Buy or build?

[trailblazer295]

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

You can also use drop-down doors with three hinges at the bottom and three latches at the top. You can see some photos of what I'm talking about here.Constrictors Northwest

I've been using these enclosures (in black) for about four years and really like them. The doors are secure provided close them; (don't ask me how I know that), and his prices include shipping. It took me about 30-45 minutes to assemble each cage which included adding some more ventilation holes and adding fluorescent lighting. Just another option to consider...

Does he ship to Canada though?

[chairman]

These are the perches I use in my AP cages for my carpets, my installation is similar to what you want to do. My plastic cages have held the perches quite well, I think that my brackets are only held in place with 3-4 short drywall screws installed from the outside. (I did use one screw per branch to keep them from rotating.)

[trailblazer295]

Thanks for the idea. That is a cool method of suspending a branch . It would be pretty easy for me to secure a length of wood inside a PVC cage and notch it to hold branches like a cradle. Even screw the branch into the wood holders just have to use stainless steel to avoid rust. Definitely a good idea for sure. Probably stick with a 1/2"PVC to be safe.

[Captain837]

Originally Posted by trailblazer295

How hard/easy are the doors? That is the part I'm most concerned about. The framing, cutting, cutting vent holes isn't the hard part. I plan to build next summer so I can air it out easily. As this is a carpet I was thinking of sliding glass doors. But I don't know how easy or difficult the cutting an opening and installing tracks etc is.

My buddy and I just finished 6 - 48"x 20" x 12" cages out of melamine. We used aluminum tracks and sliding doors. We built the cages 3 at a time about 4 months apart. I will say I really prefer sliders however quality aluminum tracks are pricey and the prices fluctuate a lot for some reason. All said and done I really did not save much money building as opposed to buying pre made. After hardware, wood, glass, rhp's and thermostats I am somewhere between 1300 and 1600 for all 6 cages.
The only real benefits to building is I got them exactly how I wanted them and I had a good excuse to hang out with my buddy for a few days.
As for the perches, I would recommend using interior mounts (like a shower rod holder) as opposed to drilling through. Especially if you use wood, you want as few places as possible for moisture to go.

[trailblazer295]

I don't have a table saw so the door opening and track is my biggest issue. The rest I'm okay with. I'm on the fence still,one day I lean one way then the other.

[toddnbecka]

After assembling 6 new AP enclosures in less time than I spent painting the plywood for the 3 I have built (still have 2 to finish) I'm now solidly on the "buy" side, lol.

[trailblazer295]

Lol I wouldn't have to build pvc at all. Just pick up a ready made one. Plug in the light and install my heater. Keep going back and forth on trying to build one or not.