Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my 4' plastic boa cages sitting on tables, the floor, even an old file cabinet flipped on its side, LOL...figured it was time to make them mobile...

I can't count how often I have dropped something behind a stack, or needed to rearrange the room, and had to remove all the boas and tear down the entire stack...I think this little project will be quite a timesaver in the future.

Here is the finished platform...I made this out of 1/2" plywood and 2x4 stud I had left over from a baby rack I'm building.

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View of the bottom...

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I used 2" swivel casters...there were larger/taller wheels available, but they were really pricey and overkill IMO...so I cut some squares out of the studs to make these legs, and raise the height of the platform.

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I put some small strips of plywood on each corner, to keep the bottom cage from sliding off...

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And with a Proline 4' cage on it...

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The height is perfect for the door to drop down all the way...

I am definitely looking forward to making more of these...

And here's a boa to stay on topic...

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Heather Martin
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I have been thinking about making a few of those for my cages as well. I have my vision racks on wheels and love the versatility. How high can you(or should I say will you)stack the cages up before you feel like they may tip? Thanks. Mike Panichi
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honesty is my only policy

I only plan to stack mine four high...and I keep the big girls on the bottom, hopefully I won't have trouble with them tipping.

I would probably use larger, stronger casters and a thicker plywood if I were going to go higher than that...
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Heather Martin
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I tried castors and didnt like them because I could never seem to get the cage to go where I wanted it. I removed them and hammered on thosed slider things made for chair legs. They actually glide very nice and they cost way less then castors. I dont know if they will work on carpet, my floor is linoleum tile.

Either way making the cages mobile is very nice, and I think that keeping less surface area on the floor helps prevent mite transfer IF you ever had an outbreak.

Chris

I had thought about those sliders too...I have carpet now, but intend to go with hard floors soon, so the casters won...
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Heather Martin
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I like it. I wish I had time to build ANYTHING custom for my boa room. Nice job, Heather.

Tracy

Thanks Tracy...

One advantage of using both hands to build things like this, is it prevents me from pulling my hair out waiting on these gravid girls, LOL...
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Heather Martin
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Great job, Heather! In addition to added mobility it is always nice to have a gap between the floor and your cage. I've always had trouble getting the bottom cage or tub (in my racks) to reach and maintain decent temperatures. Most of the time they end up being used for equipment storage... extra bowls, hides, hemostats, bedding, etc.

Do you plan on painting or staining it to make it blend in with your cages a little more?

Thanks Brandon...I think that gap really helps save one's knees and back as well...that 7" or so makes it much easier to clean the bottom cage...

This platform is for cages in a bedroom that is all snakes, so I think I will leave it plain...but I eventually want to get some of the cages out into the living room...I might stain/finish those to make them match my otherwood furniture...
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Heather Martin
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