My first build - 4'x2'x2' cage

[raynefyre]

Item List:

2 - 2'x4'x1/2" sheet of ply (top & bottom)
2 - 2'x23"x1/2" sheet of ply (sides)
1 - 47"x23"x1/2" sheet of ply (back)
1 - 3"x4'x1" board (litter dam)
3 - 3"x2'x1" board (legs)
2 - 2"x4"x1" board (window frame top & bottom)
2 - 2"x21"x1" board (window frame sides)
1 - 2"x17"x1" board (window frame center piece)

2 - 18"x22"x.08" Optix plexiglass
2 - 4" PVC vents
3 - 2.5" hinges
2 - silver latches
1 - tube of caulk
bottle of wood glue
1 5/8" screws
1 1/8" screws
black acrylic paint
polycrylic sealer

The pieces, everything cut to size. I cut the framing for the window at 45 degree angles, except the center piece, to make it fit neatly together.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/114/l_a0f31dc3c7d646efb0077d7a0679d175.jpg

Next, I cut a 1/2" high groove down the center of the inside of the window frame pieces on the table saw. Note, you have to do it on both sides of the center piece.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/128/l_b44eb7eba59b4981a003dd7e041d8cc7.jpg

Next I had to cut the vents on a band saw because they were too thick for the ply. I screwed them to a 2x4 to keep them perfectly vertical to run them through the saw properly. Here's a pic to show what I did.

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/126/l_1871565e210d462599baa805bc52f99c.jpg

I put the cage together starting with the bottom on its side and adding the side walls and the back. Next came the top, the legs, and the litter dam. (Note: I pre-drilled everything to make sure nothing split. Countersinking is preferred too. Glue all pieces together too.)

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/149/l_c86d370fb30a48049081177c92086387.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/151/l_b6f8058b1e124c3a86d3482aa44cc9bf.jpg

Painted the outside of the cage black (to match the rest of our furniture). Also, the inside was coated twice with polycrylic sealer.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/137/l_0c2e5cf10a7e4a0599abb134dc036fb3.jpg

Installed the Optix and screwed the frame together. Door complete. :)

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/146/l_649a57c775954bfb8b0698e2b6a71b0b.jpg

Next I cut two 4" circular holes in the back wall for the vents. Their centers are 12" in from the sides and 9.5" up from the bottom of the inside of the cage. Just wedge them in with some glue and use the hinges to attach the window frame to the cage. I put one dead center and the other two are 2" from the sides. The latches were attached 12" in from the edges of the cage. Lastly, I coated the inside with two more coats of polycrylic to make sure it was sealed good. Waiting for it to completely dry overnight before I caulk all the inside corners and edges. Here's the final product.


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/121/l_bb5f262f83974ba79edbcd807e0ad774.jpg

I was able to use a lot of things in my shop so I didn't have to buy them. Here's the cost of what I had to buy to build this.

1 - 4'x8'x1/2" sheet of high quality birch ply ($35 at Carter Lumber)
2 - 4" PVC vents ($2 each at Lowes)
2 - 18"x24" (cut to size) pieces of Optix ($6 each at Lowes)
2 - sets of 2.5" hinges ($2 each at Lowes)
1 - set of latches ($5 at Lowes)

Total: $60 plus I ordered a radiant heat panel from Pro Products coming in Wednesday which was $100. So total for the whole cage would end up being $160. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading. :)

[wstphal]

That looks amazing, Bree!

[gelshark]

i likes it

[Aislin]

Great job!

[raynefyre]

Thanks everyone! :) It was my first attempt at making something and I really wanted everything to be perfect. Gauge is going to be so happy in his new home once it has settled in and aired out.

[Nanci]

Cool! I can't wait to see how you decorate it. I'm not afraid to do big stuff outside, but I'd never be able to build a cage like that!!

[raynefyre]

I need to find a large branch outside near my creek and soak it in bleach. That is going to be the next step. :)

[Aislin]

Perfect! Nothing beats free decorations for a viv.

[danielle]

Awesome cage!! I can cook...but I can't make anything else,lol

[Nroc]

How do you clean a wooden snake enclosure properly?

