View Full Version : Mobile Aluminum Extrusion (t slot) 29 gallon tank frame
Snug Tanks
05/16/2017, 07:17 AM
Hello,
Had a standard wood tank base on legs when I decided to make myself a portable tank. Created the tank base with ControlledDynamics.com framing and hardware (similar to 80/20). Went together extremely easy, probably took 10 min to put the base together and have all setup. Have caster wheels to move around the room. Just set up last night, will add a shelf and possibly a cabinet to keep the cords etc hidden... Be updating post with additional pictures and comments.
Looks like the pic has been rotated, will update this evening with additional pictures of the corners/connections.
Thank you for reading!
karimwassef
05/16/2017, 07:50 AM
Why does it need to move?
Snug Tanks
05/16/2017, 07:59 AM
For cleaning purposes. Think its nice to be able to move the tank
mcgyvr
05/16/2017, 08:08 AM
I am planning on doing the same as soon as the wife okays the new tank I want.. (has hell frozen over yet?)
So long as the casters are rated for the load (well in excess is best) its a great idea IMO..
Need to access a leaking bulkhead up against the wall.. ok...Simply move the whole tank as needed..
I love aluminum extrusions too.. Adult legos... I use them for machine frames at work all the time..
karimwassef
05/16/2017, 08:36 AM
But don't casters deform if they don't move for a long period of time?
karimwassef
05/16/2017, 08:39 AM
Where do you buy your extrusions, mcgyvr?
Snug Tanks
05/16/2017, 08:51 AM
The caster wheels are rated @ 2,500 lbs. These are HD for sure maybe a little over kill but better too big then too small. Yea have used Controlled Dynamics for benches, work stations for pretty much anything that needs a frame.
karimwassef
05/16/2017, 09:41 AM
Not sure where to buy though. Website isn't easy to navigate to a purchase? But it may just be me.
karimwassef
05/16/2017, 09:42 AM
How about he dynamic stress of the water in the tank? The wall thickness and joints need to be strong enough to support the acceleration and jerk of a body of water.
mcgyvr
05/16/2017, 10:38 AM
Where do you buy your extrusions, mcgyvr?
At work I buy it all from misumi.. I get it by the 13ft length (4000mm)
https://us.misumi-ec.com/vona2/mech/M1500000000/M1501000000/
For home I've bought 80/20 from their own ebay store or misumi in shorter lengths..
Snug Tanks
05/18/2017, 07:43 AM
Thank you for the replies! This weekend will update pics with a handle and possibly a shelf on the bottom.
karimwassef: not 100% sure but will do some homework this weekend to find out what the tank will produce, for the extrusions they will handle the weight no problem. Just one of the joints will take over 1,000 lbs to pull out. Also the caster wheels are HD so there will be no problem with the frame.
Snug Tanks
05/19/2017, 08:46 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LErpw9STO-4&feature=youtu.be
Here is a video explaining the difference between the extrusions.
Thanks again everyone!
karimwassef
05/19/2017, 09:59 AM
Do you guys think it's possible to build a greenhouse with this technology?
I realize it's a lot to ask but I believe in better engineering and this looks like it has some potential.
Could it stand up to a tornado if engineered properly?
Can it be easier to seal because the interconnects are more precise?
Could it even be cheaper ?
Ron Reefman
05/21/2017, 04:47 AM
Could it stand up to a tornado if engineered properly?
I hope you're kidding? Humans build very little that stands up to a tornado.
A very small and short lived tornado went almost directly over our house in January of 2016. It took out 3 big trees, the ridge vent off the roof and half the soffit, 25% of the gutters. It sucked 30% of the insulation out of the attic and delivered a 50 gallon garbage container half full of water from 3/4 of a mile away in absolutely perfect condition! Waste Pro has serial numbers on their containers which is how I know there it came from. It did more damage in 1 minute than an Cat 3 hurricane did in 3 hours that pasted just 2 miles away.
karimwassef
05/21/2017, 08:46 AM
I meant hurricane.. not tornado
I'm asking because the alternative claims to be able to hold up to hurricanes.
mcgyvr
05/22/2017, 05:04 AM
sure it can........disclaimer.. when properly designed..
