Pro-Line Modular Cage

[insignia100]

I finally got my Pro-line modular cage today. Put it together and got it siliconed up. So far I'm on the fence in regards to the quality. On one hand, I'm rather disappointed. The dividers, in my opinion, were NOT worth $40 apiece. For some reason, the cage didn't wan't to go together perfectly with the dividers in place. There is about a 1/8" gap at the bottom of the middle divider, seemingly because the front panel (I can't think of a better term, so I'll post pictures later) was cut wrong. On the other hand, I can't help but think the construction is ingenius, and kudos to ConstrictorsNW for developing a construction method that is super easy to assemble, and seems to be extremely strong.

I think for my next cage purchase I will be looking towards Animal Plastics to see how they compare. Personally, right now, I would only recommend a Pro-Line modular cage as long as you go with a standard model and don't customize it.

[KORBIN5895]

Link please.

[insignia100]

Constrictors Northwest (http://www.constrictorsnw.com/cagessupply/plmodularcages.html)

That what you wanted?

[KORBIN5895]

Sure is! Thanks.

[insignia100]

Okay, here are some photos and a copy of the email I sent to Ed (because I didn't want to retype all the info).

Ed,

I got my cage yesterday and put it together. After I got everything installed (construction was super easy, by the way) and sealed, I noticed a few problems that I'm hoping you have an easy solution for. The first thing I noticed is that the dividers don't seem to be tall enough, or the little panels that go on the front of the dividers are too tall (that's the best I can describe, see the photos). As a result, the middle divider (the other one seems fine) lifted up about 1/8" inch when I installed the panel. I'll note that I made sure the orientation for the dividers were correct based on what was written on them.

The second issue is that the right side of the cage appears to be warped. I've attached a photo showing how it is misshapen. The result of this is that on the top left where the left panel screws into the top front panel, there is about a 1/16" gap. Not only that, but there is about a 1/8" gap between the right side of the right door and the right panel (picture also included).

It may just be that I assembled something incorrectly, however I followed the instructions on your website exactly, so I'm a bit puzzled.

Thanks,

If anyone has some recommendations I would gladly listen to them. I'd hate to discover that it was a manufacturing problem (especially since I just waited about 2 months for it).

[Gungirl]

I saw a bunch of these up for sale at the expo I went to this past weekend. I noticed that about 1/2 of them had minor issues like the ones you mention here. I didn't take a lot of time to look at them seeing as we build all our own though.

[Norm66]

The unevenly routed seams in the detail pic make me wonder about the quality of the entire unit. Attention to detail is generally a good indicator of overall quality and those cuts should have been routed evenly and sanded smooth to remove the excess material. I'd be disappointed.

Still, from a distance it looks like a pretty cool cage.

[insignia100]

It is a really cool cage, but like you I would have expected a bit higher quality, especially considering the $80 extra for the dividers (in retrospect... WOW, that's overpriced).

[KORBIN5895]

Honestly I see the imperfections and am not even interested in them any more. What are the inside dimensions?

[insignia100]

Total dimensions are 48"x24"x14". The right cage is 24"x24"x14", and the other two are 12"x24"x14". Subtract a half an inch or so from each of those measurements to account for the thickness of the walls and you have an estimate of the inside dimensions.

[insignia100]

Alright, good news! My problems are all due to where I have the cage sitting. Since it is sitting on a dresser, only the sides are being supported... the front and back are not. This is causing the gap seen at the corner of the cage door. Shimming one of the corners fixed that, as well as the "warped" right side panel.

Also, the gap at the divider is due to the center sagging, which would explain why only the center divider has a gap (that's where it sags the most). If I could support all sides that would resolve.

Overall, I am VERY satisfied with this cage now that I've gotten the issues worked out.

A+++++

[Norm66]

I'm glad you got it fixed up. Did you figure it out or did the guy e-mail you back?

But the rough cuts are still a turn-off for me. Sorry to be negative about your new cage. ;)

[Gungirl]

I'm glad you got it fixed up. Did you figure it out or did the guy e-mail you back?

But the rough cuts are still a turn-off for me. Sorry to be negative about your new cage. ;)

The rough cuts on a few that I saw at the expo where awful. If they would clean up the cuts the cages would look 100% better IMO.

Glad you fixed the issues you had. Hope the cage works out good for you!

[insignia100]

I'm glad you got it fixed up. Did you figure it out or did the guy e-mail you back?

But the rough cuts are still a turn-off for me. Sorry to be negative about your new cage. ;)

Ed got back to me, and as soon as I read his email I knew exactly what went wrong.

I understand the concern about the rough edges, but all it will take is a few passes with some sandpaper. Honestly, its FAR more noticeable in the photo than in person, I guess because the flash makes them stand out more. I think its more than reasonable given that Boaphiles would have cost me probably $100 more for a similar unit.