Update on custom BCI enclosure...

[J.Monaghen]

In an effort to provide a custom enclosure for my BCI female, I am about 1/2 done. I have everything together, and the external is sanded, 4 runs, down to 240 grit. The inside is tomorrrow, and will be ready for staining and Polycrylic this weekend. Tracks and 1/4" Lexan worked out great, and is ready to go.

There is 5.25" inches underneath the enclosure, in which the UTH are attached. They are elevated-mounted by 1/8", to allow airflow between wood and element. Internally, there is 24' of white rope light, which will be on timer. A radiant heat panel above will provide added heat-insurance for ambient temps on warm side, and that will be internall-roof mounted.

The inside will be tile with a terra cotta tile and silicone adhesive, with substrate also.

Enclosure should be a slight bronze-cedar color when stained, and I will post back this weekend with more photos.

Here are some pics, let me know what you think.

http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/step2_1.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/step2_2.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/step2_3.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/step2_4.jpg

Joe

[Them and Us]

cool cool very nice

[Dom]

very impresive..

Post an update once u have one.

[Greg West]

Nice cage. Are you really going to need 24' of rope light? Why so much? Post pics when you are done. You snake should love it.

Greg

[Lisa]

Looks pretty good, going to make more to stack?

[Edwin]

Nice!

[dvs]

That's really nice...... I like it allot, I want something very similar to that, more like 3 similar to that actually. How much did it cost to have the Lexan done??? and is that 1/2" wood you used? and is it heavy??? so for so many questions... I just really like you enclosure and Im going to building a few soon, can't wait to see when you done.

[J.Monaghen]

dvs, let me see if I can help you out with some info...

All of the wood is B grade plywood. Just make sure the sheets are straight, and the world is alot nicer. It is 5/8" plywood. I don't know if I will say its heavy, but I can't carry the entire enclosure by myself(although its probably because its dimensions are awkwardly large). It is very solid wood. I will leave it at that. Also used were 1x2's for support bracing, and to make the construction as clean as I could. And some 8' trim pieces were used for the front fascia. All together, all wood supplies cost $39.00 total.

The Lexan was $15.00 for both doors. But that was a great deal, through a supplier here at work. He cut is for me also. (Lexan is a PITA to cut!)

The vents I got used, but can be found cheap at HomeDepot.

The tracks were $11.00 for the top/bottom set.

The door handles and lock were $15.00 total.

The most expensive part, by far, has been the Stain and the Polycrylic coating. That was like $59.00. And the 240 grit sandpaper for another $3.00. And silicone sealent for the seams.

All in all, it was about $100 for all supplies. And I enjoyed building this one to my needs, so it was a great investment. Nails and wood glue were in the shop already.

When finished it will be a piece of furniture as well as an enclosure for Delilah. Good luck,
joe

p.s. what part of Chicago are you from? I am originally from the Irving Park/Damen/Lincoln area. Was born and raised in Chicago, and finally moved down to Florida in 97. Cold up there huh?:D

[dvs]

Wow... thanks for saving me the time of asking more questions. Just came back from lunch and stopped in at an acrylic dealer accross the street.... freak'in guy quoted me 80 bucks for the doors (YEAH... O.k.) now Im thinking maybe glass will do just fine, I just liked the idea of the streagth of the lexan over glass. And just to get this straight, Lexan and Plexiglass are 2 different things right??? And lexan is much stronger and scratch resistant right? just asking cuzz I know plexiglass stratches very easily and gets foggy pretty easily too (don't want that).

Oh yeah, I was born raised in Chicago too.... pretty much all over but mainly on the west side near Humbolt park area ( kinda ruff area) now I live out in the burbs and only work in Chicago. Wheater's actually pretty decent right now... Low 40's, not to bad.

Ahhhh.... Florida...... yes that would be nice, lucky dog :rolleyes:

[J.Monaghen]

Actually, Lexan® and plexiglass are two different things. Lexan® is a stronger, and longer lasting. It tends to hold up longer, without scratching as easy. Just my opinion, though.

Plexi is alot cheaper, and you can get good size sheets of it from Ace Hardware, and I think they still cut it there. Otherwise, HomeDepot and Lowes carries it, and you might be able to bribe one of the glass cutters to trim it to size.

Glass is the alternative. It is cheaper, long lasting, and holds up to cleaners without dulling and scratching.

Let me know if you need any other help. I will post some photos of it in later stages this weekend.

Joe

[dvs]

Do you think I can get away with using 1/2" plywood??? I would still put in the corner strips for support of coarse.... but I'd like to limit it's weight as much as possible if I can. I'll prolly be putting 2 of these together and stacking one over the other... think the bottom one will support the upper ones weight if made out of 1/2"???? Thanks allot.

[J.Monaghen]

As long as they are made as 2 separate enclosures, I think the disassociated weight distribution will be O.K. 1/2" plywood will be fine also, as long as you do support the enclosure with some form of framing. Simple framing is all that is needed.

If you were to built one solid standing unit, sectioned off, then I would suggest crossbracing, and floor bracing, to help eleviate the weight from the tall unit.

Like I said earlier, it isn't super heavy, it is just awkward to lift because of the dimensions. Two people can carry this around quite easily.

joe