Steel Stand Leveling Ideas

[suresh2989]

Hi Friends,

Please suggest me with ideas about how I go about leveling my Tank stand, please find the attached pictures.

The stand itself is made of 1.5 inch hollow tubing and it was custom made and I finished painting it in my balcony , the little screw holes are welded on to the 6 vertical legs of the stand.
each of the hole is about 2" in length but the threading is only the height of the little square piece welded(see in the third picture ).

The hole's threading itself is 3/8"

Now I live in an apartment with hardwood flooring but it is not perfectly flat and I ordered the custom stand with some sort of Leveling mount in my mind but I need help in choosing leveling mount that will handle the weight of 60" X 24" X 19" Acrylic(1/2" thick) tank and the steel stand, lets just put it as 2000Lbs.

The leveling mounts that I find online are either prohibitively expensive ( https://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/l...se-dia-473-inchesh-1800-lbs-cap-304-ss?ref=42 )

or the one in Amazon are looking very suspect ( weight capacity )

can anyone suggest Leveling mounts that won't break my bank or am I better off with shims ?

Oh I live in Ontario, Canada btw.

Thanks for all Suggestions and advise!
Suresh Kumar

 

[HuduVudu]

@suresh2989 this would be about right for cost on leveling casters. I am a little confused about your concern with the cost. This is drop in the bucket of the total cost of the size of tank that you are planning on setting up. You will learn that in this hobby it is better to do it right than to cut corners on cost. It is very very easy to end up spending way more in some other area when you cut corners in another.

A couple of the ways that I deal with cost is to extend my time horizons. This allows me to take smaller bites out of my disposible income over longer periods. Your tank isn't set up yet so you don't have the urgency of needing to pay for thingsright away. Take your time and be patient. It's an incredibly necessary lesson that you will absolutely need once you start stocking and dealing with creatures.

Good luck

 

[kados]

I use these from Home Depot. I've seen them used on some acrylic monster size tanks also. They're composite not wood so they won't deteriorate.

 

[suresh2989]

@suresh2989 this would be about right for cost on leveling casters. I am a little confused about your concern with the cost. This is drop in the bucket of the total cost of the size of tank that you are planning on setting up. You will learn that in this hobby it is better to do it right than to cut corners on cost. It is very very easy to end up spending way more in some other area when you cut corners in another.

A couple of the ways that I deal with cost is to extend my time horizons. This allows me to take smaller bites out of my disposible income over longer periods. Your tank isn't set up yet so you don't have the urgency of needing to pay for thingsright away. Take your time and be patient. It's an incredibly necessary lesson that you will absolutely need once you start stocking and dealing with creatures.

Good luck

I agree that’s it’s better to do it right but i worried about making costly mistakes as I know nothing about what to order and the lead wait times for the products as well.

I waited 3 weeks for a swivel type levelling mount from Grainger.ca which they delivered partly(1/6) and told me they have no estimate on when they will get the rest of the quantities so I asked them to cancel the order.

the link I posted does not even give me a shipping estimate so I’m looking for alternatives from people who have sourced these leveling mounts in the past.

I do agree with you and am also appreciate advise on the length of bolt and other factors that I should consider while ordering these.

thanks
Suresh kumar

 

[HuduVudu]

I agree that’s it’s better to do it right but i worried about making costly mistakes as I know nothing about what to order and the lead wait times for the products as well.

I waited 3 weeks for a swivel type levelling mount from Grainger.ca which they delivered partly(1/6) and told me they have no estimate on when they will get the rest of the quantities so I asked them to cancel the order.

the link I posted does not even give me a shipping estimate so I’m looking for alternatives from people who have sourced these leveling mounts in the past.

I do agree with you and am also appreciate advise on the length of bolt and other factors that I should consider while ordering these.

thanks
Suresh kumar

Here are some ideas.

