Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I'm thinking of constructing my own cage out of expanded PVC. What kind of solvent/adhesive should I use to hold the pieces together?

Thanks,

Susan P.

If you are using the 1/4" material I'd recommend joining your pieces together with the 1"x1" PVC corner angle. This basically act as a surface to surface joint. When gluing PVCX edge to surface (a typical edge joint) the bond is very weak.

You can use the standard PVC cement with this method. Simply coat the PVC angle with the cement and then place it along the joint you are working on. This can be done on the interior or the exterior of the cage.

Or you can clamp the two pieced you are working on and then set the PVC angle into the corner. IPS weld on 2007 can then be injected along both edges of the pvc angle with a syringe.

Either way, get a lot of practice with scrap material before working on your actual cage.

If you are using 1/2" material a combination of screws or rivets and either of the above solvents can be used. With 1/2" I might also take the time to cut dados and rabbets.

I have not experimented with the 1/2" material since it is so heavy so I can't say for sure.

Actually the 1/2 " is that much heavier then the 1/4" the 1/4" is listed at 27.5 lbs & 1/2" is listed at 38.5 lbs .Both solvents chris listed work great and additonal plastic welding creates a stronger bond then the actual material it self.We are currently working on a new line of the 1/4" & 1/2" cages using pvcx the cages are going to be bent into shape with heat benders and then welded for anyone going to the NC reptile show in may look for our booth as they will see there debut there at the show .I would reccomend if you are going to glue it all to use the 1/2" with as chris said dados for strength and also screw it for security by edge gluing and using screws and dados you will end up with a nice sturdy cage . good luck
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Edited on March 25, 2004 at 10:02:22 by phwyvern.

There must be different densities of PVCX. I know for sure that there are brands who's 1/2" product weights 70 lbs for a full sheet. But you are the second person who has found a listed weight of 38.5 lbs for 1/2".

That's a huge difference for a reptile cage.

who supplies this lighter material?could anyone give me contact information for a company that manufactures /ships pvc and related construction materials?thanks!