Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After spending lots on premaid cages, I was wondering for a cheaper caging solution for a new cage. Would it be possible to put a couple of tall screen windows and reinforce them, and and attach them some how? After looking at my cage, thats basically what it looks like(which was bout 150$). Any good, cheap, and practical do it your self caging ideas?

Pretty much the cheapest, adequate caging supplies are aluminum frame and screen. Hardware is more exensive, and wood frames require metal bracing, not to mention staples to hold the mesh...

I have made, for myself and for sale, all-aluminum cages, comparable to the commercial ones sold at many places. To make them from scratch - plain frame and screen rolls, it's not
practical unless you're making them for yourself. I was glad I did it, as I
learned HOW to do it. But, I'm not going to make them for sale unless I
order the frames pre-made, in bulk.

You have to find the frames from a supplier. The ones from home
depot/lowes are wider and thinner, whereas the ones I use are more
square in cross section. the home depot ones will work, though.

You need a circular saw at least, or better yet (MUCH better) a chop
saw/mitre saw. You also need a blade that can cut aluminum.

You need to get some aluminum screen, not a problem, and the right
sized spline (0.125, I believe, for aluminum - 0.160 is for fiberglass).
This is critical. I wasted 25' of screen, and hours of time, before I
realized I had the wrong spline.

You need a screen tool, which is cheap, and a big, flat work table.

You also need to have some spacial-relation skills, as you're going to
need to cut the panels to fit, and you're going to need to fabricate some
contraptions to hold the frame square as you spline the screen. As you
press the spline into the screen and into the frame, it pulls on the screen.
The frames WILL bend if not secured.

Then you need a drill, and some screws.

All in all, you can build a cage, getting supplies, and tools, for the cost of
about 2 pre-made cages. Then you're set to make cages at a cost that
is FAR cheaper than any other method. I've tried them all.

1x2 framed cages with screen or hardware cloth mesh were the next
cheapest, and they cost as much as premade aluminum cages.

If you have any specific questions, and ar eintereste din making your
own, I'l be glad to help. just email me.

Eric A