everything is glued and screwed, i used "Roo Glue" which is a melamine specific glue. run a small bead of glue down one edge line it up and.... here is where i cheat a little i shoot a 1 1/4" brad to hold two pieces together, this gives me a chance to pre-drill(with countersink) and drive my screws in, 1 1/2" course thread screws are plenty every 8-10" apart..... thats NOT the only way to do it but it is a good way





ok lets see if i can explain your dato groove, and again like above this isnt the only way just how i did it and it works out good. this is the best picture i found to show the bottom of one of the cages







here you see the bottom of the cage to kinda give you an idea.



we know the the floor is 1/4 material, and it needs to sit up above the bottom of the cage to allow for heat tape easy enough that where your 1/2" airgap is. now the best way to install the floor is to recess it into the sides, front and back. dato grooves have to be cut into those four pieces (front back and two sides) thats gonna want to be 9/32" wide just 1/32 bigger than 1/4" this will allow for the 1/4" floor to fit with out being to tight. now this means the floor has to be cut bigger than the finish interior dimension, 1/4" over lap on all sides is good so just add 1/2" to length and width.... meaning if you build your box and you get finish size of 10" x 20" (simple numbers to keep it simple) you would then want to cut your floor piece 10 1/2" x 20 1/2" (10.5 x 20.5 soor if im using too many fractions)



one last thing you can see in the picture i have three added strips of 1/2" for extra support that run front to back. these are just glued in place for added support.



so it kinda hard for me to explain but i hope it help let me know if you have anymore questions
-----
-Stephen-



0.1 Fiance (Babe)

1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer)

1.0 norm corn (Jake)

1.0 col redtail boa (Switch, formally known as Dixie)

0.1 ball python (Bella)

1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Torpaz & Saphira)

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