As promised here are the links that best demonstrate how I build racks. I decided to start a new thread rather than go back to the burried thread from last week.
Some of the links I had have expired but I think I'll be able to provide enough.
You'll have to Cut & Paste these links.
The first link does a good job of showing how I build my racks "upside down". You can see that here:
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rack.shtml
However, I do not recommend using the boxes as a spacer, especially for the larger sized boxes. Instead I recommend cutting a melamine spacer that will hold your shelves the exact distance apart while installing the shelves. The will not flex as much as the boxes - much more accurate.
You can see how you size the spacers here:
http://www.finegtps.com/Images/rackspacers.jpg
You can get an idea of how these spacers are used to hold the shelves apart here:
http://www.finegtps.com/Images/rackass2.jpg
But remember that I build my racks "upside down", as in the first (ARB) link. So I use two of these spacers and build the rack on its top. In other words, I use two spacers instead of a row of boxes.
To see more of the the info available from the last two links go here. It's a bit more complex that I build my racks with all the dados and rabbets for the heat tape, fitting the back, etc.
http://www.finegtps.com/Racks.htm
Lastly, for larger boxes the sides do not necessarily have to be complete. The rack at the ballpython.ca site shows an example of this. I also recommend you look up Artfan's "ladder rack" example on this site.
Here is a pic of the ballpython.ca rack:
http://ballpython.ca/Rack Pic.htm
Remember that the typical boxes used in racks are getting hard to come by. You'll likely have to find a box you're comfortable with and adjust your cut list accordingly. I'd be happy to help with that if you provide me *exact* dimensions of the box you choose. Obviously those dimensions will have to be without the lids.
