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My new homemade rack

FFEMT3112 Dec 05, 2009 08:08 PM

Well after seeing a thread on here about homemade racks I decided to give it a shot..Seems to work for now. I'm in the process of converting a spare bedroom into a herp room. I used 2 4x8 sheets melanine 3/4" I cut it down to 4 shelves each one being 49" long by 24" wide. I am using 74qt Sterilite under bed boxes. I used 5/8" all thread in the 6' length.

I think it came out alright for my first build. I learned some lessons along the way lol.

I don't use my tongs for handling snakes. I use them in the field thats about it. my midwest collapsible hook is a little to light to flip anything over safely so I use the tongs.

I also figure since its a herp room I'd throw my handmande Indonesian blow guns up on the wall lol.

Currently the tubs are empty. I'm awaiting my flex watt and thermostat.

happy holidays!
Brad

Replies (9)

StevenOrndorff Dec 05, 2009 08:31 PM

It's great. What did you use for uprights? (The vertical bars)

FFEMT3112 Dec 05, 2009 08:39 PM

I used 5/8" "all thread" in a 6' length. i think each upright was about $14.00 at Lowes. basically its a long threaded rod lol. Then i just used a nut and washer on both the top and bottom of each shelf.

here is the original post i got the idea from.

Link

zach_whitman Dec 06, 2009 11:54 AM

Looks good so far.

How are you going to do the flexwatt without the tubs rubbing on it?

FFEMT3112 Dec 06, 2009 12:37 PM

As of right now, I'm going to secure the flex watt with foil tape along the edges and slide the tubs over it, if that doesn't work out i'll probaly use a router to cut a grove into the melanine

Brad

markg Dec 07, 2009 11:56 AM

What width Flexwatt are you using?
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Mark

FFEMT3112 Dec 07, 2009 01:20 PM

I went with 11" width for the time being. I probaly should of used two 3" wide strips..but the tubs are pretty wide and long. It's trial and error at this point

markg Dec 07, 2009 06:49 PM

Reason I asked is this: you don't actually have to router if you are willing to go with individual pieces of the 11-inch Flexwatt on each shelf.

You use felt pads on the box corners to raise the box up a tiny bit, then you place the heater in the rear center of the shelf so the box passes right over it without touching it.

Since you have an adjustable rack, should be doable to account for the height of the felt pads.
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Mark

FFEMT3112 Dec 07, 2009 07:58 PM

Mark,

That's a great idea I'm gonna have to that a try...

swansonsserpents Dec 11, 2009 06:15 PM

I used this design for 32 qt tubs and it works great. The thing I like is that with a little work, you can change it around to fit other tubs too. It is also a very sturdy construction.
I also routed the shelves on mine so the heat tape is recessed enough to not be scraped by the tubs when they go over the heat tape. I love this style rack.

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