DIY stand and DIY sump

[Reefer769]

im trying to build my second DIY stand, becuase i messed up the first one...i just finished glueing together the top frame, AND ITS NOT EVEN!! wow could it be the wood? or do i just suck at building?

anyways, could anyone please give me some pointers on how to even out the frame when i start building the stand today, and it is a good idea to first glue the wood together, make sure its even, then drill the screws right in right?

- i might be buying the bad kind of 2x4's:eek3: im going out today to pick up the rest of the wood i need to finish the stand, and ill see if i can pick out some nice and even ones today.

Also i figured i should just mention my sump in this thread instead of starting a new one.
-okay, i need to know what kind of glue i will need to glue the plexiglas to the all-glass aquarium? and would i be able to pick it up at home depot, or would it be in a LFS?

[Meric]

There are a few reasons why it could be uneven. Depending on what you mean by uneven.

The first reason is that the wood was very warped. When you are buy the wood, pick it up and hold it like a rifle and look down the length of the wood. If it bends in any direction more than a couple of inches throw it back. I had to go through almost 60 2x4's to find 10 straight pieces.

The second reason is that you didn't cut the wood to the same group length's. ie: You needed (2) 31" Boards and (2) 15" boards and you cut (1) 31", (1) 30.5", (1) 15.5", (1) 15" If your lengths and widths are not the same length your frame will never be straight. Remeasure each piece again. Use a good quality tape measure. It's not rocket science, but even .375" off can make a crooked frame.

The third reason is that you did not make straight cuts, meaning the board is longer in one corner than the other corner. Measure the length of the board on each half to make sure each half of the board is straight. If not recut the wood.

The fourth reason is that you didn't glue the wood together at 90 degree angles. Hardware stores sell a 90 degree tool for the specific pupose of joining wood together at 90 degrees. Also buy a carpenter's square it will help.

The last possiblity is that the frame is bowed in the middle. If this is the case don't fret too much. When you attach the ply wood and the legs it should straighten every thing out.

Remember wood is a living thing, it is flexible to a degree.

If you frame is seriously crooked or uneven, do not continue. Take apart every thing and redo it.