Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been pretty busy, but I finally got around to taking those pics for you today. Like I said before, the ones on Marcus Jaynes site (ballpython.ca) are much better, this is just a variation of that rack.

The black thing in this photo is part of a weight machine........there was NO WAY I could move it out of the way for a pic! My tubs being a different size I didn't feel like there was enough side to build it just like Marcus Jayne, so I used scrap from the Melamine sheets to build that front brace.

I cut holes in that top front piece to accomadate the controls, and pur an extra shelf of melamine above that so I could nest the racks close together (like in the top photo)and the extra shelf on top protects all the electrical components inside and allows me to use the top for storage.

Sorry these are so late. Hope thats what you were looking for.

Very Nice JM. How think is that melamine? I've used melamine for building racks before, but the only kind I can find around here is the 3/4" thick stuff and a whole rack made out of that is so dang heavy. Do you have casters on those racks? What size and dimensions are the tubs you are using and who makes them. (they look like the sterilite ones) Looks like you have both a reostat and a thermostat? How did you hook it up? Is the heat tape going down the back or under the boxes? Sorry about so many questions. I think you've done a very nice job and would like to duplicate it.

Mark

1. Very Nice JM.

Thank you! They were a LOT of work, I appreciate that!

2. How think is that melamine?

Yeah, that is the 3/4" and it is INCREDIABLY heavy!!

3. Do you have casters on those racks?

Yes I do! Heavy duty castors! And I made a ramp to use when pushing it in and out of doorways! Still takes me, my husband, my sister and both my kids to push them up the ramp and into a room!! It can be built by one person (I did) but you will need help turning it over, standing it up, or moving it at all. Be sure to use a spacer that will allow for enough room for the tubs to slide easily in and out or you will wind up with multiple ugly screw holes in the sides like mine have!

4. What size and dimensions are the tubs you are using and who makes them. (they look like the sterilite ones)

Yep, sterlite. The 41 qt ones. Rough demensions are 33" X 16 1/2 " X 6" tall. Each shelf of melamine is 17" X 36".

5. Looks like you have both a reostat and a thermostat? How did you hook it up?

It's a thermostat and a regular household dimmer switch. I soldered the heat tape to an extension cord. Wired the dimmer in line on the cord. Plugged that into the thermostat. All of that stuff is hidden in that top enclosed shelf.

6. Is the heat tape going down the back or under the boxes?

Back. I only used 5 feet of 11' tape for the entire 10 tub rack.

7. Sorry about so many questions. I think you've done a very nice job and would like to duplicate it.

No problem. But that is a variation of a VERY good rack on Marcus Jaynes web site, you really should check it out, it's their design, not mine.

www.ballpython.ca

I wrote out a post explaining the cost of the rack last week, which is why Joels417 asked for pics. I'll see if I can find it and paste it in here for you.

I just built a couple racks, adapted from the plans on Marcus Jaynes web site:

http://ballpython.ca/The Rack.htm

I couldn't find the exact tubs he lists, so I purchased Sterilite brand 41 qt tubs ( 34 7/8" X 16 5/8 X 6" I got these for $4.99 at Target. (That was a sale price, reg price is 5.99) so for the ten tubs I paid approx $50.

I went to Lowes and purchased 3 sheets of 4' X 8' Melamine. Get Lowes to cut it for you, it is difficult to cut and REALLY HEAVY!!! (Cut demensions depend on the size tubs you purchase, draw it all out carefully first so you know EXACTLY what to ask for in the cuts) I paid $25 per sheet, and approx $10 in cut fees at Lowes. So thats another approx $80.

I paid approx $3 per foot of heat tape, used 5 feet of it. (Bean Farm I think) I used a regular extension cord for the wiring ( $ .99) I wired in line a household dimmer ( $8) and I plugged that into a thermostat (A-life brand)to regulate max temp of the tape ($35) I put wheels on the bottom, you need them if you want to move it, it is increadibly heavy! ( 4 Heavy duty castors at $4 each) I attatched a cut 2X4 on the bottom of the rack so the castors had something good to screw into ( one 8 foot 2X4 will do, $3) you will need a back board to hold the heat tape on the back, I used cheap 1/4" hardboard it distributes the heat nicely ($ 5)and I used almost an entire box of 1 5/8" wood screws ($5)

So~
Tubs $ 50
Melamine $ 80
Heat tape $ 15
Extension cord $ 1
Dimmer $ 8
Thermostat $ 35
Castors $ 16
2X4 $ 3
Hardboard $ 5
Screws $ 5

I think that was everything I used. So thats $ 218 for a complete heated 10 tub rack large enough for ball pythons.

