Am I On The Right Track?

[LarryS]

You know I have seen acrylic warp. But we have almost 100 acrylic doors in service between my buddy's collection and the ones we have built and not one problem with this. Many of them are over 8 years old.

We use only 1/4" acrylic but I have seen 1/8" used with no problems as well. I think it is due to the door being held captive by the hardware or guides.

[kelzerman]

Yes your right if you have the hardware placed correctly or it's in a track it shouldn't warp. Depends on the quality of the acrylic also. If it's cast or extruded... I'm worried about this upper corners. But only time will tell.

[LarryS]

I have used both cast and extruded with no warping problems. I use nothing but cast now though.

I think extruded would be more likely to warp.

[kelzerman]

I would have to agree on the extruded. I work with a lot of extruded at work because the thickness doesn't vary as much as the cast. Cast is all over the place. Is the 1/8" doors you use in a track?

[LarryS]

I use all 1/4"

A friend of mine has several cages using 1/8" in tracks with no problems. I agree the tracks probably keep it straight.

I'm betting though that the 1/8" will do ok with hinges and latches.

[Brett943]

Originally Posted by kelzerman

Are the hinges riveted? How much flex is on the end of that door? Can you pry it open? I only ask because acrylic bends. And almost positively will start to warp in time. That's a given and there isn't much you can do to prevent that.

The hinges are drilled then bolted. I placed them so that the door cannot be pried open on either side or the top.

[Brett943]

It is 1/4" acrylic as well and if warping occurs then I will correct it as needed. It won't happen over night so not too worried.

[Brett943]

Well I didn't move my boa into that enclosure as it was a bit big and ugly for my girlfriends house but I have since been busy converting an old tv stand into and enclosure that is 30" long at the longest and 20" or so at the back by 16" deep. I used a radiant heat panel and a uth in it. Tonight I just finished building my rack/shelf using 4" heat tape. This can hold three 32qt sterilite tubs or six 15qt sterilite tubs or nine 6qt sterilite tubs or any combination of those. Here are some cell phone pics (the tv stamd is not an up to date pic it is just of the stand before I modified it). I left the top open so I could put a higher tub up there if I acquire a semi arboreal or arboreal snake. Looked at some Irian Jaya Jag carpet python babies today and will likely pick one up in the next few days

[Brett943]

Semi arboreal tubs. May need to add more dowel and plants.