I Give Up....

[nuno]

I tried again today to build an enclosure and everything went well all the pre-drilling ang countersinking and screwing. I pick it up and it collapsed...RRRRRRROOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR.... I feel better now. Please share your horror stories. I give up!!!

[jason h]

are you using partical board screws or wood screws,if your using wood srews try the partical ones they work 110% better.

[Dom]

lol Nuno .. poor guy ... Are u using melanine? is so how thick? Your a big guy lol u can do it!

[ReneeB]

I noticed the same thing as what Jason said about the partical board screws vs wood screws.. mine collapsed the first time too.. then I switched to partical board screws and it's solid now.. [taking it apart when we have to move is gonna be a big pain in the butt as it's 4ft long and the corner of my basement stairs is only 3.9ft wide ]

[Kase]

One thing I use if I'm doing a project by myslef is use a few strips of scrap wood for braces. Just screw one end into each peice and it will hold it in place long enough to get the job done

Kase

[nuno]

I used 5/8 melamine, 2-1/2 wood screws, wood glue no common sence. I needed a hand but did I ask....noooo.

I did a really good job...I tried to pick up a couple of pieces that I screwed together but the way I picked it up made the melamine split.

Jason, thanks for the info and I love that Jungle you took home...WOW.

Dom, I think that the problem is I have more muscle than brains...lol

Dom you think the heat rope would be good way to heat the melamine?

I give up!!! I'll pay the exra few dollars to have them built.

[bryne]

Hello,
My dad builds all my enclosures with melamine and plexiglass fronts. The trick to having it all stay together is to frame it with 1x2 boards on the inside. That way you can use wood screws and they stay tight.
The cages that my dad has built for me are taken on the road when I go to schools and I have never had any problems with them falling apart or the screws getting loose.
If you can tell me where you are at I could tell you if he`d build a cage for you and I can guarantee that it would stay together.

[beth wallbank]

The worst I even did was building a 4 x 2 x 2 beardie enclosure, and upon installing one of the light fixtures and having it all plugged in, I thought I would celebrate with a beer. Upon getting back from the fridge, I grabbed the wire cutters, grabbed the cord where I had to cut it next and cut....wowsers.....didnt think my *** would go through gyproc the way it did.....note to self.....make sure all wiring is unplugged before cutting. Hurts like a bugger

[jwsporty]

Great story Beth, LOL, some days it pays to just stay in bed.

[Alicewave]

I agree with Bryne, frames are key for a good solid design. (Thanks grandpa!)

[Greg West]

Depending on the size of the cage, your layout will also help you with stability. I would build wood cages up to 6' wiithout using braces on the inside. Also make sure you are using lenought screws. for a 2' width, use 3 screws,3' Length use 4 screws, 4' length use 5 or 6 screws. Wood glue will help as well but make sure you leave it to dry before you go and pick it up. Predrilling your holes with a proper sized drill bit will help as well. If the drill bit is too small, you will stretch the hole and possibly split the wood from the inside. Use a drill bit that is too big and you won't have anything to grip to. I use a drill bit that is for #6 screws, and I use #8 screws and don't have too much of a problem. Also make sure you are drilling into the middle edge of the board and not closer to one end. That will make a difference as well.

Nice story Beth. Beer and cage construction don't always mix as I have found out after a couple of mistakes and having to re-order material to do it a second time. I also always seem to electrocute myself with wiring. That or stabbing myself with the fine copper wiring.

Greg
Hope that helps, if not I could always send one out to you (HINT HINT) lol

[Lisa]

we're about to try building our first enclosure, hopefully what we learned with the rack will apply here. Wish us luck.

[Dom]

Ill give u some of brain for some of that muscle lol!

Doing it for the first time is always hard but you'll only learn from you mistakes and then build great ones.. don't give up bro!