Idea for first DIY cage

DClark747 · 06-12-13, 03:39 PM

Alright, guys, someone was asking me about this on Facebook, and I thought I'd post it there to see what you guys thought. I've never done any wood work, but I have worked at a hardware store, so I know my way around a workshop. What I'm about to post is just a copy and paste from what I sent to the person that I was talking to. Let me know what you guys think, because it's pretty likely that I have no idea what I'm doing.

"I haven't slept in 40 hours or so, but I'll try to explain.
I want to build a 4'x2'x1' cage out of melamine. This ends up being a nearly 60 gallon tank, which is pretty great. I'm going to build it, I think as a hinge-top, maybe with a streamlined piano hinge, or maybe several utility hinges, like the old toy boxes. I think that I'm going to cut out an area on the front so that I can put in plexiglass for viewing. Plexiglass is an acrylic so due to the light it'll stain, but not for several years, and I can just pop it out and slide a new sheet of plexiglass in. I'm going to cut out an area on the top and sides (or top and back) for ventilation, as well as heat transfer. I was going to build a removable divider into the middle of it, but I don't plan on keeping a baby in there, so a divider is unnecessary."

bigsnakegirl785 · 06-12-13, 03:54 PM

I don't know about making the top the point of entry. It would make it difficult to clean and get to the animals, and their care could wither because of it. Make the front either sliding glass/plexiglass etc., or do the front hinged. Unless you can think of a better way to do it, but I'm betting the front will be the best point of entry.

What are you keeping in it?

DClark747 · 06-12-13, 04:00 PM

I don't actually own him yet. Went to a local breeder today and someone surrendered their young adult ball python to her.

I do agree with the front being the best point of entry, but I have no idea how to do that without the substrate going out all over the ground. However, I could try to build a divider of some sort, but I don't really know how to implement that. With it being my first cage, I'm not too big on the idea of sliding glass doors (and possibly wasting my money if I break them or something)

Again, awake for a long time and I don't know if any of what I'm saying is making a whole lot of sense. With two jobs at completely different times of the day, my hours get pretty messed up sometimes.

bigsnakegirl785 · 06-12-13, 04:07 PM

If you don't want to make it sliding, then you could make the top swing up, and lock in place with a chain, or whatever works for you. If you want to make the divider removable, maybe drill some holes in the side of the enclosure and the divider, to insert and remove pegs? I'm not sure if it would work, but you could try. Either that or make it permanent. You'd just have to use shovel up the bedding. If it's permanent, just put screws in the ends and along the bottom to hold it in place.

Starbuck · 06-12-13, 07:01 PM

build a 2 inch litter dam along the front, and the front panel hinges (up or down), while the substrate stays contained by the litter dams?
You could use the same idea with a sliding dorr (litter dam), this gives you room for the bottom 'track' or the sliding door to fit.

One idea i have toyed with lately is buying a pre-made cabinet (which has all 5 sides solid, but a front opening door), and then playing with the front side to get a viewing window, wither hinged or sliding. This is only because i dont have the tools (saws, routers, etc) to build my own 'box'

smy_749 · 06-12-13, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

build a 2 inch litter dam along the front, and the front panel hinges (up or down), while the substrate stays contained by the litter dams?
You could use the same idea with a sliding dorr (litter dam), this gives you room for the bottom 'track' or the sliding door to fit.

One idea i have toyed with lately is buying a pre-made cabinet (which has all 5 sides solid, but a front opening door), and then playing with the front side to get a viewing window, wither hinged or sliding. This is only because i dont have the tools (saws, routers, etc) to build my own 'box'

And buying a cabinet will actually look nice (if your not experienced in wood work it will look pretty hideous in your home)

franks · 06-12-13, 07:23 PM

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Front opening is not difficult. You can just cut 1/8" channels into some 1x and slip the acrylic into them.
Melamine is horrible for humidity environments. I can write up a long list of why I do not like working with it, one of which is because it is made with formaldehyde and other chemicals. I think it would be easier for you, nicer looking, and even cheaper to get cabinet grade plywood. By my a 5/8" sheet is around $30.

Danimal · 06-13-13, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DClark747

Alright, guys, someone was asking me about this on Facebook, and I thought I'd post it there to see what you guys thought. I've never done any wood work, but I have worked at a hardware store, so I know my way around a workshop. What I'm about to post is just a copy and paste from what I sent to the person that I was talking to. Let me know what you guys think, because it's pretty likely that I have no idea what I'm doing.

"I haven't slept in 40 hours or so, but I'll try to explain.
I want to build a 4'x2'x1' cage out of melamine. This ends up being a nearly 60 gallon tank, which is pretty great. I'm going to build it, I think as a hinge-top, maybe with a streamlined piano hinge, or maybe several utility hinges, like the old toy boxes. I think that I'm going to cut out an area on the front so that I can put in plexiglass for viewing. Plexiglass is an acrylic so due to the light it'll stain, but not for several years, and I can just pop it out and slide a new sheet of plexiglass in. I'm going to cut out an area on the top and sides (or top and back) for ventilation, as well as heat transfer. I was going to build a removable divider into the middle of it, but I don't plan on keeping a baby in there, so a divider is unnecessary."

A box is pretty easy to build especially out of 3/4 material. Here are a couple of tips for you. Because you don't do wood working, and may not have the appropriate saws to make it easy, designing your cage around project panels can make it quick. In the drawing below I spec'ed it out like you said, 4 x 2 x 1, but if you want to go for a minimum of cuts you could do this... 2 - 3/4 - 24 x 48 plywood (precut panels) , 1 - 1 x 12 x 8' ,
1- 1 x 2 x 10' , 1- 1 x 4 x 4' ( you may need to get a 6' pc if you can't find a 4') , 2 or 3 hinges and a piece of plexi.

smy_749 · 06-13-13, 09:51 AM

Thats a nice diagram Danimal, been looking for something like this. Do you have an idea of total costs?

rocknhorse76 · 06-13-13, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Thats a nice diagram Danimal, been looking for something like this. Do you have an idea of total costs?

I agree! I'd also like to know the approximate cost.

Danimal · 06-13-13, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknhorse76

I agree! I'd also like to know the approximate cost.

Not too much.

DClark747 · 06-14-13, 04:18 PM

Whenever I actually build mine, I'll post my plans. My father-in-law is a carpenter, so he should be able to help me quite a bit with it.

Danimal · 06-14-13, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DClark747

Whenever I actually build mine, I'll post my plans. My father-in-law is a carpenter, so he should be able to help me quite a bit with it.

aww hell, you got it made then, can't wait to see it.