemble. Lots of flexibility with the skin and you can take off the panels if you need to for maintenance. I agree - I'd rather have a t-slot stand than a 2x4 one.

If you use leveling feet, make sure they're rated for the weight and fastened/secured properly. They'll also add an inch or so under the bottom members which may or may not be an issue for you. Otherwise you could shim it like you do a regular stand.

platy · 03/08/2017, 07:30 PM

I went with T-Slot Black Anodized Frame with the verticals resting on the horizontals like the Rocket frame.

I was concerned that using feet would be placing too much pressure on the wood floor and I would have to put something under the feet anyway to distribute the pressure. OK, then, Why not just shim?

I built one frame out of 2x4's using the Rocket design. Worked fine. Enjoyed the project. But I like the T-Slot better for access and modern, minimalist design which works in my apt. It was a little pricey I admit but the access is amazing for plumbing and maintenance. Heck, I've thrown so much money away already. Girlfriend always reminds me how cheap her cat is to keep.

No matter how much room you think you have under your stand, you always run out of space. I always find myself trying to cram just one more thing that just won't fit.

And thanks everyone for your thoughts.

10/12/2016, 04:53 PM	#1
platy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23	T-Slot Build Question - Leveling Feet? Just curios if anyone has any thoughts on building a T-Slot stand with a) leveling feet or b) having the vertical supports rest directly on top of the horizontal rails of a frame at the base. pluses for leveling feet -easy to level the stand minuses -6 pressure points on a wood floor. Connecting the verticals supports to the horizontal rails on the base would distribute the wait more evenly but make leveling a little more difficult. I might need to level one corner. Any thoughts? Thanks.

10/13/2016, 06:34 AM	#2
1234 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Portland,OR Posts: 769	It could work, but that stuff is spendy, the aluminum will tarnish. Why not just the usually 2x4 frame if it's gonna to be "skinned" ? __________________ I'm out of my mind, Please leave a message Current Tank Info: 225gal diy 60"x36"x24"

10/13/2016, 03:47 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	a) leveling feet work great and are a smart addition to a stand.. b) Yes having the verticals land on the horizontals is better as it takes the needed tslot fasteners out of shear.. I love working with tslot profiles.. Thats adult Legos for me :thumbsup I buy all mine from misumi but have used 80/20 on ebay before.. basically the same stuff.. and yes you can make some modern/beautiful stands with it.. and its typically clear/black anodized and will hold up great and not tarnish.. No "rot/mold" to ever worry about like wood.. Some rust on the steel fasteners is the worst it will get.. __________________ Who me?

10/13/2016, 05:27 PM	#5
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	BRS used a t-slot frame for their clown harem tank they have in their lobby. I have to say I like it - clean & Low profile, fairly easy to assemble. Lots of flexibility with the skin and you can take off the panels if you need to for maintenance. I agree - I'd rather have a t-slot stand than a 2x4 one. If you use leveling feet, make sure they're rated for the weight and fastened/secured properly. They'll also add an inch or so under the bottom members which may or may not be an issue for you. Otherwise you could shim it like you do a regular stand. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

10/13/2016, 02:43 PM	#3
gus6464 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,079	2x4 is ugly with unnecessary bulk.

03/08/2017, 07:30 PM	#6
platy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23	I went with T-Slot Black Anodized Frame with the verticals resting on the horizontals like the Rocket frame. I was concerned that using feet would be placing too much pressure on the wood floor and I would have to put something under the feet anyway to distribute the pressure. OK, then, Why not just shim? I built one frame out of 2x4's using the Rocket design. Worked fine. Enjoyed the project. But I like the T-Slot better for access and modern, minimalist design which works in my apt. It was a little pricey I admit but the access is amazing for plumbing and maintenance. Heck, I've thrown so much money away already. Girlfriend always reminds me how cheap her cat is to keep. No matter how much room you think you have under your stand, you always run out of space. I always find myself trying to cram just one more thing that just won't fit. And thanks everyone for your thoughts.