Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We've decided to make the cage out of melamine shelves because my Mom has four 8' X 2' shelves and one 7' X 2' shelf to cut down for the ends...free is affordable at the moment. Here's my question, is there any problem with just screwing the melamine boards to each other without using any other kind of wood strips? I can't see why it wouldn't be, but Mom thinks we need to have the melamine boards screwed to 2X2's rather than to itself. Any opinions?

Raven

Melamine is not the best material to use, but it definately works. I must admit, I currently use it for my cage until I can afford to get a visions cage. It is not the strongest material and generally not very thick. I found from past experience that drilling into it can cause splintering if the screws are too long. I don't know if screwing the boards into themselves will be strong enough to keep a determined snake in. I didn't take that chance. I build a frame out of 2x4's and then screwed the melamine into the frame. I placed hinges across the entire back side so the whole top lifts off (rather heavy) and have it locked with two padlocks. The front of the cage has two windows made from 1/2 inch plexiglass, glued down with liquid nails and then screwed through the glass (carefully) into the 2x4 frame with nice molding around the edges to make it look presentable. Doing it this way gives me confidence my boy phil will not get out!LOL! In short, I would make a frame.

Hope this helps.

Marco

If the cage is less than 2'x2' you can probably get away without any framing or extra support. However, if the cage you are building is larger than that, use some decent boards for framing, it will be much sturdier (although a little bit heavier). Also, to help prevent the wood from splitting, pre-drill the holes.

I build my cages from plywood, but it shouldn't be much different. I haven't used any framework since the late 80's in my cages. It just isn't neccesary. And I stack my cages 4 high and on wheels! Joint to joint is perfectly strong in and of itself. If you have any doubts about it, or never intend to disassemble the cage again, then you can run a bead of liquid nails between the melamine sheets prior to screwing. But they should be fine either way.

>>We've decided to make the cage out of melamine shelves because my Mom has four 8' X 2' shelves and one 7' X 2' shelf to cut down for the ends...free is affordable at the moment. Here's my question, is there any problem with just screwing the melamine boards to each other without using any other kind of wood strips? I can't see why it wouldn't be, but Mom thinks we need to have the melamine boards screwed to 2X2's rather than to itself. Any opinions?
>>
>>Raven
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.

I've moved the melamine sheets to where I'm going to build the cage...I do not want to have to try to lift this thing once it's built! lol My brother is helping with the overall construction, especially the doors and face of the cage - which he still has. We're cutting out the doorways from the melamine sheet - 2 smaller doors on the left, where she's been trained are the 'food doors', and a larger door on the right for changing the water and removing the snake. The doors themselves will be hinged (from the bottom) and made of 1/4 inch lexan, and locking from the top. If she gets out, it'll be because she picked the lock or burrowed through 3/4 inches of melamine coated boards. Thanks to all who've put in their .02 so far!

Raven