• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Melamine?

I used melamine for my entire snake rack. I used dry wall screws. I predrilled the hole for a better fit.
 
I make all my racks out of melamine, although they are heavy, they are alot cheaper than the commercial racks...besides you can biuld them any way you want.. I also use sheetrock ( drywall) screws and predrill all the holes.
DSCN4736.jpg

101.jpg

DSCN2901.jpg
 
Those racks look great! I do have to make a comment for the OP, though. I would not recommend drywall screws for any woodworking project. Though many people use them, they are not designed to hold wood together. They are weak and brittle compared to a wood screw. Your best bet is a self tapping wood screw. For longer, heavier screws, deck screws work well.
I'm not saying that a rack built with sheetrock screws will fall apart, but why chance it. Here's a test to see for yourself. Take a 1 1/2" wood screw, and a 1 1/2" sheetrock screw and drive them into the edge of a 2x4 with a screw gun. The wood screw will usually suck into the 2x4 until the head disappears. The sheetrock screw usually snaps by the time the head hits the surface.
I also like screws with combi or square drive heads. :)
 
Melamine works great. Just avoid large unsupported pieces. If you're going over 36", you have to start to worry about sagging. If you don't want to use melamine, you can always use wood. Just make sure you seal it, and let the sealant fully cure before putting any snakes in.
 
I planned on using Melamine wood for my cage when i start building it, do i have to use a finish on melamine like a water sealant? also...

rexracer said:
Those racks look great! I do have to make a comment for the OP, though. I would not recommend drywall screws for any woodworking project. Though many people use them, they are not designed to hold wood together. They are weak and brittle compared to a wood screw. Your best bet is a self tapping wood screw. For longer, heavier screws, deck screws work well.
I'm not saying that a rack built with sheetrock screws will fall apart, but why chance it. Here's a test to see for yourself. Take a 1 1/2" wood screw, and a 1 1/2" sheetrock screw and drive them into the edge of a 2x4 with a screw gun. The wood screw will usually suck into the 2x4 until the head disappears. The sheetrock screw usually snaps by the time the head hits the surface.
I also like screws with combi or square drive heads. :)
Click to expand...

What about melamine screws? i saw that home depot actually sells a "melamine screw" would that be good or would self tapping screws be the best kind to use?

Blue Apple Herps said:
Melamine works great. Just avoid large unsupported pieces. If you're going over 36", you have to start to worry about sagging. If you don't want to use melamine, you can always use wood. Just make sure you seal it, and let the sealant fully cure before putting any snakes in.
Click to expand...

Do you mean 36" in length and it will start to sag?

Scrufdog said:
I used melamine for my entire snake rack. I used dry wall screws. I predrilled the hole for a better fit.
Click to expand...

Will pre-drilled holes help prevent the wood from splitting when driving the screw in the wood?
 
If you use Melamine you do not need to seal it if you are using it to make a rack. They make iron on melamine edging that you can use on all the edges to really finish it off nice.
Wouldn't worry too much about the screws.. Drywall, wood, Melamine ect. Just be sure and predrill the holes...otherwise you will get splitting.. I know first hand.
Do not go too long on the board length. I have mine cut short enough to accomodate 2 tubs and I place supports in them also
 
Old_School said:
If you use Melamine you do not need to seal it if you are using it to make a rack. They make iron on melamine edging that you can use on all the edges to really finish it off nice.
Wouldn't worry too much about the screws.. Drywall, wood, Melamine ect. Just be sure and predrill the holes...otherwise you will get splitting.. I know first hand.
Do not go too long on the board length. I have mine cut short enough to accomodate 2 tubs and I place supports in them also
Click to expand...

would i predrill the hole the entire length of the screw or just a starter hole?
 
Old_School said:
I make all my racks out of melamine, although they are heavy, they are alot cheaper than the commercial racks...besides you can biuld them any way you want.. I also use sheetrock ( drywall) screws and predrill all the holes.
DSCN4736.jpg

101.jpg

DSCN2901.jpg
Click to expand...

hey there, nice looking rack!!s just a fast questions, the rack you have thats is 5 tubs tall and under the window, that is almost exactly how i am building my rack, mine will be 6 tubs high though i think... what are you dimensions?
 
Old_School said:
If you use Melamine you do not need to seal it if you are using it to make a rack. They make iron on melamine edging that you can use on all the edges to really finish it off nice.
Wouldn't worry too much about the screws.. Drywall, wood, Melamine ect. Just be sure and predrill the holes...otherwise you will get splitting.. I know first hand.
Do not go too long on the board length. I have mine cut short enough to accomodate 2 tubs and I place supports in them also
Click to expand...
Where do you get the iron on melamine edging? I have been looking for that stuff for awhile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top