New Build

[mclund]

Here is the beginning of our newest build.
27403
Routing v-grooves
27404
V-grooves complete, it's a messy process
27405
Cutting cage to size
27407
Routing dado for flush mounted LED lights
27408
It doesn't look like much yet, but it is ready for door openings to be routed.

Obviously there are a few steps not pictured, but this was a couple hours worth of work. We did have to finish up a couple of templates tonight as well. I will update the progress as it moves along.

[kelzerman]

Nice! I didn't realize you guys were miter folding these cages! Nice setup by the way too ;)

[mclund]

Nice! I didn't realize you guys were miter folding these cages! ;)


Thanks. IMO It makes for a much nicer looking finished product. I will get pictures all the way through this build. :bouncy:

[kelzerman]

Oh I agree. We do a lot of miter folding here with MDF with kydex. The seamless finish is amazing. Except we do it all on a CNC. It makes me giddy seeing someone doing this by hand. Glad to know the art hasn't died!

[formica]

awsome :D is that going to be a divided enclosure? or is the central groove for something else?

going to get an extractor extension for my router I think, the mess is unbelievable from pvcx lol and if a little tiny particle gets in your eye...oww!

[mclund]

[QUOTE=formica;898349]awsome :D is that going to be a divided enclosure? or is the central groove for something else?
QUOTE]

Yes. This is the first divided one we have built.

[sharthun]

Wow! awesome design and build so far!

[Jim Smith]

Fantastic step by step in the process. So far, I think I could duplicate your process for some of my future cages. I would love to see photos of the bending and fitting process as well as the final finishing steps. Thanks ever so much for sharing.

Jim Smith

[LarryS]

Hi Jim

I posted a link to an old build thread here;

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/102361-work-progress.html

it's post # 13


It shows some more of the build process. Feel free to PM me or Matt with any questions, be glad to help!

We have tons of build photos too, not sure if they cover all the steps though.

[psychocircus]

In on this. What are your plans for it?

[mclund]

In on this. What are your plans for it?

This one is for my grandson. He has a pair of chocolate cal kings that will reside in this cage.

[psychocircus]

This one is for my grandson. He has a pair of chocolate cal kings that will reside in this cage.

nice, what are the dimensions going to be?

[mclund]

nice, what are the dimensions going to be?

48Wx24Dx12H

[Mikoh4792]

48Wx24Dx12H

So each one will have 2x2x1?

[mclund]

So each one will have 2x2x1?

Yes, that is correct.

[mclund]

Here is the progress from tonight's work.
27430
Routing the door openings.
27431
material is flipped and prepped for routing door lands.
27432
Routing door lands.
27433
27434
Door lands complete.

[mclund]

LED lights are installed before folding begins.
27435
Track, lens cover and lights are cut to length.
27436
Track is glued in and wires soldered.
27437
completed light assembly.

[mclund]

Now the fun begins. The PVC is heated and folded at the V-grooves.
27438
folding the back up.
27439
Folding the bottom up.
27440
The sides are dropped into place just before the Top is folded down.
27441
As the top comes down in the final fold, the wire is guided into a groove cut into the side so it is out of site.
27442
Lights on!

Still a bit of work to do before this gets put to use. Doors and final assembly are a couple nights of work.

[psychocircus]

looking awesome and professionally done.

[kelzerman]

Very clean looking!

[knox]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics and the write up! Looks like a great cage.

[pdomensis]

do you do these one at a time, or do you have an assembly line going?

[Sublimeballs]

How much does a 4x8 sheet cost and where do you get it?

That cage looks incredible! And done all by hand. I wanna give it a go.

[kelzerman]

How much does a 4x8 sheet cost and where do you get it?

That cage looks incredible! And done all by hand. I wanna give it a go.


I think they were getting it at $75 a sheet.

[mclund]

do you do these one at a time, or do you have an assembly line going?

Most of the cages are single production. The arboreal 2x2 cubes we make 2 at a time. We have been building templates for the last 3 months and are just about at to the point where we can start kicking them out. We can pre-make doors and sides, but the big restraint on mass production would be space. Once you start routing out a sheet you don't want to move it off the work table. This is a hobby for us, we both work demanding jobs and this is really good stress relief.

[mclund]

I think they were getting it at $75 a sheet.

That is correct. Usually the more you buy the cheaper you can buy it.

[LarryS]

Yes that's in the ballpark, we usually buy ten sheets at a time. Prices vary from time to time also. A single 4 x 8 x 1/2" sheet of black PVCX should run in the $85 range. I think the white is 5 to 10 dollars less per sheet.

If tools are an issue, many plastics suppliers will cut the sheets to size for a reasonable fee. You can build a cage using butt joints and screws with sliding glass doors for a very reasonable price.

