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Building your own rack system
- Thread starter CAV
- Start date
MichaelBoyko
Me
Quick question...
You were saying the sterilite containers (27qt) will be able to comfortably house large/adult corn snakes? They don't benefit from more room?
Thanks for your input!
You were saying the sterilite containers (27qt) will be able to comfortably house large/adult corn snakes? They don't benefit from more room?
Thanks for your input!
DdotSpot
The Snewbie
How to build your own Rheostat for less than $7. A detailed guide.
If you are electrically challenged..hopefully this will be a good tool for you. Obviously there are many different ways that you can do this, but I thought it fitting to post simple and effective step-by-step instructions for an easy design.
DISCLAIMER: If you are under the age of 16, I would recommend adult supervision...remember, you are making an electrical device...electricity will be involved!!!
Ok let's start off with the ingredients....
Here is my proof of purchase. All of these items you should be able to pick up at your local Wally World. If you can't find them there, you might try a local electric supply or Lowes.
Here are the tools that you will need...I have a 12 in 1 screwdriver, but most likely all you'll need is a flat-head. The electrical tape is optional, but HIGHLY recommended.
OK...now for STEP 1:
Cut the exension cord approx. 1.5ft from the pictured end.
STEP 2:
Take the shorter piece of wire...
...and you want to split the two wires by using your razor blade to cut down the VERY center of the two.
Be careful and go slowly, you don't want to mess up and expose the wiring...
If you do, don't worry...electrical tape will patch that right up!
Also...be VERY careful with the sharp object and CUT away from your body...
Not to worry again, electrical tape will patch that right up too!!
If you are electrically challenged..hopefully this will be a good tool for you. Obviously there are many different ways that you can do this, but I thought it fitting to post simple and effective step-by-step instructions for an easy design.
DISCLAIMER: If you are under the age of 16, I would recommend adult supervision...remember, you are making an electrical device...electricity will be involved!!!
Ok let's start off with the ingredients....
Here is my proof of purchase. All of these items you should be able to pick up at your local Wally World. If you can't find them there, you might try a local electric supply or Lowes.
Here are the tools that you will need...I have a 12 in 1 screwdriver, but most likely all you'll need is a flat-head. The electrical tape is optional, but HIGHLY recommended.
OK...now for STEP 1:
Cut the exension cord approx. 1.5ft from the pictured end.
STEP 2:
Take the shorter piece of wire...
...and you want to split the two wires by using your razor blade to cut down the VERY center of the two.
Be careful and go slowly, you don't want to mess up and expose the wiring...
If you do, don't worry...electrical tape will patch that right up!
Also...be VERY careful with the sharp object and CUT away from your body...
Not to worry again, electrical tape will patch that right up too!!
DdotSpot
The Snewbie
Step 3:
Use the wire strippers and strip about 3/4" to 1" off of the end of each wire.
If you don't have any wire strippers, the razor blade will work fine...just make sure not to cut too deep. Cut a circle AROUND the insulation and pull it off with your fingers.
[/I]STEP 4:
Take the other 'cut' end of the cord and do the same thing to it.
STEP 5:
Now take both ends and insert them into your single gang box
STEP 6:
You have to be VERY precise on this part...look for the wire that has the ridges on it...this is the NEUTRAL side...
Now connect BOTH of the ridged wires together by twisting the exposed wire. And put one of your wirenuts(should be included with the dimmer) around the twisted wire
I also suggest putting electrical tape around it to secure it and close up any potential fire hazard...never too safe!
STEP 7:
Take your dimmer(notice the 2 black wires and 1 green wire) and connect the black wires to the two remaining wires....It does not matter which one you connect them to...
Step 8:
Do not worry about the green wire...just stuff it in the box. This is the grounding wire, because there is no ground on the plug, it won't be used. Now screw the dimmer into your box as shown.
Use the wire strippers and strip about 3/4" to 1" off of the end of each wire.
If you don't have any wire strippers, the razor blade will work fine...just make sure not to cut too deep. Cut a circle AROUND the insulation and pull it off with your fingers.
[/I]STEP 4:
Take the other 'cut' end of the cord and do the same thing to it.
