An EASY hatchling rack for 114 babies!

Yep, it's after midnight! Just finished a super rack to house 114 sterlite pencil boxes! It will take a few hours, but it's well worth it. I have also built a rack similar in size that houses 30 sterlite shoe boxes, check it out here if you want: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51672

Here's what you'll need:
Two (2) 12"x96" pre-drilled melamine... cut it to 72".
One (1) 12"x96" melamine... cut into two 40" pieces.
One (1) 4'x8' peg board... cut into 37"x73".
Eighteen (18) 11.8"x35.8"x.5" shelving
Shelve pegs
Four 3" brackets
And a few nails.

Build it with the front laying on the ground. Space the two 72" pieces 36" apart and secure them well (at a right angle of course) to the two 40" pieces. Then simply lay the peg board on top and secure it with nails all around. Securing the peg board around the rack's perimeter helps prevent twisting of the structure. I also put one nail at each point where the 72" piece meets the 40" piece to prevent twisting.

You can see in the pictures, I drilled holes down both sides for added ventilation, and here's a tip, wrap a little duct tape (I use white) around the shelf pegs, this helps prevent the shelf from sliding.

The sterlite pencil boxes are used by many, and can be found at Wal-Mart for $.97... especially this time of year! The melamine I found at Home Depot, the Lowe's near me doesn't carry the pre-drilled sheets. And total cost including the pencil boxes ends up being about $250... not bad considering it's capacity. See ya':wavey:

Thanks for the info on this! I just might have to build me one of these for next year!

Very nice. I use the other pencil boxes they sell that are about half the price of those, so that right there could make it even cheaper for someone who was on a budget.

blueapplepaste said:

Very nice. I use the other pencil boxes they sell that are about half the price of those, so that right there could make it even cheaper for someone who was on a budget.

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Very true, it would save about $50 actually. To me, the smaller ones are just a little too small, but a very good alternative though.

Thanks! I will be doing this next year as well.
I won't be hatching out 114 babies - but I will be hatching out quite a few next year, and more the year after.

If I have to pull lids off and the bins don't fit snug, I don't consider it a rack. It's more so hatchling shelves.

TripleMoonsExotic said:

If I have to pull lids off and the bins don't fit snug, I don't consider it a rack. It's more so hatchling shelves.

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I concur....:sidestep:
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hmm..This is a very nice setup..so what would the dimensions have to be to make this suitable for adult corns?

TripleMoonsExotic said:

If I have to pull lids off and the bins don't fit snug, I don't consider it a rack. It's more so hatchling shelves.

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Yea, ok, by definition I would also concur... I just never put that thought into it. :idea:

You must admit though, using bins like these pencil boxes along with the pre-drilled melamine eliminates the need for a lidless design, and lets face it... by doing so, eliminates a lot of numerous pinpoint measurements and pinpoint shelf fastening rolleyes:handy features for those of us without the tools to give a true rack system the necessary precise dimensions!!). And this way too, us constructually challeged folks don't have to spend 3-4 times as much on pre-made systems, right?

Maize411: As far as a design for adults. The same general shelf concept using pre-drilled melamine could still be used. Like these little shoeboxes though, your adult tubs you decide on using should have escape-proof lids using this design.

jmksnakes said:

You must admit though, using bins like these pencil boxes along with the pre-drilled melamine eliminates the need for a lidless design, and lets face it... by doing so, eliminates a lot of numerous pinpoint measurements and pinpoint shelf fastening rolleyes:handy features for those of us without the tools to give a true rack system the necessary precise dimensions!!). And this way too, us constructually challeged folks don't have to spend 3-4 times as much on pre-made systems, right?

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Too true....BUT....

Let me know how opening and closing those pencil boxes works for you after a couple months of working with a full rack of 114 babies! :devil01:




And don't get me wrong...love the design. Very nice. But speaking from experience and once upon a time doing exactly what you are doing, there is a reason many people convert to lidless systems once the numbers start getting high!

Devil's advocate, I know I know. I work 60 hours a week already, AND I care for all of the snakes without any help (like a lot of us I know). So Jeff-ol'-buddy-ol'-pal', if you notice a post at any time in the future where I may mention I've made my third one of these "racks"... do me a favor and send someone from the looney bin to come pick me up:crazy02:!! I've got the capacity to house around 200 hatchlings now... I'd say that's my limitations.

jmksnakes said:

You must admit though, using bins like these pencil boxes along with the pre-drilled melamine eliminates the need for a lidless design, and lets face it... by doing so, eliminates a lot of numerous pinpoint measurements and pinpoint shelf fastening rolleyes:handy features for those of us without the tools to give a true rack system the necessary precise dimensions!!). And this way too, us constructually challeged folks don't have to spend 3-4 times as much on pre-made systems, right?

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That's why I buy mine. Others have already done the work, why create more by making me own? :grin01:

How would you make a set up in those small pencil boxes?

pnelldaman said:

How would you make a set up in those small pencil boxes?

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Here's how I do it, a Brawny "pick-a-size" paper towel, 2oz portion cup, and 1/4 of a drink holder (get 'em free from fast-food places). A hide isn't totally necessary, but I prefer using one (maybe the babies prefer it too).:shrugs:

TripleMoonsExotic said:

That's why I buy mine. Others have already done the work, why create more by making me own? :grin01:

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1) money, money, money...

2) satisfaction in a job well done.

3) no payment/shipping problems.

4) built to your own specifications.

5) If something goes wrong you don't have to go to the BOI, you ARE the BOI:crying:

6) did I mention money? $$$