Edit - oops Matt and I must have been typing at the same time.

[mclund]

Update. Not much progress tonight, but I am committed to document this from start to finish.

27508
The cage is clamped and solvent applied to all joints inside and out.
27509
Acrylic is rough cut and placed in "the door-maker". Hinge holes are being drilled.
27510
Latch holes are being routed.
27512
The door is ready to be routed to size.
27511
The door template for final routing.

[Sublimeballs]

Yes that's in the ballpark, we usually buy ten sheets at a time. Prices vary from time to time also. A single 4 x 8 x 1/2" sheet of black PVCX should run in the $85 range. I think the white is 5 to 10 dollars less per sheet.

If tools are an issue, many plastics suppliers will cut the sheets to size for a reasonable fee. You can build a cage using butt joints and screws with sliding glass doors for a very reasonable price.

Edit - oops Matt and I must have been typing at the same time.

Where can I find a supplier? Are you getting these locally or shipped? I really want to give it a go.

[LarryS]

Where can I find a supplier? Are you getting these locally or shipped? I really want to give it a go.

Not sure where you are located. Here is our supplier.

Farco Plastics Supply Inc. - Locations (http://www.farcoplastics.com/locations.html)

So far we have made the trip and picked up the material ourselves but the shipping rates are very reasonable. I think they were quoting about $50 to deliver 10 sheets. I'm about two hours from their location.

Make sure you post a build thread!

[Sublimeballs]

Not sure where you are located. Here is our supplier.

Farco Plastics Supply Inc. - Locations (http://www.farcoplastics.com/locations.html)

So far we have made the trip and picked up the material ourselves but the shipping rates are very reasonable. I think they were quoting about $50 to deliver 10 sheets. I'm about two hours from their location.

Make sure you post a build thread!

Damn, I wish I still lived in Florida. I'm from boynton beach but I'm in North Carolina now. I'm going to look and see if there is a supplier close to me. If not ill either order it or ask my uncle to scoop it up for me when he comes up next(or better go visit FL myself, and spen sometime in the Everglades).

I definitely will post a build thread; just don't expect anything to this caliber unless I can find some help(hint hint for those in NC, I'll buy beer and steak).

[Terranaut]

You guys are doing fantastic work. Thanks for sharing.

[LarryS]

Damn, I wish I still lived in Florida. I'm from boynton beach but I'm in North Carolina now. I'm going to look and see if there is a supplier close to me. If not ill either order it or ask my uncle to scoop it up for me when he comes up next(or better go visit FL myself, and spen sometime in the Everglades).

I definitely will post a build thread; just don't expect anything to this caliber unless I can find some help(hint hint for those in NC, I'll buy beer and steak).


We haven't purchased from Piedmont but they did give me some decent quotes on materials.

Piedmont Plastics - Plastic Sheet, Plastic Rod, Plastic Tubing - Quote today! (http://www.piedmontplastics.com/locations.aspx)

They have locations in NC.


Thanks Terranaut!

[mclund]

Here are the final steps for completion of the enclosure.
27539
Routing the doors to finished size.
27540
Finished door.
27541
Using a template to drill the hinge holes in the cage.
27542
Hardware
27543
Final assembly

[sharthun]

Wow! very nice! Excellent work!

[mclund]

Here it is. It's still a little dusty. A good cleaning and it is ready for some snakes.

27545
Lights Off!
27544
Lights On!

This has been fun. I think I enjoy building the cages almost as much as keeping the snakes. I hope I didn't bore anyone with this, not everyone is interested in building their own cages.

[psychocircus]

Here it is. It's still a little dusty. A good cleaning and it is ready for some snakes.

27545
Lights Off!
27544
Lights On!

This has been fun. I think I enjoy building the cages almost as much as keeping the snakes. I hope I didn't bore anyone with this, not everyone is interested in building their own cages.

hard to be bored with that end product. I wish I had that kind of talent. Great enclosure

[kelzerman]

Looks great! Nice and clean! Now I want to see it with the snakes in it.

[Tsubaki]

Looks very nice!!! never see anything build like that around here! :D

[EL Ziggy]

Great job.

[mclund]

Finally! The finished cage in place and occupied. My grandson is very proud of his growing collection. Not the best picture, but its worth sharing.


27700

[psychocircus]

Finally! The finished cage in place and occupied. My grandson is very proud of his growing collection. Not the best picture, but its worth sharing.


27700

awesome. very impressive.

[Sublimeballs]

Looks great, I can't wait to give it a go for myself. Tax return is right around the corner I'm excited to start my own. Thanks for the info on a supplier in my area really helpful.