STEP 5:
Now take both ends and insert them into your single gang box
STEP 6:
You have to be VERY precise on this part...look for the wire that has the ridges on it...this is the NEUTRAL side...
Now connect BOTH of the ridged wires together by twisting the exposed wire. And put one of your wirenuts(should be included with the dimmer) around the twisted wire
I also suggest putting electrical tape around it to secure it and close up any potential fire hazard...never too safe!
STEP 7:
Take your dimmer(notice the 2 black wires and 1 green wire) and connect the black wires to the two remaining wires....It does not matter which one you connect them to...
Step 8:
Do not worry about the green wire...just stuff it in the box. This is the grounding wire, because there is no ground on the plug, it won't be used. Now screw the dimmer into your box as shown.
Here is my Rack. I like CAV's a little better, but I am very satisfied with the results, I havent done much in the way of woodworking. I kept the shelves a little bigger than I needed them in case I need to use larger containers in the future, and I dont really need a huge amount of capacity yet.
Attachments
pcar
PCar's Reptiles
JenC said:
I am working on that. I am almost done with my second rack, and will soon be starting on a third. I am going to be taking play by play pictures so that you can see everything, and I will try to make some blueprint plans to show the length and width and all that good stuff. Probably won't get it up for a while though.
howiet4702
Wanted: Jasper Co Okeetee
pcar said:
Almost going on your third? WOW! Someone's been busy :grin01:
CAV
Dazed and Cornfused
JenC said:
That was kind of intentionally left out so that you can made the rack fit your individual needs and what ever sized tub you decide to use. This truly is a customized project. There are so many great examples posted on this thread now that coming up with a "how" shouldn't be hard. Ask away if you have any specific questions.
CAV
Dazed and Cornfused
Is the glass half full or half empty
Sound to me like you have ample reason to petition said "understanding wife" for a now necessary "reptile building" out back. Beats the heck outta climbing up and down a ladder to get to that ceiling rack.
Think of the possibilities... reptile room galore, a sink and counter, recliner, t.v. (w/cable), fridge, feeder freezer with Gronk's "private reserve" in the fridge......Ummmmmm. beer! Ahhhhh, someday!
Gronk said:Ok I need a guide to build a ceiling rack :grin01:
I'm out of room..lol..3 racks taking up my computer room! Between a desk and needing a crawl space to get to the bedroom I'm in trouble....
Thank God for understanding Wives
Sound to me like you have ample reason to petition said "understanding wife" for a now necessary "reptile building" out back. Beats the heck outta climbing up and down a ladder to get to that ceiling rack.
Think of the possibilities... reptile room galore, a sink and counter, recliner, t.v. (w/cable), fridge, feeder freezer with Gronk's "private reserve" in the fridge......Ummmmmm. beer! Ahhhhh, someday!
miamijuan3
New member
flex watt heat tape
i cant find heat tape anywere i tried home depot and other hardware stores in my area and came up empty.... if you know of any web sites or mail order places i can order it from it would be appreciated. the rack looks great i cant wait till mine is done i have fish tanks every where and my wife is driving me crazy. would these racks work for leopard geckos also i hope so.. thanks
i cant find heat tape anywere i tried home depot and other hardware stores in my area and came up empty.... if you know of any web sites or mail order places i can order it from it would be appreciated. the rack looks great i cant wait till mine is done i have fish tanks every where and my wife is driving me crazy. would these racks work for leopard geckos also i hope so.. thanks
CAV
Dazed and Cornfused
Not going to find it at a standard home improvement store.
I order all of my heating supplies from The Beanfarm.
The racks will work for multiple species as long as both the space and heating requirements are similar (ie both lizard and snake need 82F)
I order all of my heating supplies from The Beanfarm.
The racks will work for multiple species as long as both the space and heating requirements are similar (ie both lizard and snake need 82F)
amber_marshall75
New member
Trying to contact you, with no avail, about help with a rack. I believe that you stated if someone was in TX you would help them is there a way to contact you. Please email me at [email protected].CAV said:
DESPERATE!!!!
Thanks,
Amber