DIY 4x4x2 JCP enclosure on a budget!

[Terranaut]

So when I first decided to build my own enclosures for both my male and especially my female JCPs( so yes 2 identical enclosures) I had planned to go all out. Insulate them, custom glass ect. But after a while I thought hell for that money I could just buy one from a custom builder and ship it. So I reconsidered what I was going to do and decided to try to go high quality lowest possible cost. Or close to it. So I bought my wood to start. I will update this thread with progress pics and keep a running total cost in each post. It will take me honnestly a couple weeks to do this as I do work long hours.
All costs in Canadian $$
Ok post 1:
Got the wood and some other supplies to get started.

3 full sheets of 3/4" melemine both sides good. $90


Had them cut in half to fit in my van.
I also grabbed these odds and ends to the tune of $67

So todays total so far
$157

Stay tuned!!

[Rogue628]

I'm really interested in your project as once we get settled again, I want to build about 4 cages that size and three bigger ones.

Good luck in getting them built with minimal trouble

[USMCgunner11]

Best of luck. I like the color, they should turn out nice.

[Terranaut]

Thanks. It should be good. I will break down the design plan tomorrow.

[Terranaut]

Post 2. The plan


So I'm not gonna just hammer something together without a plan.
So what design to use?? Well I looked at what I have used already.
I have "critter cages"


The top being a screen is huge problem especially when removing it.
Pain in the but and humidity is a lost cause.
(yes Mac is in one here but only for a few days)

PVC cages are great for humidity!!
But there isn't much of a damn to keep the substrate in when pulling a snake out.


Vision style cages have a great substrate damn but I hate the sliding glass doors.
You can not properly open it to get your snake out and if they grab it or the opposite side coming out its a struggle.


So IMHO this is the best design. Nice open doors. Easy access to your snake. Everything stays in. Ect. Now this one has a screen top but mine will have a vent in the back 1/4 way up from the floor. So mine will be all wood other than the doors with a 6" damn at the front.
So my dimensions will be a little different but this is the design model.






So stay tuned

[Kingsnakechris]

Nice! I'm pretty curious to see what you come up with, I'll be starting mine next month. Thanks for sharing.

[Brazen17]

You can get lot's of good info on cabinet building online or get a book from Lowe's or Home Depot. Amazon is also a good source how to do it books.

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by Brazen17

You can get lot's of good info on cabinet building online or get a book from Lowe's or Home Depot. Amazon is also a good source how to do it books.

My goal for this is to make a large , highly functional , easy to build ( I mean a 10yr old could do it) nice looking enclosure for stupid cheap. I originaly planned to insulate it with stained oak exterior and slate tile inside. I realized I will have to move these around and eventually build 4 more of the same so cost and the ability to copy it exactly became top priority.





Still haven't been able to get going on this between work and rain.
Also still waiting for my heat panels to arrive .

[MoreliAddict]

This seems awesome, but I think DIY is more expensive than people think.

At the White Plains expo, I saw fully assembled PVC (front-opening) cages at $110 (in America) for a 3' by 2' by 18". Again, fully assembled PVC. And the people at the booth would install the screen top right in front of you upon request.

[Terranaut]

Originally Posted by MoreliAddict

This seems awesome, but I think DIY is more expensive than people think.

At the White Plains expo, I saw fully assembled PVC (front-opening) cages at $110 (in America) for a 3' by 2' by 18". Again, fully assembled PVC. And the people at the booth would install the screen top right in front of you upon request.

All of my costs will be in Canadian$$ at Canadian prices. I assume these will be cheaper to build in the US by a little bit anyway. Try to find a 4x4x2 PVC viv. I asked the guys at Powerhouse how much to make me one and I was looking at over $500 without heat. So my cost should be between $250-$275 each. I am going to do a complete cost total when they are done. 1/2 price and wait until you see my lighting and hide ideas

[MoreliAddict]

I use the same hides for Spot and that's EXACTLY how he hangs out most of the time.

[Terranaut]

Mick tends to hang out on top of the cool hide or in the warm. He can see our beardie from there and watches her like a hawk but doesn't snap into feed mode. Weird eh!

[Terranaut]

Started the basic cabinet today. I was going to build them at the same time but decided I should warm up on the one so at least the 2nd one looks not half bad
I am no carpenter I made some errors but here is the first one screwed and glued with construction adhesive.



I will put a dam top and bottom when I find out what size of cheaper standard cut glass or plexi will cost. Cheaper and easier to cut the dams to match the door than the other way around.

[Rogue628]

Looks good so far.

What are your plans for the inside? Are you going to leave it all open?

[Terranaut]

I plan to put fake branches in there.
This is then only waste from 1.5 full sheets of material.