[Sacred_Nightmares]

Holy cow that looks so good!! :OOOO!!!

[JeniDB]

Can't wait till you make me mine ;)

[raynefyre]

Can't wait till you make me mine ;)

Lol. Anytime. Just get me the materials and I will make it for you whenever. :)

[Asbit]

Great job Bree, can't wait to see it all furnished including occupant!! And when my son is done my snake shelf I will post pics but that won't be until June as it is his final Gr. 12 Cabinet Making Class project, he chose to make me a snake shelf in his class as my Christmas present. It will hold my 3 existing 30 gallon long screen top vivs and have a drawer on the bottom for feeding buckets and the thermostat.

[raynefyre]

Thanks everyone!

I was hoping that Gauge would be in his new viv by today but I've been having issues and complications with the company I bought my heat panel from. (grumble grumble...) Hopefully the panel will come in tomorrow but if not then Monday for sure. A three day project has turned into a ten day one but oh well all in due time.

As far as furniture goes I haven't had the slightest clue of where to find a nice sized branch for climbing so I just have a 2' pvc pipe along the back, a large water bowl, and two 1'x1' cat litter boxes flipped upside down. Once I get a branch and sterilize it I will add it in and make the cage more realistic and appealing to look at. Probably look around for some plastic plants too. All in due time. Expect more pictures though once it's all established and Gauge is in his new home. :)

[Marica]

I can't believe I missed this. It looks great Bree!

Painted the outside of the cage black (to match the rest of our furniture). Also, the inside was coated twice with polycrylic sealer.

I bet that contrast is going to look awesome once the viv's all set up. Is the polycrylic sealer easy to clean?

Did you eventually get the radiant heat panels? Do you have pics of them in the tank? Are they easy to set up / clean? Do you have pics of the final setup?

[raynefyre]

I can't believe I missed this. It looks great Bree!

I bet that contrast is going to look awesome once the viv's all set up. Is the polycrylic sealer easy to clean?

Did you eventually get the radiant heat panels? Do you have pics of them in the tank? Are they easy to set up / clean? Do you have pics of the final setup?

Thanks Marica!

The sealer stuff is really awesome to clean. Since I sealed the whole inside really well it wipes out with just a damp clean cloth. I replaced the aspen bedding I originally had in there with cypress mulch to help hold humidity better too.

Yeah I got a heat panel from Pro Products which just attaches to the ceiling with small nuts and bolts. All I had to do was drill two holes in the ceiling to put the bolts through. If I remember correctly, it's 9"x11" and centered over the left half of the cage. Since it's on the ceiling nothing really touches it to get it dirty, but if it does get some dust on it I just wipe it off with a cloth when needed.

Here's a photo for you too! The white in the top left area is the heat panel and the white along the back wall is Gauge's pvc pipe tunnel. :)

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/145/l_9a86796e9ac1459fbaa0662a5f5574da.jpg

[goldelx6]

How do you clean a wooden snake enclosure properly?

he coated the inside with polycoat it makes surface like plastic almost. so there isnt water/moisture getting to the actual wood. :)

[goldelx6]

this is awesome btw. really really excellent work.

[raynefyre]

this is awesome btw. really really excellent work.

Why thank you! :D

[Asbit]

Looks great, nice to see Gauge out and exploring.

[raynefyre]

Yeah it took him awhile to get comfortable to come out. He loves chilling on top of that tub now, his basking spot. :)

[susang]

Wow great job

[Nitelion94]

I know this is an old thread but I am very glad I found it. Mine is little enough for a 10 gallon right now but I do not want to just buy a tank when she is bigger I wanted to make one and this looks pretty perfect. 1 question does the heat panel keep the tank heated or do you have a uth?

[Dougefresh]

I know this is an old thread but I am very glad I found it. Mine is little enough for a 10 gallon right now but I do not want to just buy a tank when she is bigger I wanted to make one and this looks pretty perfect. 1 question does the heat panel keep the tank heated or do you have a uth?

check out my post below I used flex watt under ceramic tile for a UTH theres a pic you can see it there