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Calling Saulty

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FreeFall

FreeFall

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Hey Saulty,

I have a question that you might be able to help me with. I moved into a new place and need to move my 30 gal fish tank. My guess is it can't weight more than 500lbs. I'd like to change the structure it sits on to something more sound and supportive. I'd also like that structure to be a dresser.

The dimensions of the tank are L 20.8 x W 20.1 x H 19. I'd like to build or buy a dresser that can support this weight and have this tank sit on it with say at least an inch all around. As for the structure I'd like it to look similar to say http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80195862/ or http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103349/ style of dresser.

Any tricks/tips/ideas on how to figure out if these structures for IKEA or anywhere can support such weight? Should I make it myself so I know it's structurally sound?

I now live in an apartment complex on the 3rd story. Will this kind of weight be supporter by the flooring/building?

Thanks for your help,

FreeFall
 
FreeFall
Hey Saulty,

I have a question that you might be able to help me with. I moved into a new place and need to move my 30 gal fish tank. My guess is it can't weight more than 500lbs. I'd like to change the structure it sits on to something more sound and supportive. I'd also like that structure to be a dresser.

The dimensions of the tank are L 20.8 x W 20.1 x H 19. I'd like to build or buy a dresser that can support this weight and have this tank sit on it with say at least an inch all around. As for the structure I'd like it to look similar to say http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80195862/ or http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103349/ style of dresser.

Any tricks/tips/ideas on how to figure out if these structures for IKEA or anywhere can support such weight? Should I make it myself so I know it's structurally sound?

I now live in an apartment complex on the 3rd story. Will this kind of weight be supporter by the flooring/building?

Thanks for your help,

FreeFall
Click to expand...

1. Based on the dimensions you gave me the tank is 4.6 cubic feet and when full with water will weigh 287 lbs plus the weight of the glass tank. I'm also assuming your tank has 1/2" thick glass max and based on those dimensions it shouldn't weigh more than 55 lbs. So worst case your tank full with water will weigh 350 lbs.

2. 350 lbs is the weight of two people (or 1 obese one). So if two people can stand on the dresser and it doesn't break it should be able to hold your tank. Can you ask the people at IKEA if you and a friend of yours can stand on it?

3. The floor of the apartment will support the load. 350 lbs is not a lot of load. My old TV weighed more than that.
 
Saulty
1. Based on the dimensions you gave me the tank is 4.6 cubic feet and when full with water will weigh 287 lbs plus the weight of the glass tank. I'm also assuming your tank has 1/2" thick glass max and based on those dimensions it shouldn't weigh more than 55 lbs. So worst case your tank full with water will weigh 350 lbs.

2. 350 lbs is the weight of two people (or 1 obese one). So if two people can stand on the dresser and it doesn't break it should be able to hold your tank. Can you ask the people at IKEA if you and a friend of yours can stand on it?

3. The floor of the apartment will support the load. 350 lbs is not a lot of load. My old TV weighed more than that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input! I work to break things so as you can imagine I just jump to work case which was why I had a higher number on my end. So I should stop being so paranoid and just go stand on furniute I like at ikea?
 
FreeFall
Thanks for the input! I work to break things so as you can imagine I just jump to work case which was why I had a higher number on my end. So I should stop being so paranoid and just go stand on furniute I like at ikea?
Click to expand...

Remember to be courteous and remove your shoes before standing on furniture in the showroom.
 
FreeFall
Thanks for the input! I work to break things so as you can imagine I just jump to work case which was why I had a higher number on my end. So I should stop being so paranoid and just go stand on furniute I like at ikea?
Click to expand...

Well when you go to IKEA check to see how thick is the top. Is it plywood, composite or solid wood? Then check the legs. How thick are they and are they solid wood?

I put together a dresser from IKEA for my daughter's room a few years back and it was sturdy. Try to push the top down with both hands at the store as hard as you can and see if it bends easily.
 
Saulty
Well when you go to IKEA check to see how thick is the top. Is it plywood, composite or solid wood? Then check the legs. How thick are they and are they solid wood?

