Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want to get going on the new reptile cages next week, and I think I might end up having my dad's friend help me because he can build some really nice stuff out of wood, and he has all sorts of tools (I think he has a nice table saw which would be good for this job...otherwise I'd just be using my circular saw). i was telling my dad about this project and he said just to go to his friend, show him my current plans, and let him pick out the wood, doors, and everything else. Well, I've pretty much decided on using melamine because it's fairly easy to work with, it looks nice when it's done, and if the inside is sealed around the edges (what do I use for that, by the way?), you don't need to paint it or anything except for the edges you made cuts. By the way, what kind of paint do I use for that? I'd need to be able to use it inside of the cage too because I'm going to be putting in basking shelves and stuff. As for the doors, I was just assuming I'd do sliding glass doors, but apparently this guy can do framed doors. I'm not sure which would be better though. What are the ups and downs of each? I know that where I'm putting the cages there will also be a door directly in front of them (to enter the room), and when the door is opened, it comes within about 2' or so of where the cages will be, so I would be a little bit worried about accidently leaving a framed glass door opened when I have a lizard out and having someone throw the door open and break it....actually that aggrivates me anyways, because what if one of the lizards was in front of the door? I should make a sign too to put out when I have the lizards out.

So, that's the obvious downside to the framed doors, but what are good points? Being able to open the entire cage at once? Will the sliding glass doors wear out before a hinged, framed door would?

By the way, thanks to those who helped with my previous question. Tonight I'm going to be slightly modifying the design to include a vertical support in the middle, directly behind the sliding doors (assuming I stick with that plan). I'm also going to see if I am going to make the cages 49" long (to adjust for the size melamine comes in), or if I'm just going to cut an inch off some of the pieces.

stay away from melamine it's heavy and not very strong as far as sealing the joints caulk wont stick to the surface very long it's not porrus enough lets say after a few months of cleaning it will start to peel off use plywood or laminated pine thats the stuff you find in the project center of home depot it's light and easy to work with and besides that it's cut to size

Thanks. Weight doesn't matter too much, except that there will be two or three cages stacked on top of each other, so if I could get something with low weight and high strength, that would be ideal. I was just looking at melamine because I wouldn't have to paint it, but I'd be willing. I actually enjoy painting, but it just takes a bit longer. So, what size plywood should I go for? Also, with pine, I thought pine was a no no for reptiles...but I guess if it's covered with paint (high gloss non toxic acrylic?) it's not going to make a difference. When you say it comes pre cut, how precut? Just not in full sheets?

Thanks for the help, I hope you can help me out with these questions too.

When I said pine I meant edge-glued laminated pine boards. They come in widths ranging from 1 to 2 feet and lengths from 3 to 8 foot. I have found this material to be easier and lighter to work with than melamine, you just have to seal it with polyurethane. I have had no problems with pine and my animals.

Could you send me plans or something on how to build those cages? The bottom one looks exactly like what I want (not sure if the dimensions are the same). I think I am going to go with hinged glass, and I want to have them look really nice like a good piece of furniture...just like those. The only difference I would have to make is that the bottom cage for me would be used as a cabinet, so I would probably just put wood doors on it. But still, if you could even just send me basic directions (like what size boards for what, how you did that nice molding between cages, etc). I'm not very good with wood working yet...this week I'm going to mess around with some spare pressboard and see if I could make a smallish cage...a simple one....just something that if it turned out nice, I could seal it, put a good coat of paint on it, put some sliding doors on it, and either sell it or keep it for future use. But for the big cages, I'd really like something that would look nice.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. You can email me if you don't feel it necessary to post it all here.

Just a thought, here's how I paint my cages to look like the jungle. After sealing with a paintable caulk, I paint 2 or 3 coats of base, then dark green. Once dried I use a textured roller to paint light green, it gives it a leafy effect.

DZ

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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

::Well, I've pretty much decided on using melamine because it's fairly easy to work with, it looks nice when it's done,

Melamine will be fine for species of lizards that don't scratch a lot (such as monitors) and don't require high humidity.

::and if the inside is sealed around the edges (what do I use for that, by the way?),

Silicone aquarium sealant.

::you don't need to paint it or anything except for the edges you made cuts. By the way, what kind of paint do I use for that?

Cut edges of melamine are easily sealed with an iron on edge bandking.

::As for the doors, I was just assuming I'd do sliding glass doors, but apparently this guy can do framed doors. I'm not sure which would be better though. What are the ups and downs of each?

I much prefer sliding doors, mostly because you can open them just slightly to get to water bowls or add food. This is especially helpful for fast/aggressive species. For thorough cleaning the doors are easily removed to have complete access to the cage.

But ultimately hinged vs. sliding doors is a matter of personal preference. With the constraints of your room and the entrance door the sliding doors will probably be a better choice.

::So, that's the obvious downside to the framed doors,

Another downside of a framed door is that often some viewing area is lost. There are ways to avoide this by having the frame rest outside the cage. Then you can have problems with substrate falling out and security but all of this is avoidable with good planning and execution.

::but what are good points? Being able to open the entire cage at once? No, this is actually easier with sliding doors. At least from my perspective.

::Will the sliding glass doors wear out before a hinged, framed door would?

I don't believe so, but I take care to keep my glass edges polished and spray silicone lubricant on my tracks. Regardless, glass track is so easy to replace it's a non-issue.

::By the way, thanks to those who helped with my previous question. Tonight I'm going to be slightly modifying the design to include a vertical support in the middle, directly behind the sliding doors (assuming I stick with that plan).

You don't need to plan for the vertical support from the start. The cages look better and are easier to clean without it. Instead consider adding them if after the cages are stacked and you notice bowing.

::I'm also going to see if I am going to make the cages 49" long (to adjust for the size melamine comes in), or if I'm just going to cut an inch off some of the pieces.

I highly recommend this. Quality 48" light fixtures are cheaper and easier to find. The fixtures are a hair over 48" so it's trickier to get them to fit into a 48" cage made from plywood. UV bulbs for lizards are also more readily available in the 48" length.

Shoot for a total length of 51.5". That is the 49" interior width of the cage plus the width of the two 3/4" sides.

This will require less cutting and allows you to rely on the manufacturers tolerances for the width of the material. This is often more accurate than what one can achieve with a circular saw.

But if you want to switch to plywood all of these light issues are managable. I like plywood but melamine does have it's applications.