Custom 4x4 Carpet Enclosure

[HoldenC]

New 4x2x4 Carpet enclosure in the works! We're using PureBond Maple plywood panels and knotty alder for the frame and trim. The floor is insulated and it has a false ceiling as well. I will be welding and fitting a black polypropylene liner for the enclosure on Monday. The sliding glass doors will be installed Tuesday. Lighting and heat emitters come after that.



http://i41.tinypic.com/2h36kiv.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/zkr5vb.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2yug9ae.jpg



*I'm hoping the 1/8" black polypropylene liner will help with husbandry, cleanliness, and to protect the wood from moisture. The poly will cover the inside of the enclosure except the ceiling. It is 100% watertight.

This is what the welded plastic looks like (except this is clear). It's a thermal weld using hot air and polypro weld bead:

[Mikoh4792]

Wow looks awesome. Have you only been focusing on the cage for now? Or what do you plan to put inside?(for perches, shelves...etc)

[HoldenC]

Thanks Mikoh! So far, I've put all my resources toward building the viv, but I have big dreams of a realistic jungle scene with a recirculating pond, downed trees, fake rocks and vines dangling from above. :)

I did have one question. Where is the most effective location to install the ventilation holes?

[LarryS]

Awesome build!

I am looking forward to seeing the welded poly interior. This is something I have always been interested in but never tried.

Beautiful dog too!

[sharthun]

Great work! Looking forward to the finished viv.

[Mikoh4792]

Thanks Mikoh! So far, I've put all my resources toward building the viv, but I have big dreams of a realistic jungle scene with a recirculating pond, downed trees, fake rocks and vines dangling from above. :)

I did have one question. Where is the most effective location to install the ventilation holes?

I've made a thread about this before, and people have recommended putting the holes near the top on the back and side panels. Although I think it depends on what you are looking for.

[formica]

nice build, i used polycarb to line inside my last wooden build, worked great!

my preference for ventilation is one set at the bottom on the front, and one set on the back at the top, this allows the warm air to rise up and leave out the back, which then draws cooler air into the front

[HoldenC]

Thanks all. I'm excited for the poly liner as well -- best of both worlds.

I've made a thread about this before, and people have recommended putting the holes near the top on the back and side panels. Although I think it depends on what you are looking for.


my preference for ventilation is one set at the bottom on the front, and one set on the back at the top, this allows the warm air to rise up and leave out the back, which then draws cooler air into the front

This makes sense. Air holes at opposite ends will cycle the maximum amount of air, but also have a greater effect on temp and humidity. Considering it's fairly cold and dry where I live, and the doors will be opened at least once a day, I'm assuming one small vent bottom/front and top/back would suffice.

[formica]

Thanks all. I'm excited for the poly liner as well -- best of both worlds.





This makes sense. Air holes at opposite ends will cycle the maximum amount of air, but also have a greater effect on temp and humidity. Considering it's fairly cold and dry where I live, and the doors will be opened at least once a day, I'm assuming one small vent bottom/front and top/back would suffice.

its easier to cover uneeded holes, than drill more in later on, especially if you are using plastic inner walls

I have 7 X 1mm holes, front and back, and 3 top-back on each side, in my CRB enclosure, its currently cycling before she goes in, the humidity is holding @ 90% without a single spray required in over 2 weeks - humidity is <15% in my house now the central heating is on

[benja1]

Hey there:-) i always put two or three holes. (Depends on the lenght of the inclousere) in the lower side in the (cold end) and high in the warm end. As warm air rises i think it makes a good cyklus. Sorry about my bad english:wacky:

[HoldenC]

Benja, your English is a hundred times better than my Danish. ;) I ended up drilling one 3 inch hole on each side, one low and one high. They are both adjustable by turning the vent cover (like a pepper can).

This is taking a lot longer than expected. I was all Monday this! and Tuesday that! Right, right. We just got the insulation in and started welding the walls and floor together. :)

[MizCandice]

Wow that looks amazing, I wish my husband were half as handy lol... Not to mention the handsome dog! Keep us posted, Im curious to see how it looks when all complete.

[HoldenC]

Wow that looks amazing, I wish my husband were half as handy lol... Not to mention the handsome dog! Keep us posted, Im curious to see how it looks when all complete.
Ouch. Haha. We really have no idea what we're doing, but thanks!

Speaking of being clueless, I had one more small question if you guys don't mind. We are making wood runners for the sliding glass doors using a table saw to cut the channels. I'm planning on ordering 3/16" tempered glass. How much of a gap should I leave between the two channels? The two glass panels will overlap in the middle, how much room should be between them?

Hopefully that makes sense. Thanks again.