The material is very strong and very consistent as far as tolerances,etc...
Its a great material to use for anything structural like a greenhouse,etc.....
karimwassef
05/22/2017, 10:11 AM
Is there any access to design guidance or services from the manufacturer?
ca1ore
05/22/2017, 11:39 AM
Just be carful. If the floor is not perfectly flat/level, moving the tank may result in twisting stresses on the panels.
mcgyvr
05/23/2017, 05:09 AM
Is there any access to design guidance or services from the manufacturer?
Some have "design guides" for span/deflection,etc... calculations..
But for "tornado" design... I highly doubt it..
Any Engineering firm specializing in that can certainly help..
Its really not that difficult though... Bolt it down solid and you should be good to go..
There are just too many potential applications for this material for them to have a tornado specific one..
karimwassef
05/23/2017, 06:17 AM
I didn't mean specifically hurricane spec design. Some companies will have support engineers who can consult on the use of their product, especially if the potential sale value is high. Sometime they have case studies, premade designs, or application notes.
If I buy $20k worth of the stuff, I could use some help...
I'd rather get it from the manufacturer for free (pay by buying) vs having to hire a PE architect to check the numbers... that reduces my budget for material.
mcgyvr
05/25/2017, 10:37 AM
I didn't mean specifically hurricane spec design. Some companies will have support engineers who can consult on the use of their product, especially if the potential sale value is high. Sometime they have case studies, premade designs, or application notes.
If I buy $20k worth of the stuff, I could use some help...
I'd rather get it from the manufacturer for free (pay by buying) vs having to hire a PE architect to check the numbers... that reduces my budget for material.
Pick up the phone and ask.. Thats all you can do..
However... for the most part "support Engineers" aren't real Engineers.. just trained salesmen... And if you are asking about Structural Engineering questions where liability,etc.. is concerned you won't typically find that and the manufacturer..
It can't hurt to ask.. Give them all a call..
Snug Tanks
05/25/2017, 02:38 PM
Pick up the phone and ask.. Thats all you can do..
However... for the most part "support Engineers" aren't real Engineers.. just trained salesmen... And if you are asking about Structural Engineering questions where liability,etc.. is concerned you won't typically find that and the manufacturer..
It can't hurt to ask.. Give them all a call..
mcgyvr: can get self leveling caster wheels so there will be no worry about elevation or any other issues. Can get specs for the aluminum and the brackets that i have been using.
mcgyvr
05/26/2017, 05:01 AM
I just moved into my new house.. I threw some of those padded furniture moving pucks under my tank stand.. So easy to move the 40B tank/stand out of the way now on the wood floor.. Loving it!!!
Snug Tanks
05/26/2017, 07:51 AM
I just moved into my new house.. I threw some of those padded furniture moving pucks under my tank stand.. So easy to move the 40B tank/stand out of the way now on the wood floor.. Loving it!!!
Right on, making life easy!
Snug Tanks
05/26/2017, 07:55 AM
I didn't mean specifically hurricane spec design. Some companies will have support engineers who can consult on the use of their product, especially if the potential sale value is high. Sometime they have case studies, premade designs, or application notes.
If I buy $20k worth of the stuff, I could use some help...
I'd rather get it from the manufacturer for free (pay by buying) vs having to hire a PE architect to check the numbers... that reduces my budget for material.
Karimwassef, Have a contact at Controlled Dynamics that could get you the specs that your are asking for, I know their product is the toughest out there. With 80/20 their extrusions are the strongest part, with CD the rail is the weakest part. so that should make the difference when purchasing. Let me know!
karimwassef
05/26/2017, 08:40 AM
Sure. Send me the contact info or share here if it's public.
Thanks!
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