Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello evryone!

i'm going to be building 2 cages for my bearded dragons. i was wondring should i use MDF (medium density fiberboard) with laminate on it and use non-toxic silicone around the inside along all the edges to seal it (like this web site uses http://www.finegtps.com/cagepaper.htm). or should i use melamine,i hear melamine chips wen you cut it thow.so if anyone can help me with some cage building info i would be ever so greatful.

I say, "Go with melamine." It will be less work for you and probably a bit cheaper, too, by the time you fgure in the cost of laminate. You'll have to finish both the inside & outside for a decent looking cage made of MDF.

With melamine you'll already have both the inside & outside of the cage finished, just silicone (Silicone II) the inside seams, iron on the edge banding and you're done.

As for melamine chipping, tape both sides of where you're going to make your cuts, use a new saw blade (I use a 60-tooth blade) and don't rush the cut. No problems.

If you're not very handy you should be able to take your sheets to a cabinet shop & get them to make your cuts for you.

If you wanted a natural wood look I'd go with plywood and water-based poly.

Have a good one!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

go ahead and use melamine board but dont get the crap from home depot or lowes. spend a little more money and get some good stuff from a specialty cabinet ship if you can. also a good trick to do when cutting it with a table saw or whatever you will use, run duck tape along the straight line you are cutting this will prevent the chipping of the melamine.
-----
Beach Beardies

2.2. bearded dragons
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

I used all Home Depot melamine for mine. Duct tape is overkill for the cuts, masking tape is fine. It actually hardly chips if you use a combination blade with nothing. But, like Hillbilly said I'd tape the cuts and use a blade with as many teeth as you can find for any edges that show.

Hey BDlvr,
What kind of fastening system (fasteners, drill/fastener bit, etc...) did you use? What kind of glue, if any?

I'll have to look to see for sure but I'm thinking I bought a #8 tapered drill bit with stop guide on it, for use with 2 1/2in #8 screws. I think that's what I got. It was either #8 or #10.

I've had all of my material for over a month now but haven't had the time to get started.

Thanks!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American