Posted by:
tectovaranus
at Tue Oct 30 10:46:29 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by tectovaranus ]
Chris wrote-"I would like to hear more about the cage. Materials and construction techniques of the carcass and also material used for the rockwork.
Would really love to see some professional pictures, in particular closeups of the rockwork."
Most of my wood based enclosures are built the same way ( I also build fiberglass and concrete enclosures but that is another thread entirely!)
I use 3/4 birch ply and build the carcass like a cabinet, I glue and nail all joints and throw a few pre-sunk screws in if its a paint grade finish.
The fronts of the enclosures are made like cabinets with a hard wood face frame. I generally use poplar, unless it gets stain then I may use alder or oak.
The bottom of the enclosure gets an extra 3/8 ply skin, glued and screwed on to help distribute the weight of the enclosure evenly.
Drains are added, interior is caulked and primed, then epoxy is applied.
I generally just go 6" or so above the dirt line with the epoxy and then lay in a background ( mural) with latex paint and shoot a mate clear coat over that.
Everything is allowed to off gas for at least a full 7 days ( usually more)
Doors are made the same way as the face frame, pocket screws, then bullnosed and rabbeted to accept glass. Glass is siliconed in.
The doors on my enclosures open up or out depending on usage but never open down. Down opening doors get in the way, get dirt stuck in the tracks and are generally just a pain in the arse. I do use sliding doors for some set ups, usually the large patio doors used in residential construction.
The rockwork in this set up is made with a steel armature, coveed with metal lathe, then concrete.
I use a lightweight concrete mix fot the first few go-rounds, then finish with a mortar type mix for the texture coat.
I also make props out of fiberglass and sculpting epoxy.
Got another apointment with the photog on wed, so more pics soon.
Thats all I've got time for today,I'll try and get more info up later.
Cheers,
Ben
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RE: Ackie enclosures - tectovaranus, Tue Oct 30 10:46:29 2007