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Building a Rat Rack.. *LOTS OF PICS*

sartori Nov 07, 2003 10:07 PM

I sure hope i got all these pics linked right

Rat Rack Building Instructions -

Below I will go over the instructions and steps needed to build and install a fully functional 5 level, 10 tub rat breeding rack.

Tools you will require to complete the job (or something similar) -

- Saw (i use a miter saw)
- cordless screwdriver/drill
- 1 staple gun/hand stapler
- hammer
- wire cutters (for cutting hardware cloth)

Building Materials you will require -

- 10 "large" cement mixing tubs (28X19X6"
- 1 box 1 5/8" screws
- 2' of 1/2" PVC pipe
- 2- 2'X 2' 1/4" hardboard pieces
- 1 box 2" screws
- 1 roll of 1/2" hardware cloth
- 15 1X3X8' boards
- 4 caster wheels (full rotation)
- 16 1.5" bolts, nuts and washers (for attaching wheels)

Lets get started.

Building the Frame -

In order to build the basic frame, we will need to cut 5 pieces of wood. We need 2 boards at 41.75", and 3 boards at 28". These will

screw together to form the basic frame. Pre-drill and screw the frame together using the 1 5/8" screws as its pictured below. Once the

outside frame is screwed together, measure 20.5" from both ends and make a mark, this will tell you where your middle support should be

placed.

Now, roll out your hardware cloth onto the frame, and cut it to fit. Use your stapler, to fasten it down to the frame itself. When

completed it should look something like below.

Building the slide assembly -

Now you have your basic frame all assembled, now we need to complete the tub slides. I tried many diffrent options, using wood cut for

depth, using screws set as stops for the depth. But by far the easiest method for setting up your tub slides is to use 1/2" PVC pipe.

You will need to cut, 45 little pieces of the 1/2" pipe to a length of 3/4". This allows you to attach the slide material with a screw

right down the length of the pipe, using it as a "bushing" for the correct depth.

You will also need to get your 2'x2'x1/4"deep hardboard out at this time. You will need to cut the hardboard into 2 diffrent widths.

The first is the "outer" tub slides which measure 1-5/8" wide. You will need to cut 10 of this size. Cut them and set them aside.

You will also need to cut your "inner" tub slides as well. These measure 2-3/4" in width. You will need to cut 5 of these and set them

aside.

Below shows you a close up of how the slides and spacers are attached to the frame. You predrill a hole thru the hardboard, and drive a

2" screw thru the middle of the spacer and into the frame rail.

Now i bet ur asking yourself "these slides are 24" long, while the frame is 28" long. This is for something which will make sense later

in the installation. This allows the tubs to drop out of the way of the installed AUTOMATIC watering system. Below is a picture of

the completed "slides" on both sides and the middle.

You have now completed 1 full level. Go ahead and complete the other 4 levels the exact same way.

Attaching The Legs & Wheels -

Now cut 4 of the remaining 1X3X8' boards to a length of 60". These will become the "legs" for the rack system. You need to allow 9" between the top of one level, and the bottom of the next, this allows proper spacing for the tub to slide out, and not have it bump into the later installed automatic watering system. Attach all 4 legs. Measure and cut 2 more boards at 41.75" for the "wheel supports". Screw them into the bottom of the legs. This is where you will attach your 4 wheels.

You can now build the optional "feed bins" if you so wish. They are built simply out of 1 board which is 19.75" and 2 which are 6". This screws together to form an area to hold all your feed for longer times between feedings.

The rack is basically completed at this point. You can fasten some type of "stop" at the back of each tub (screwed to the frame) to prevent the rats from pushing the tub out the back of the rack.

Just add rats

Email me if you have any questions, or if i screwed something up while writing and takin pictures... im almost sure i did! (plus.. i can take more pics if people need them.. )

Replies (17)

rudedogsurfrat Nov 07, 2003 11:32 PM

really cool. how many rats does each hold ?

how much did all the materials cost??

Rudy
-----
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

sartori Nov 07, 2003 11:50 PM

Tubs - $50.00
Wood - $25.00
Mesh - $20.00 (give or take, i bought enough to build 2 racks and it was $30)
Screws/bolts/wheels/misc junk - $20.00

Each tub will hold 1.3 and allow the mothers to raise their litters with the male present.

