Cages we made last weekend

[Lisa]

Katey and I built these last weekend. There is 4 of them in total but the 4th is still in the van.

The bottoms are routed out for heat pads (11X17).

http://snakes.geekgrrl.ca/snakes/customcage1.jpg

[marisa]

Those look really nice. I like simple, white, clean looking enclosures...that's a good job!.

Marisa

[Tim and Julie B]

Those look great! How much did that set you back? I want to make a huge custom cage for my Gehyra vorax, but it needs to be tall with a central divider because they have to be housed seperate, and I'm having a heck of a time trying to come up with the "perfect" cage. Only the best will do!:D

[Kase]

Very nice cages Lisa... Was it hard to router the bottoms?

[Lisa]

Wasn't hard to do the routering. Katey made this frame thingy that made it easy to stay in the the right area. We can do different sizes too. The ones in the pic are 4X2X1. Still have to do the track for the doors on a couple of them, home depot ran out.

[Tim_Cranwill]

You guys and your projects! :D Do you want to come over and help me build an addition to may rack? ;) I'll buy the beer!

[Tim and Julie B]

Shop at CANADIAN STORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like Rona or Home or something else Canadian!!!!!! Sorry had to say that. Those cages are sweet! You two are sure crafty. Are you self taught or did you take some classes? So far you've shown some good carpendry and electrical skills. What's next? Welding some racks?:D Tim.

[Lisa]

We tried rona, they didn't have what we needed.

Katey had woodshop in highschool. She showed me how to do everything.

[Tim and Julie B]

I was just bugging :medtoothy I just like to shop "Canadian" that's all.

That must have been one heck of a highschool wood shop!:D All we learned how to do was build a bunch of crap!:D

[stormyva]

Very nice cages!

[katey]

Originally posted by cranwill
You guys and your projects! :D Do you want to come over and help me build an addition to may rack? ;) I'll buy the beer!

Sorry I hate beer, tho if you live somewhere warm ask me come january or so :)

[boa]

nice work lisa the cages look great.

[dvs]

really nice.....

does anyone know what kind of blade would be best for cutting melamine? like how many teeth???

I need to make about 5 simalar to those..... oh and what would be the best length to use for screws???

Thanks

[dvs]

sorry.... one more question,

do you put anything over the vents on the inside?

[katey]

Originally posted by dvs
really nice.....

does anyone know what kind of blade would be best for cutting melamine? like how many teeth???

I need to make about 5 simalar to those..... oh and what would be the best length to use for screws???

Thanks

I just use a good qulaity carbide tipped blade, as to screws for the 3/4 melamine I use #10 1.5" wood screws

katey

[Lisa]

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. As for coming over and making enclosures for people we have no problem with making enclosures for people, even different sizes and colours.

DVS: as for the inside of the enclosure that gets covered depending on what's being put in the cage.

[lakeridgekennel]

where did you put the heat tape

[Lisa]

Originally posted by lakeridgekennel
where did you put the heat tape

We routered out a section at one end of the bottom underneath. due to heat tapes status in canada we actually routered out a spot for an 11X17 heatwave heat pad.

[Invictus]

I've been told by a lot of people that melamine won't hold a screw at all, and that it's best to use the glue/dowell method. Have you had any problems with cage stability as a result of using wood screws in melamine? Are you able to drill the screws into the side of a melamine sheet?

[Alan311]

Nice Cages! wish i could make some like that to bad im not a good carpender

[Linds]

Lisa and Katey,
Great job, they look very nice! The handles are a neat idea, melamine is so heavy :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Invictus
I've been told by a lot of people that melamine won't hold a screw at all, and that it's best to use the glue/dowell method. Have you had any problems with cage stability as a result of using wood screws in melamine? Are you able to drill the screws into the side of a melamine sheet?

I have one rack and one larger enclosure built out of melamine, and all are stucturally strong. Glue and screw method works fine with melamine, but you need to use drywall screws (they have wider threads) and make sure you pre-drill all your holes first ;)