New Build

[kelzerman]

Very clean looking!

[knox]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics and the write up! Looks like a great cage.

[pdomensis]

do you do these one at a time, or do you have an assembly line going?

[mclund]

Originally Posted by pdomensis

do you do these one at a time, or do you have an assembly line going?

Most of the cages are single production. The arboreal 2x2 cubes we make 2 at a time. We have been building templates for the last 3 months and are just about at to the point where we can start kicking them out. We can pre-make doors and sides, but the big restraint on mass production would be space. Once you start routing out a sheet you don't want to move it off the work table. This is a hobby for us, we both work demanding jobs and this is really good stress relief.

[Sublimeballs]

How much does a 4x8 sheet cost and where do you get it?

That cage looks incredible! And done all by hand. I wanna give it a go.

[kelzerman]

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

How much does a 4x8 sheet cost and where do you get it?

That cage looks incredible! And done all by hand. I wanna give it a go.

I think they were getting it at $75 a sheet.

[mclund]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

I think they were getting it at $75 a sheet.

That is correct. Usually the more you buy the cheaper you can buy it.

[LarryS]

Yes that's in the ballpark, we usually buy ten sheets at a time. Prices vary from time to time also. A single 4 x 8 x 1/2" sheet of black PVCX should run in the $85 range. I think the white is 5 to 10 dollars less per sheet.

If tools are an issue, many plastics suppliers will cut the sheets to size for a reasonable fee. You can build a cage using butt joints and screws with sliding glass doors for a very reasonable price.

Edit - oops Matt and I must have been typing at the same time.

[mclund]

Update. Not much progress tonight, but I am committed to document this from start to finish.

2014-01-28 17.33.20.jpg
The cage is clamped and solvent applied to all joints inside and out.
2014-01-28 18.59.26.jpg
Acrylic is rough cut and placed in "the door-maker". Hinge holes are being drilled.
2014-01-28 19.00.48.jpg
Latch holes are being routed.
2014-01-28 18.58.55.jpg
The door is ready to be routed to size.
2014-01-28 19.53.48.jpg
The door template for final routing.

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Yes that's in the ballpark, we usually buy ten sheets at a time. Prices vary from time to time also. A single 4 x 8 x 1/2" sheet of black PVCX should run in the $85 range. I think the white is 5 to 10 dollars less per sheet.

If tools are an issue, many plastics suppliers will cut the sheets to size for a reasonable fee. You can build a cage using butt joints and screws with sliding glass doors for a very reasonable price.

Edit - oops Matt and I must have been typing at the same time.

Where can I find a supplier? Are you getting these locally or shipped? I really want to give it a go.

[LarryS]

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

Where can I find a supplier? Are you getting these locally or shipped? I really want to give it a go.

Not sure where you are located. Here is our supplier.

Farco Plastics Supply Inc. - Locations

So far we have made the trip and picked up the material ourselves but the shipping rates are very reasonable. I think they were quoting about $50 to deliver 10 sheets. I'm about two hours from their location.

Make sure you post a build thread!

[Sublimeballs]

Originally Posted by LarryS

Not sure where you are located. Here is our supplier.

Farco Plastics Supply Inc. - Locations

So far we have made the trip and picked up the material ourselves but the shipping rates are very reasonable. I think they were quoting about $50 to deliver 10 sheets. I'm about two hours from their location.

Make sure you post a build thread!

Damn, I wish I still lived in Florida. I'm from boynton beach but I'm in North Carolina now. I'm going to look and see if there is a supplier close to me. If not ill either order it or ask my uncle to scoop it up for me when he comes up next(or better go visit FL myself, and spen sometime in the Everglades).

I definitely will post a build thread; just don't expect anything to this caliber unless I can find some help(hint hint for those in NC, I'll buy beer and steak).

[LarryS]

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

Damn, I wish I still lived in Florida. I'm from boynton beach but I'm in North Carolina now. I'm going to look and see if there is a supplier close to me. If not ill either order it or ask my uncle to scoop it up for me when he comes up next(or better go visit FL myself, and spen sometime in the Everglades).

I definitely will post a build thread; just don't expect anything to this caliber unless I can find some help(hint hint for those in NC, I'll buy beer and steak).

We haven't purchased from Piedmont but they did give me some decent quotes on materials.

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

They have locations in NC.


Thanks Terranaut!

[Terranaut]

You guys are doing fantastic work. Thanks for sharing.

[Tsubaki]

Looks very nice!!! never see anything build like that around here!