My girls all average 15-20 babies per litter, so the numbers arent too bad when you figure on 30 adult females per rack producing.

sasheena Nov 09, 2003 07:58 PM

I have two racks, one my hubby built, the other I got in trade for a boatload of swiss websters. Hubby used big nuts (those metal round things?) as spacers, the other rack used the PVC pipe. I prefer the nuts as they are all uniform in size. Lately though all of my racks are breaking down, I have to redo them all this spring. I'll probably use these rat rack plans in the future for making new rat racks, and modify them for a new mouse rack.

Just wish I could find someone who was handier with making racks than I am, because I'm tool-challenged, and it might be easy for most, but it's impossible for me.
-----
~Sasheena

sartori Nov 10, 2003 02:44 AM

ive tried wood.. ive tried routed groves.. ive tried copper pipe.. ive tried washers.. ive tried PVC.. you name it.. and ive tried it!!

the copper worked nice.. you can get very specific sizes of spacers for all your diffrent tubs.. but cutting it was a pain in the butt!! i was goin thru a bandsaw blade PER project.. it was horrible.. i have it on my newest levels of my mouse rack (ill snap some pics tomorrow)

wood worked.. but routing groves took ALOT of time.. and i was spending nearly 3 times as much time on a rack than i should have.

washers was a horrible nightmare! LOL.. i dont every suggest anyone suffer thru it like i did

PVC worked quite well i was suprised.. setup a "stop" on my chop saw.. and rip all my pieces off at 3/4" and i was set to install my slides in about 5 minutes instead of a whole day of wood cutting, or copper pipe sawing

dan

DeMak Nov 08, 2003 12:20 AM

Once again, my hat's off to you Dan!

DeMak

sartori Nov 08, 2003 06:55 AM

always love to help

these things have been a lifesaver for me and my breeding.. so i thought i would pass on the love

Thomas S. Nov 08, 2003 02:45 AM

>>I sure hope i got all these pics linked right
>>
>>Rat Rack Building Instructions -
>>
>>Below I will go over the instructions and steps needed to build and install a fully functional 5 level, 10 tub rat breeding rack.
>>
>>Tools you will require to complete the job (or something similar) -
>>
>> - Saw (i use a miter saw)
>> - cordless screwdriver/drill
>> - 1 staple gun/hand stapler
>> - hammer
>> - wire cutters (for cutting hardware cloth)
>>
>>Building Materials you will require -
>>
>> - 10 "large" cement mixing tubs (28X19X6"
>> - 1 box 1 5/8" screws
>> - 2' of 1/2" PVC pipe
>> - 2- 2'X 2' 1/4" hardboard pieces
>> - 1 box 2" screws
>> - 1 roll of 1/2" hardware cloth
>> - 15 1X3X8' boards
>> - 4 caster wheels (full rotation)
>> - 16 1.5" bolts, nuts and washers (for attaching wheels)
>>
>>
>>Lets get started.
>>
>>Building the Frame -
>>
>>In order to build the basic frame, we will need to cut 5 pieces of wood. We need 2 boards at 41.75", and 3 boards at 28". These will
>>
>>screw together to form the basic frame. Pre-drill and screw the frame together using the 1 5/8" screws as its pictured below. Once the
>>
>>outside frame is screwed together, measure 20.5" from both ends and make a mark, this will tell you where your middle support should be
>>
>>placed.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Now, roll out your hardware cloth onto the frame, and cut it to fit. Use your stapler, to fasten it down to the frame itself. When
>>
>>completed it should look something like below.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Building the slide assembly -
>>
>>Now you have your basic frame all assembled, now we need to complete the tub slides. I tried many diffrent options, using wood cut for
>>
>>depth, using screws set as stops for the depth. But by far the easiest method for setting up your tub slides is to use 1/2" PVC pipe.
>>
>>You will need to cut, 45 little pieces of the 1/2" pipe to a length of 3/4". This allows you to attach the slide material with a screw
>>
>>right down the length of the pipe, using it as a "bushing" for the correct depth.
>>
>>You will also need to get your 2'x2'x1/4"deep hardboard out at this time. You will need to cut the hardboard into 2 diffrent widths.
>>
>>The first is the "outer" tub slides which measure 1-5/8" wide. You will need to cut 10 of this size. Cut them and set them aside.
>>
>>You will also need to cut your "inner" tub slides as well. These measure 2-3/4" in width. You will need to cut 5 of these and set them
>>
>>aside.
>>
>>Below shows you a close up of how the slides and spacers are attached to the frame. You predrill a hole thru the hardboard, and drive a
>>
>>2" screw thru the middle of the spacer and into the frame rail.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Now i bet ur asking yourself "these slides are 24" long, while the frame is 28" long. This is for something which will make sense later
>>
>>in the installation. This allows the tubs to drop out of the way of the installed AUTOMATIC watering system. Below is a picture of
>>
>>the completed "slides" on both sides and the middle.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>You have now completed 1 full level. Go ahead and complete the other 4 levels the exact same way.
>>
>>
>>Attaching The Legs & Wheels -
>>
>>Now cut 4 of the remaining 1X3X8' boards to a length of 60". These will become the "legs" for the rack system. You need to allow 9" between the top of one level, and the bottom of the next, this allows proper spacing for the tub to slide out, and not have it bump into the later installed automatic watering system. Attach all 4 legs. Measure and cut 2 more boards at 41.75" for the "wheel supports". Screw them into the bottom of the legs. This is where you will attach your 4 wheels.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>You can now build the optional "feed bins" if you so wish. They are built simply out of 1 board which is 19.75" and 2 which are 6". This screws together to form an area to hold all your feed for longer times between feedings.
>>
>>
>>
>>The rack is basically completed at this point. You can fasten some type of "stop" at the back of each tub (screwed to the frame) to prevent the rats from pushing the tub out the back of the rack.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Just add rats
>>
>>Email me if you have any questions, or if i screwed something up while writing and takin pictures... im almost sure i did! (plus.. i can take more pics if people need them.. )
-----
JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

