Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all...I have a delimma(sp)...Too many snakes and not enough place to put them.. I am good with wood and i am trying to come up with some ideas for some cages...I am planning on going with 5/8 or 3/4 inch plywood..what would yall think is the easiest way to put a front door..it has to be see through (of course) and simplest to build...i work at a window company so i could get a window for the front but i would rather build something if possible, out of wood of course..the cage is for baby/yearling boas and ball pythons...any help is greatly appreciated and if anyone has pics of custom cages, id really appreciate it..thanks..

Craig
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

I think sliding bypass doors are the easiest to build and also look the best. I would use a real wood face frame attached to your plywood carcass and the just glue adhere plastic glass track from Outwater to the frame. Or you could get fancy and recess the track in a dado or rabbet cut into the face frame. Consider going with thicker wood if you do that.

But if this is to house baby/yearling boids why not just use a rack?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Im not a fan of the rack yet because i like to look at my snakes in a "habitat." Once i start breeding then ill be building a rack..but for now i would like to build something that can go in the living room, something kinda nice to where the girlfriend approves of it..know what i mean?... i have a 6'H x 3'W x 2'D
(3 levels) cage that im still not finished with cause im waiting on sliding windows from where i work...and im getting them for really cheap so therefore i have to wait on them...so im thinking of making another one just 2 levels and not so fancy with the windows...thanks...
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

I totally understand what you mean.

I'm the same way but still need the other advantages of a rack for hatchlings and juveniles, so I plan a compromise of sorts.

My hatchling/grow-off racks will be built around the 9" tall Cambro storate boxes. Sort of a hybrid between display and rack.

Here is an example, although using a shorter Cambro box. I think the 9" tall box makes for a better display and the species I keep is also semi-arboreal.

Just thought I'd throw this out there as another idea.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

I am thinking of going with a sliding front door as you suggested and my question is can i get what i need at home depot for the door because i would like to build it this weekend...im in a bit of a rush because i have too many snakes and not enough room to keep them so i need to build something asap...thanks...
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

I have heard of people finding plastic glass track at Home Depot and also at glass shops. But I don't think every Home Depot has them and I don't remember what section they are in (we don't have a HD where I live).

Maybe do a forum search.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

Thanks for the ideas, i really appreciate it...
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

what tools do you have available? in a pinch you could make your own glass track.
i have never seen them at home depot or at lowes, and i have looked.

i know how it feels to have a project in your head and have to wait on other people like a shipment to come in or a shop to get something done. i think i wore out the UPS tracking website last week. good luck, keep us posted.
Harlan
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scaledhabitats.com

Website updated!

dude that would be great if you could tell me how to make my own...i have a jig saw and if i have too, ill go a buy a circular saw, but im sure i can get whatever i need cut at home depot if necessary...i have an idea for a cage with two opening doors in the front, kinda like an entertainment center..but a cage..ill post a picture shortly..thanks...
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

that I'm thinking of building...i hope the person doesnt mine me posting it..i really like it though...

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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

n/p

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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

with just those tools, it probably wouldnt be feasable to make your own. if you had a table saw or a router maybe.
really all a glass track is is grooves on top and bottom for glass panels to slide in. you would take a length of wood as wide and long as you needed and route or cut/dado the grooves you need, making the grooves for the top track deeper so you can insert and remove the glass.

with the entertainment center idea, are your doors going to be frameless? are you still wanting sliding doors? check out these hinges. you can find them at home depot or lowes. they are called non-bore glass door hinges. they might help with what you are trying to do http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=405

Harlan
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scaledhabitats.com

Website updated!

Now that im thinking of the entertainment cage idea, i dont think im gonna go with the sliding doors..i was just trying to think of the best way...i am thinking of using doors with frames, but if you think it might better to not have frames then that might work too...i just have to figure out a way to keep it sealed and locked...thanks for the help..
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)

If you really want to go with sliding doors go to home depot, don't bother asking any employees (I have yet to meet one over the years who has a clue where to locate them let alone knows what they are) Go to the window section, look for the plexi glass and cutter, and in an end display (A tube about 4" in diameter) you will find the glass track packages, standing on end. I've been to 2 different home depots in both instances this is how and where I found them.

Good luck.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

n/p
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(soon to be the owner of an albino ball)
0.2 normal ball pythons
0.2 normal Redtail boa
1.0 Hypo Redtail boa
1.0 true Redtail boa
1.1 100% Het Albino Redtail boa
1 baby sulcata tortoise
0.0.1 Baby Bearded Dragon
0.0.1 Baby Red Uromastyx
0.1 GF Eryn (WC)