It was a serious headache to build! It is SERIOUSLY HEAVY!! It was/is MUCH cheaper than purchasing, and I did get it all built in one Saturday. Make sure you leave a small gap between each level to allow the tubs to slide.

Good luck

Thank you JM, great directions.

Mark

Thanks so much for the pics, the rack looks amazing. You have definitely persuaded me to build one like it.

Unless you want to fly to NC and build one for me.

j/k

I am going to get my stuff together and build one similar to that. That looks great for the price you paid. Where did you get the thermostat and dimmer? Thanks again.

Joel

>>I've been pretty busy, but I finally got around to taking those pics for you today. Like I said before, the ones on Marcus Jaynes site (ballpython.ca) are much better, this is just a variation of that rack.
>>
>>
>>The black thing in this photo is part of a weight machine........there was NO WAY I could move it out of the way for a pic! My tubs being a different size I didn't feel like there was enough side to build it just like Marcus Jayne, so I used scrap from the Melamine sheets to build that front brace.
>>
>>I cut holes in that top front piece to accomadate the controls, and pur an extra shelf of melamine above that so I could nest the racks close together (like in the top photo)and the extra shelf on top protects all the electrical components inside and allows me to use the top for storage.
>>
>>
>>Sorry these are so late. Hope thats what you were looking for.
-----
- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

They do look good. Let me know when you are ready to build those racks. We can come up with a plan simular to those. We can do it Sunday if you are able.
Does that mean i am getting the cages i built for you back.LOL.

>>Thanks so much for the pics, the rack looks amazing. You have definitely persuaded me to build one like it.
>>
>>Unless you want to fly to NC and build one for me.
>>
>>j/k
>>
>>I am going to get my stuff together and build one similar to that. That looks great for the price you paid. Where did you get the thermostat and dimmer? Thanks again.
>>
>>Joel
>>
>>>>I've been pretty busy, but I finally got around to taking those pics for you today. Like I said before, the ones on Marcus Jaynes site (ballpython.ca) are much better, this is just a variation of that rack.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The black thing in this photo is part of a weight machine........there was NO WAY I could move it out of the way for a pic! My tubs being a different size I didn't feel like there was enough side to build it just like Marcus Jayne, so I used scrap from the Melamine sheets to build that front brace.
>>>>
>>>>I cut holes in that top front piece to accomadate the controls, and pur an extra shelf of melamine above that so I could nest the racks close together (like in the top photo)and the extra shelf on top protects all the electrical components inside and allows me to use the top for storage.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Sorry these are so late. Hope thats what you were looking for.
>>-----
>>- Joel Smith
>>
>>"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"
-----
Thomas Jones
aligatorhunter@earthlink.net
(252) 757-3879

My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, I Sure Do Miss HIM!!!

We can build some, I need to get some more cash first. I was also planning on building a rodent breeding rack, I'll trade you those cages back

LOL talk to you tomorrow when you bring that other female over.

>>They do look good. Let me know when you are ready to build those racks. We can come up with a plan simular to those. We can do it Sunday if you are able.
>> Does that mean i am getting the cages i built for you back.LOL.
>>
>>>>Thanks so much for the pics, the rack looks amazing. You have definitely persuaded me to build one like it.
>>>>
>>>>Unless you want to fly to NC and build one for me.
>>>>
>>>>j/k
>>>>
>>>>I am going to get my stuff together and build one similar to that. That looks great for the price you paid. Where did you get the thermostat and dimmer? Thanks again.
>>>>
>>>>Joel
>>>>
>>>>>>I've been pretty busy, but I finally got around to taking those pics for you today. Like I said before, the ones on Marcus Jaynes site (ballpython.ca) are much better, this is just a variation of that rack.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The black thing in this photo is part of a weight machine........there was NO WAY I could move it out of the way for a pic! My tubs being a different size I didn't feel like there was enough side to build it just like Marcus Jayne, so I used scrap from the Melamine sheets to build that front brace.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I cut holes in that top front piece to accomadate the controls, and pur an extra shelf of melamine above that so I could nest the racks close together (like in the top photo)and the extra shelf on top protects all the electrical components inside and allows me to use the top for storage.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Sorry these are so late. Hope thats what you were looking for.
>>>>-----
>>>>- Joel Smith
>>>>
>>>>"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"
>>-----
>>Thomas Jones
>>aligatorhunter@earthlink.net
>>252) 757-3879
>>
>> My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, I Sure Do Miss HIM!!!
-----
- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

i see on markus site that his stick out 6" how did you get yours flush with the front Thanks