2 dozen (24) 4"x3/8"-16 Adjustable lathe furniture leveling feet glides | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 dozen (24) 4"x3/8"-16 Adjustable lathe furniture leveling feet glides at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Scale Leveling Load-cell Foot | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Scale Leveling Load-cell Foot at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[BZOFIQ]

You need to know the actual thread size before you start looking. Once you have that we can start making recommendations. Is it the nominal coarse thread of 3/8-16?

 

[aprince48]

I used 6 of these on my 275 gallon on a steel stand. A little pricey, but full stainless, and swiveling feet to work on not perfect floor. A little overkill, but good quality.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

The size you'd need are a little cheaper, at least!

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[suresh2989]

You need to know the actual thread size before you start looking. Once you have that we can start making recommendations. Is it the nominal coarse thread of 3/8-16?

I don’t know the thread count size, let me ask the fabricator.

 

[BZOFIQ]

For 3/8-16 thread you can order these

Leveling Mount, 3/8-16 x 2" Thread Length , 1.25" Base Dia, 2.88"H, 3750 Lbs. Load Cap - Made In USA

Leveling Mount, 3/8-16 x 2" Thread Length , 1.25" Base Dia, 2.88"H, 3750 Lbs. Load Cap - Made In USA. Ships in One Business Day. Buy it and Save at https://www.globalindustrial.ca

www.globalindustrial.ca

Fastenal Industrial Supplies, OEM Fasteners, Safety Products & More

Fastenal is the largest fastener distributor in North America. Shop our huge selection of OEM, MRO, construction, industrial, and safety products.

www.fastenal.com

S & W Level Mount, Swivel Stud, 3/8-16, 1-1/4 in. BSW-1N | Zoro

Order S & W Level Mount, Swivel Stud, 3/8-16, 1-1/4 in., BSW-1N at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Whatever you buy, make sure it has clearly marked weight rating

 

[suresh2989]

Hi Friends,

Please suggest me with ideas about how I go about leveling my Tank stand, please find the attached pictures.

The stand itself is made of 1.5 inch hollow tubing and it was custom made and I finished painting it in my balcony , the little screw holes are welded on to the 6 vertical legs of the stand.
each of the hole is about 2" in length but the threading is only the height of the little square piece welded(see in the third picture ).

The hole's threading itself is 3/8"

Now I live in an apartment with hardwood flooring but it is not perfectly flat and I ordered the custom stand with some sort of Leveling mount in my mind but I need help in choosing leveling mount that will handle the weight of 60" X 24" X 19" Acrylic(1/2" thick) tank and the steel stand, lets just put it as 2000Lbs.

The leveling mounts that I find online are either prohibitively expensive ( https://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/l...se-dia-473-inchesh-1800-lbs-cap-304-ss?ref=42 )

or the one in Amazon are looking very suspect ( weight capacity )

can anyone suggest Leveling mounts that won't break my bank or am I better off with shims ?

Oh I live in Ontario, Canada btw.

Thanks for all Suggestions and advise!
Suresh Kumar

Hi everyone!
I got the details from Fanricator,

the thread is 3/8”-16

I can see McMaster ones give me more options but do not know if they will ship to Canada.

follow up question, is it safe to get swivel levelling feet or the fixed feet?

which ones work well for Aquariums and stands ?

please pour in your suggestions.

 

[aprince48]

The weight rating counts the swiveling. I needed them because the floor is uneven where the tank is, and no issues.

 

[jelazar]

I used x8 80/20 "2183 leveling glide" for my 350 gallon tank. The shaft is threaded 3/8-16, and pivots slightly. My stand is sitting directly on our hardwood floors.

 

[suresh2989]

I used x8 80/20 "2183 leveling glide" for my 350 gallon tank. The shaft is threaded 3/8-16, and pivots slightly. My stand is sitting directly on our hardwood floors.

