Big Project: Custom Stacking Vivs (Photo Heavy)

[raynefyre]

My boss is cleaning out our shop in order to have less to pack when we move to a bigger place. When I was the "going to the dump" pile I noticed a bunch of 3/4" plywood platforms with a nice metallic treatment/sealer on one side. I asked my boss if I could break them down and reuse the wood and she said yes.

And so ensued my massive week long project.

I'm making 7 vivariums that are 36" x 18" x 18" that can stack upon each other and lock together. Here are my process shots.

I broke apart and cut down all the pieces. To make any nicks or scratches in the metallic side disappear I did a light sand on it and then sealed it with Deft premium sealer in a satin finish. Here are the pieces to make one box.

Almost built!

The constructed basic viv "shell"

After all 7 are built.

That was the end of the first day. Now onto day 2. I added onto them the blocks that hold them together.

I added 3" x 3" x 1" blocks to the tops and 2" x 3" x 1" ones to the bottoms.

The topside.

And the bottom. Note: I had to shift the blocks on the front side back 3/4" to compensate for the additional width from the bedding lip.

More to come in the next post.

 

[raynefyre]

Oops! This is the actual topside!

 

[HazAnga]

Awesome idea and they look awesome. The stack able idea is a very good one, stops them from sliding off completely.

 

[raynefyre]

More building...

Here are two of them stacked together to show how they fit. I want to have a gap in between each one in order to allow for heat to dissipate and reduce overheating between vivs.

And all 7.

Next was adding in the center tabs and supports for the plexiglass. I made more 2" x 3" x 1" blocks and sealed them to match the interior.

Then I added a 3/4" x 15" x 3/4" strip for mild support and to place the plexi latches on.

On to outside! I took them out to paint and seal the outsides. All my furniture is labeled "espresso" or "black brown" so I did a white Killz primer followed by a black base then a "black brown" highlight. Everything was finished off with more Deft satin sealer.

I have to get more pictures once I start adding in the plexiglass. I had to do some touchups on the final wood pieces I have to install so they are currently drying / airing out in the driveway as I type this.

Any thoughts or comments? I'm looking into getting heat tape for installing on the bottoms of each cage. I already have aluminum tape and a thermostat. Also I'm considering installing eco lights or something similar in each cage to provide mild lighting in each cage because there aren't a lot of windows in my house.

Thanks for looking!

 

[raynefyre]

Even more building...

The touch ups finally dried. Now it was time to prepare the plexiglass.

I attached painted wood strips to one edge of the pieces for the latches, which you'll see in a bit. The other side has a hinge that will attach to the outer side of the cages. The pieces are held to the plexi by stuff I got from work we call Killer Red tape. It's basically like super duper glue in tape form. I have yet to find anything to break its bond once it sets.

Here are all the pieces. That's 1/4" plexi with 1/2" wood strips on the end.

On the other side I marked out where the hinges go.

Putting "Killer Red" on the hinges. One down.. 27 to go.. (Also please excuse my dirty hand. My hands are all dry and cracked so the paint isn't washing off too well.) >.<

One door with hinges on it.

And finally all the doors completed.

I'm giving the tape a couple minutes to set before attaching the doors to the cages. So far so good!

I also just ordered my heat tape while I'm waiting. I have 7 pieces of 11" tape coming in from Bean Farm this week.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

This looks AWESOME!!!!!! I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[raynefyre]

Thanks Robbie! You'll have to wait until later today for that. I had to stop last night because my roommates went to bed and I didn't want to use my drill and wake them up. So I'll have to finish them after work today. So I guess around 10/11pm your time? >.<

 

[diamondlil]

Amazing vivs! That 'killer tape' looks like fantastic stuff to use

 

[raynefyre]

Thanks Janine!

Yeah this tape is super heavy duty. We keep boxes of rolls of it at work. Mostly we use it for attaching plexiglass to stage pieces or fusing small pieces of wood together that we can't use screws or staples on.

Here's a link to the stuff if you want to learn more.

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks! I can think of plenty of uses for it

 

[Renosgirl]

looks awesome! I have never heard of the killer red tape but it is a great idea!

 

[Buzzard]

Very nice.....

 

[raynefyre]

Some more work.

I put two swivel latches on each cage to secure the doors.

And finished installing doors on one cage so far. Here's closed.

And with one door open. Sorry there's a blue wash to the photo.

Taking a quick break for dinner then on to finish up the building.

 

[Soulwind]

Those are very nice.

Now, send me over a couple of them and I'll do and in-depth evaluation of them
for you -- don't worry, I'll send them back.....*promise*

Nice job.

 

[Wyldrose]

Nice work! I need to build something like that

 

[taxman123]

They look Great keep us posted how they come out.

 

[halicorn]

Great looking vivs.

 

[raynefyre]

Final Stage of Construction!

So after taking a week off due to family coming into town I'm finally finishing the cages up!!!

The heat tape. I had my roomie solder the connections in order to keep them from separating. Each piece has a spliced 6' extension cable to link them together. I'll show that in a second.

Attaching to the bottom of the cage with aluminum tape.

To link them together, I made something like a daisy chain with the connections. Power runs from the bottom up. Also there are two outlets on my thermostat so each tower can connect for heat regulation.

The completed towers, with bowls/hides/plants placed inside. Time to add the bedding, water, and (of course) SNAKES!

My bedroom / herp cave. Most of the plastic tubs have gone away now that everyone has their own cage.

I'll post everyone in their new homes in a short while. Dinner time!!

 

[redneck45]

wow thats a very nice viv steup

 

[Renosgirl]

wow these are awesome! Do you mind me asking how much this cost in total for you? If you want you can PM me