New cage..... or at least the start of it.

[Ryan23]

I started building a new cage tonight and it is a totally different design for me, not to mention a much higher difficulty level than some of the other "boxes" I have built, LOL!!!

This cages overall dimensions are 5'Lx2'Dx3'H and I am using a combination of 1/2" plywood and one piece of 5/8 melamine for extra strength on the floor along with it's moisture resistance. I am far from done with this one but it's a good start as I will be adding two framed & hanging glass doors as I felt a nearly five foot long piece of glass wood be way too heavy.





I will be drilling two three inch holes in the melamine floor for access to the "underground" rubbermaid hides which are positioned at each end. I will also be making a hinged door to provide access to the rubbermaids the will swing down.



I added some 1"x4"'s in the front and back to give extra strength and stop any sag of the 1/2" plywood roof. The piece on the front will also act as a stop for the doors as well as a place to latch them. I notched two pieces into the melamine so the 1"x4"'s sit flush with the edge of the cage.



I was a little worried about using the 1/2" plywood due to strength issues but it turned out pretty solid. Once I install the top and bottom dams that will each be about six inches as well as the back piece of pegboard I don't think I'll have any issues at all. Using the 1/2" has also made this cage about half the weight of what a melamine cage would have been.

It's definately a work in progress but so far I'm very happy with it!!!