Framing/braces or just bolt the plywood together?

[LarryS]

Kelzerman mentioned type 1 PVC.

Gonna Google it, must be something different.

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by mclund

That's a bit pricey. Larry and I can buy it for 75.00 a sheet if we order 10 sheets at a time. Even buying a single sheet is less than 100. It's still more than plywood, but worth the extra IMO.


Matt

Who is your local distributor? What kind of pvc are you guys using? I have never heard of PVCX.

I am going through my local distributor and for a 4'x8'x1/2" sheet of Type 1 he is charging 163. I am assuming there is a major grade/spec difference. It is sabics plastic in Madison heights Michigan.

[LarryS]

We haven't purchased from them but I've had good quotes on materials.

Piedmont Plastics - Plastic Sheet, Plastic Rod, Plastic Tubing - Quote today!

[mclund]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Kelzerman mentioned type 1 PVC.

Gonna Google it, must be something different.

Oops I missed that. Type 1 is stronger. PVCX is what we are using. So I have to ask Kelzerman, What made you decide on type 1?

Matt

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by mclund

Oops I missed that. Type 1 is stronger. PVCX is what we are using. So I have to ask Kelzerman, What made you decide on type 1?

Matt

I went with Type 1 because it more more impact, chemical, and corrosive resistance. We do use PVCX here at the shop. I have never heard it called that. Here it is known as sintra. PVCX is actually more like an expanded foam core. I also noticed that it does not hold up to impact very well. And actually PVCX is lacking Polyvinyl Chloride. Unless we are not talking of the same thing.

[formica]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

I went with Type 1 because it more more impact, chemical, and corrosive resistance. We do use PVCX here at the shop. I have never heard it called that. Here it is known as sintra. PVCX is actually more like an expanded foam core. I also noticed that it does not hold up to impact very well. And actually PVCX is lacking Polyvinyl Chloride. Unless we are not talking of the same thing.

Sintra is PVCX, Polyvinyl Chloride = PVC, its still PVC, just expanded

Yep standard PVC is different to expanded PVC

the expanded PVC I use (PALRAM) will take a heavy mallet blow without any damage, not a very scientific way to describing it admittedly lol

[mclund]

The expanded PVC is not solid, but it has held up well for all our applications. I called our supplier and they quoted me 200. on the type 1, so 163. is a very good price. I would have to imagine never having worked with it, that the type 1 is as heavy as plywood as it is solid PVC.

Celtek is what we are currently using.

Matt

[mclund]

Alexa-Sorry for hijacking your thread. I hope this was as educational for you as it was for me.

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by mclund

The expanded PVC is not solid, but it has held up well for all our applications. I called our supplier and they quoted me 200. on the type 1, so 163. is a very good price. I would have to imagine that the type 1 is as heavy as plywood as it is solid PVC. I think the PVCX may be a trade name from one of the manufacturers.

I am looking for a more structurally sound application. With the type 1 I wont have as much deflection then the expanded pvc. Another plus is that it can be drilled and tapped. Which I doubt I would need to do.

Yes type 1 at 1/2" thick is 3.8 lb/ft2 and your typical 3/4" pine plywood is 1.8 lb/ft2.

Would you be comfortable standing on one of your cages? And do you house any large constrictors in a 6'-8' cage without worries?

[mclund]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

I am looking for a more structurally sound application. With the type 1 I wont have as much deflection then the expanded pvc. Another plus is that it can be drilled and tapped. Which I doubt I would need to do.

Yes type 1 at 1/2" thick is 3.8 lb/ft2 and your typical 3/4" pine plywood is 1.8 lb/ft2.

Would you be comfortable standing on one of your cages? And do you house any large constrictors in a 6'-8' cage without worries?

I have to admit, I wouldn't want to stand on them, but I have kept a couple 6' boas in them with confidence. I wasn't being critical, sorry if I came off that way. I was just inquiring.

Matt

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by mclund

I have to admit, I wouldn't want to stand on them, but I have kept a couple 6' boas in them with confidence. I wasn't being critical, sorry if I came off that way. I was just inquiring.

Matt

Oh no not at all. I hope I didn't come off as a smart***. The particular one I am going to be building will be a permanent home for my female retic which as of right now is a baby.

I might take and build her a 4' enclosure out of the expanded pvc after hearing you.

I do want her final enclosure to be structurally sound. So, I will be using Type 1 on that. I can not have her getting out at that size.

Thanks for all the info!

[formica]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

Yes type 1 at 1/2" thick is 3.8 lb/ft2 and your typical 3/4" pine plywood is 1.8 lb/ft2.

Would you be comfortable standing on one of your cages? And do you house any large constrictors in a 6'-8' cage without worries?

wow thats heavy stuff! interested to see how it comes out! weight is a significant factor in deflection, how rigid is it/what force can it withstand? thats how you will no for sure that it wont bend...

I would be willing to stand on a 2x1.2x1.2 made from PVCX, I would not stand on top of a 4x2x2 unless it was reinforced with Type6 profiles, but then again I would not stand on top of a Plywood, MDF or OSB unit made with the same thickness material

the PVCX that I use, is comparable in strength to MDF

[LarryS]

Placing weight on top of the cage is not going to test the deflection of the material toward the center of the panel unless you stood with your feet together in the center. I'd have no problem standing on any of the above mentioned cages with my feet over the vertical sides.

If these large snakes are able to expand their coils against the sides of the cage then I think the size of the enclosure would be a huge factor as well no?

I would be most concerned with the door, and the hardware that is used to attach it to the cage body. I sure as heck wouldn't use glass.

Is there instance of these guys breaking cages by expanding?

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Placing weight on top of the cage is not going to test the deflection of the material toward the center of the panel unless you stood with your feet together in the center. I'd have no problem standing on any of the above mentioned cages with my feet over the vertical sides.

If these large snakes are able to expand their coils against the sides of the cage then I think the size of the enclosure would be a huge factor as well no?

I would be most concerned with the door, and the hardware that is used to attach it to the cage body. I sure as heck wouldn't use glass.

Is there instance of these guys breaking cages by expanding?

That's what I said. I would be worried about the size of the enclosure. A larger enclosure with expanded PVC would in my mind be very flimsy. I agree the door and hardware has been one of my biggest concerns. I would have no problem using 3/8" tempered glass. It is some strong stuff. On the surface of course. Tempered glass's weakness is the edges.

I am not sure if there has been instances, but think of the strength these constrictors have. Expanded PVC is not structurally sound. It has tremendous deflection. Think of the flex in a 4'x8' sheet. I would not take a chance with a large constrictor. Would be a nice test though if we could do this in a controlled environment.

For a smaller snake and a smaller cage I won't argue with you. With a front frame I'm sure it would hold up.

As far as standing with your feet together or over the side; I would want to test at its weakest point. Which would be the center. That is where you would get your most deflection. I'm not worried about testing this theory on strongest part of the cage.

Formica, I will get the specs on it, but I know it is substituted for solid aluminum.

[KORBIN5895]

Snakes and incredibly strong when they constrict their muscles. Not so much when they stretch them.