sartori Nov 08, 2003 06:54 AM

works on mine.. and 3 other peoples so far

right click "refresh"?

Thomas S. Nov 08, 2003 07:58 AM

>>works on mine.. and 3 other peoples so far
>>
>>right click "refresh"?
-----
JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

Thomas S. Nov 08, 2003 08:05 AM

Very well thought out and executed. Thank you so much for posting this and with all the instructions. Very helpful for many people.
-----
JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.

sartori Nov 08, 2003 08:07 AM

always happy to share info about something i enjoy almost more than my snakes

now that i got another rack.. guess that means i need more snakes now huh?

chris_harper2 Nov 09, 2003 10:49 AM

One of the better posts I've ever seen on KS. I've built several rodent racks and have always used a dado blade to cut channels in 2x4's. But your use of PVC spacers is great for those who don't have access to a lot of tools.

If it's no big deal you should post this over on the caging forum. Many people over there come looking for tips on building rodent racks and I think your post would be very helpful.

Of course the new KS software does not allow for forum-specific searches so I'm sure anyone interested will find your post.

I have it bookmarked.

Kudos.

wallyworld Nov 11, 2003 11:03 AM

Awesome plans! I just built a 1 level rack using several pieces of board as my sliders (what a pain to cut). This plan would have cut my work time in half easily if not by 3/4.

I am curious to know more about the automatic watering system....could you post any information on that and how to build it?

Thanks so much.

sartori Nov 11, 2003 11:16 AM

i order all my automatic watering system components from www.agselect.com

all my stuff is on order, when i get it in ill be sure to take pictures of the entire installation process and add it to the final plans

gimme about 2 weeks

wallyworld Nov 11, 2003 11:06 AM

Also forgot to ask if you ever had any problems with rats gnawing through the tubs?

wallyworld Nov 11, 2003 09:14 PM

How and what is used to keep the water bottle in the upright position?

sartori Nov 11, 2003 09:56 PM

i dont use water bottles on my systems anymore.. but when i did i used the larger "rabbit water bottles"..

and since the frame is made from 1X3's.. it allows a high enough angle that the water bottles function properly.

ill go out and stuff a water bottle in it, and snap a pic in the morning

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