Thanks so much Jelazar, picture helps me a lot, I have got the parts shipped to me from US finally after weeks of waiting please have a look and let me know if I have everything .

should I be hand tightening the nut shown in the picture to adjust height and after tightening and leveling should I use any thread lock sprays/product ? Sorry for the basic questions I have no experience in mechanical things.

 

[suresh2989]

Thanks so much Jelazar, picture helps me a lot, I have got the parts shipped to me from US finally after weeks of waiting please have a look and let me know if I have everything .

should I be hand tightening the nut shown in the picture to adjust height and after tightening and leveling should I use any thread lock sprays/product ? Sorry for the basic questions I have no experience in mechanical things.

More pics pre fitting in stand

 

[c4sxm5]

Hi Friends,

Please suggest me with ideas about how I go about leveling my Tank stand, please find the attached pictures.

The stand itself is made of 1.5 inch hollow tubing and it was custom made and I finished painting it in my balcony , the little screw holes are welded on to the 6 vertical legs of the stand.
each of the hole is about 2" in length but the threading is only the height of the little square piece welded(see in the third picture ).

The hole's threading itself is 3/8"

Now I live in an apartment with hardwood flooring but it is not perfectly flat and I ordered the custom stand with some sort of Leveling mount in my mind but I need help in choosing leveling mount that will handle the weight of 60" X 24" X 19" Acrylic(1/2" thick) tank and the steel stand, lets just put it as 2000Lbs.

The leveling mounts that I find online are either prohibitively expensive ( https://www.globalindustrial.ca/p/l...se-dia-473-inchesh-1800-lbs-cap-304-ss?ref=42 )

or the one in Amazon are looking very suspect ( weight capacity )

can anyone suggest Leveling mounts that won't break my bank or am I better off with shims ?

Oh I live in Ontario, Canada btw.

Thanks for all Suggestions and advise!
Suresh Kumar

Is this typical how leveling feet’s are attached to stands? My fabricator wants to weld the nut directly to the stand VS threading. I’m assuming it’s easier for him to weld the nut but will it still be able to hold the weight?

 

[BZOFIQ]

Is this typical how leveling feet’s are attached to stands? My fabricator wants to weld the nut directly to the stand VS threading. I’m assuming it’s easier for him to weld the nut but will it still be able to hold the weight?

Guessing you're talking about steel stand - that's different.

Alu stand shown above has a "solid" core that is threaded, steel tubes are empty.

The way the OP has his stand built with welded steel stock is nice too - better than a nut welded to a tube.

 

[c4sxm5]

Guessing you're talking about steel stand - that's different.

Alu stand shown above has a "solid" core that is threaded, steel tubes are empty.

The way the OP has his stand built with welded steel stock is nice too - better than a nut welded to a tube.

Sorry I was trying to reply to the OP first posting. I’m having a steel stand built and just trying to figure out the options for leveling feet and how they typical attached to the stand. Do most thread them and screw them in or are there other ways without compromising how much weight each foot can handle?

 

[All_talk]

The threaded blocks like the OPs stand are a very good method for a steel stand. They allow for proper thread engagement and spread the load to the walls of the tube. A welded in nut could be OK depending on how its done. Two things I would avoid are, any configuration where the weld itself is carrying the weight. Or the nut in the middle of a horizontal face of a thin wall tube.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Sorry I was trying to reply to the OP first posting. I’m having a steel stand built and just trying to figure out the options for leveling feet and how they typical attached to the stand. Do most thread them and screw them in or are there other ways without compromising how much weight each foot can handle?

See #18 above, spot on.

 

[suresh2989]

The threaded blocks like the OPs stand are a very good method for a steel stand. They allow for proper thread engagement and spread the load to the walls of the tube. A welded in nut could be OK depending on how its done. Two things I would avoid are, any configuration where the weld itself is carrying the weight. Or the nut in the middle of a horizontal face of a thin wall tube.

Sorry for the late response, I have to agree the threaded setup allows for the weight to be spread along a bigger length than just a welded nut, also gives you more height flexibility if that makes sense when leveling.