[formica]

I'd recommend using Plastic runners tbh, the glass movement will eventually wear away any sealant you use to protect the wood, humidity will cause rot/warpin and eventually the runners will fail - you can buy plastic runners for peanuts on ebay




build is looking really nice and clean, nice work

[LarryS]

Id be interested to hear more about the plastic welding if you don't mind. What kind of welder do you use, is there a steep learning curve?

I find this part fascinating.

The build is looking great!

[HoldenC]

I'd recommend using Plastic runners tbh, the glass movement will eventually wear away any sealant you use to protect the wood, humidity will cause rot/warpin and eventually the runners will fail - you can buy plastic runners for peanuts on ebay
Thanks for all your help, Formica. I had the damnedest time finding plastic runners. No one in town has them, not even specialty glass stores, and I couldn't find a seller from the U.S. on eBay. There is one American chain store that sells runners online, so I'll try that.

Id be interested to hear more about the plastic welding if you don't mind. What kind of welder do you use, is there a steep learning curve?

I find this part fascinating.

The build is looking great!
Thanks Larry! Welding polypropylene has to be the easiest weld there is. Basically, it's an industrial-grade thermal glue gun that melts plastic rods onto the joints of the poly. You guide the rods through an adapter head on the welder gun and slide the heated rod along the joint. The head of the welder heats the poly and the rod, melting them together.

I attached a pic of our welder. The switch for the cooling fan broke today, so we had to get creative. :cool:

[Mikoh4792]

Coming along very nicely! How will you heat it? Will you use heat tape and overhead heat?

[HoldenC]

:)

I'm thinking one 160w RHP (12" x 43"). The floor is heavily insulated.

[LarryS]

That is looking great!


Thanks for the info on the thermal welder.

The last time I ordered plastic track it was from Rockler.

http://www.rockler.com/m/product.cfm?page=2275

[benja1]

I would use plastic runners as well. Also with plastic runners you dont have to worry about the size of the gap between the two glasses. By the way it looks awesome so fare:-)

[HoldenC]

I ordered the black plastic runners from Rockler. Good call.

[HoldenC]

Almost done. Fitting and sealing the poly liner was a nightmare, and the top of the enclosure wasn't completely square (off by 1/8-1/4"), but I think it turned out almost perfect.

I'm sanding, treating wood and installing the adjustable vent covers tomorrow. Then it's ready for python stuff.


http://i43.tinypic.com/11lokdd.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/wh63q.jpg

[Terranaut]

Looks awesome. Nice job.

[pdomensis]

Really good work there. Come over to Aberdeen and build me one!

[formica]

excellent work, cant wait to see it finished :) i like the angled ''feet'' at the bottom, is that an air gap under the enclosure, or is that just detail on the front?



I noticed sum slight chipping between your ventilation holes, this is a common problem with plywood, you can avoid this happening in future by using a spare piece of wood, underneath the wood that is being drilled, and by putting slightly less pressure on the drill, this will stop the drill suddenly breaking thru the outer layer, causing those chips

[dbank999]

I noticed sum slight chipping between your ventilation holes, this is a common problem with plywood, you can avoid this happening in future by using a spare piece of wood, underneath the wood that is being drilled, and by putting slightly less pressure on the drill, this will stop the drill suddenly breaking thru the outer layer, causing those chips

^^
Great tip.

Looks good other than that :yes:

What are you doing for lighting?

[HoldenC]

excellent work, cant wait to see it finished :) i like the angled ''feet'' at the bottom, is that an air gap under the enclosure, or is that just detail on the front?

I noticed sum slight chipping between your ventilation holes, this is a common problem with plywood, you can avoid this happening in future by using a spare piece of wood, underneath the wood that is being drilled, and by putting slightly less pressure on the drill, this will stop the drill suddenly breaking thru the outer layer, causing those chips
The "feet" are just for decoration. I'm going to paint the exposed frame black for added effect. :)

The air holes will be covered with plastic vent covers, so you won't see the chipping. My old man got in a hurry and drilled from the inside out. But that is a good tip, Form!

^^
Great tip.

Looks good other than that :yes:

What are you doing for lighting?
I'll try to get pics up, but there's a hidden space where the three interior walls meet the ceiling. I'm running LED strips inside the gap and out the false ceiling.


Thank you all for the kind words and helpful comments. I really appreciate it!

[LarryS]

Wow,looks fantastic!
I agree on the feet, really nice. They add a furniture look to it.

What type of joinery did you use on the face frame pieces?

[HoldenC]

Nothing fancy on the joinery front, Larry; just some 90 degree cuts, wood glue and finishing nails. This project was a much more complicated and expensive than we planned, so we were ready to get it over with. ;)

[Mikoh4792]

Is it light enough to carry by yourself?

[HoldenC]

Is it light enough to carry by yourself?
It's light enough to make you think you can carry it by yourself, but you'll regret it. lol I was worried this enclosure would turn out obscenely heavy, but it's an easy lift for two people.