Building enclosure, need help! (newbie)

[Solid Snake]

Hey i just thought about building my own cage for my ball python since its so nice and warm outside i could build it in my back yard and then place it in my bed room after.

I was wondering if someone could give me detailed instructions on creating a cheap and easy to clean enclosure for an adult ball python.

thanks alot in advance..

[asphyxia]

1 See my pictures
2 http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/sh...t=1&thecat=998

Alter it as you see fit Plans courtisy of Big MIke

Brian

[Solid Snake]

cool, but what kind of wood would i use. Whats the cheapest and holds humidity without mold?

How much $$?(can)

i'm an OK builder not that great, i just have experience in School thats all.

[geckoguy157]

melimine i find is the best wood i get a sheet of it(4feet by 8 feet) its 5/8 of an inch thick and its 24 dollars its 2 sided so you still have a nice looking cage

[pandorasBox]

i am going to have to go against the grain on this on. i have used melimine in the past 3 cages i have made and i hate them all. they don't look like they belong, all that plain white, ready to soak up any water that touchs an unsealed seam wood. plus heavy as all hell so imagine making something thats stackable and having to lift that last cage above 5 feet. i am in the process of building 2 new cages that are hopefully gonna be amazing and i have done all too much research and i have decided to go with plywood. at first i didnt think it would hold up or would look all that great, plus it costs double melimine. since i have started i found out it holds just as good plus half the wieght of melamine and three coats of stain and 2 coats of varnish and i can almost see myself. if you are planning on making only one cage for your animal for the rest of its life go with something like plywood imo.
just a .02 suggestion

[dvs]

Im looking to build some cages myself...... thought I was going to use melamine too untill I went to go buy it... I knew the stuff was heavy but damn.... Im not so sure what Im going to use now I wanted to skip all the sanding, staining and sealing.

This is crappy!!!!

[pandorasBox]

honestly for the amount of work i have had to put into these enclosures i feel damn good about it. i know when they are done i am the one who put the time and effort into my animals home and i know that it is the best enclosure i could possible give for them. i can't wait to see them complete because the amount of pride i have already and i am not even finiished yet (hopefully this weekend) will be incredible. there is nothing like knowing you have created something by putting in countless hours of thought and work. and as far as sanding goes you can purchase wood that is all ready sanded on both sides, and staning is a joke just use a rag start in the centre and move outwards with small even circular strokes. you will enjoy a cage that you know you have created much more then choosing some plain white sawdust that has been glued together to way a ton. once again this my opinion and not that of anyone else. and should be taken as so.