I put together a dresser from IKEA for my daughter's room a few years back and it was sturdy. Try to push the top down with both hands at the store as hard as you can and see if it bends easily.
Click to expand...

so am to buy the ones made of solidwood isntead of the cheaper composite or plywood frames? How much weight could they hold ~300lbs?
 
FreeFall
so am to buy the ones made of solidwood isntead of the cheaper composite or plywood frames? How much weight could they hold ~300lbs?
Click to expand...

This is from the link you posted:

Product information


VALLVIK
6-drawer dresser
$159.00
Product dimensions
Width: 55 7/8 "
Depth: 19 1/4 "
Height: 29 1/2 "
Width: 142 cm
Depth: 49 cm
Height: 75 cm
This product requires assembly
Download assembly instructions.
Package measurement and weight
Packages:: 2
Article Number: 801.958.62
Width:
Height:
Length:
Weight: 97lb
Quantity: 1

Article Number: 801.958.62
Width: cm
Height: cm
Length: cm
Weight: 44.2 kg
Quantity: 1
Care instructions
Wipe clean using a damp cloth and a mild cleaner.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Product description
Drawer front/ Top panel/ Side panel/ Support rail, front: Solid pine, Stain, Clear acrylic lacquer
Drawer sides/ Drawer back/ Support rail, back: Solid pine
Drawer bottom: Fiberboard, Acrylic paint
Back panel: Fiberboard
Click to expand...

It looks like the frame is made out of solid pine which is good. It's 55 7/8" wide but only deep 19 1/4". Looks like your tank is deeper than 19 1/4" so the tank will be slightly bigger and maybe won't fit. It weighs 97 lbs which means it's made out of solid wood.
 
350LBs is way to much weight to put on a cheap dresser.
need to custom build it or should I say custom OVERBUILD it!!!
pocket screw and glue all joints at the very least.

if i was building it, I'd break up drawers/door into at least 3 sections w/ 3/4" ply seperating each section and also acting as support for
top. w/out some beefy support for the top your best case would be it will sag over time... worst case, you flood the apt when it collapses.

I'll just about bet my left nut anything coming from IKEA is not gonna be solid pine.
just a pine veneer to fool the masses


my advice hire a cabinet maker to build one... and expect to pay lot more then $150 :lol:
 
senco78
350LBs is way to much weight to put on a cheap dresser.
need to custom build it or should I say custom OVERBUILD it!!!
pocket screw and glue all joints at the very least.

if i was building it, I'd break up drawers/door into at least 3 sections w/ 3/4" ply seperating each section and also acting as support for
top. w/out some beefy support for the top your best case would be it will sag over time... worst case, you flood the apt when it collapses.

I'll just about bet my left nut anything coming from IKEA is not gonna be solid pine.
just a pine veneer to fool the masses


my advice hire a cabinet maker to build one... and expect to pay lot more then $150 :lol:
Click to expand...

how can you explain why it's sitting on an IKEA cabinet on four wheels for the last 11 months then?

I went to ikea and had three friends stand on the cabinet with me. I then had us jump at the same time to try and increase the force of us on the product. I agree a custom cabinet maker would help I'm just not sure I want to turn this into that kind of project.
 
FreeFall
how can you explain why it's sitting on an IKEA cabinet on four wheels for the last 11 months then?

I went to ikea and had three friends stand on the cabinet with me. I then had us jump at the same time to try and increase the force of us on the product. I agree a custom cabinet maker would help I'm just not sure I want to turn this into that kind of project.
Click to expand...

just giving my opinion.
I'm not an engineer but do make a living as a finish carpenter. If I was hired to build a cabinet to hold 350LBs it would be damn near
bomb proof... if just for my piece of mind and not having to worry with it failing down the road.

I'll see if I can find some deflection charts for different species and widths. I know for a fact that you cant span a 1X12 very far w/out deflection. Building shelfs for pantries and such any board 16" wide or less needs support a minimum of 24"s. and thats just to hold canned
goods.

get a palm sander and a 60 grit sanding pad. Sand through the finish on the cabinet you own and see if its solid wood. Sanding the
endgrain will show if its ply or solid.


http://community.woodmagazine.com/t5/media/v1/gallerypage/user-id/27/image-id/16914i228998C1AA47941F
 
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