Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to Lowes today, and I have a bunch of questions. So if I build a 4' x 2' x 2' cage out of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood, I think it is going to sag across the top of the cage. I was thinking about building a frame out of 2x4s, and putting the wood on the outside of the frame, except for the bottom, put that on the inside and cover it with FRP or vinyl flooring. You think that will work?
Another question is how do I cover a hole big enough for an electric plug to go through for a heat pad, so the snake doesn't try to escape through it.
And how do I put a vent in? I was thinking cut a hole, then placing a screen on the outside, then putting a frame around the vent on both sides to hold the screen in.
And I was going to use the plywood that comes in a sheet, but it looks like it is made up of little chips. Is that sturdy enough for a cage? And does it hold paint well if I sand it first?
And would paint be safe for the inside of the cage too? If I let it air out first.

The plywood is around $20 a 4x8 sheet, and the FRP is $24 a sheet, so I figure it is going to be cheaper than buying a plastic one, and I get the satisfation of saying "I made that", but is will probably be a lot heavier.
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Tim W. My Pictures
0.0.1 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 Dumeril Boa

Silkworms are great!
Why doesn't kingsnake have auto login?

Anyone have that link to that site that sells the glass door tracks for like 10$ a foot? It was on here a few days ago and I can't find it now.
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Tim W. My Pictures
0.0.1 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 Dumeril Boa

Silkworms are great!
Why doesn't kingsnake have auto login?

np
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

10 bucks a foot is super spendy....i get enough track to do a 4ft cage for 10 bucks total at a local glass store...you might try a place like that..

>>I went to Lowes today, and I have a bunch of questions. So if I build a 4' x 2' x 2' cage out of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood, I think it is going to sag across the top of the cage.

It won't sag if you use a decent plywood. I'd recommend upgrading to a higher quality plywood if you can. Worst case scenario is you have to later add a brace behind the window. I'll see if I can find a thread on this tomorrow.

>>I was thinking about building a frame out of 2x4s, and putting the wood on the outside of the frame, except for the bottom, put that on the inside and cover it with FRP or vinyl flooring. You think that will work?

My experience tells me that many people try this thinking it will be a good idea. Actual results are not so good. I'd recommend a typical plywood cage for you.

>>Another question is how do I cover a hole big enough for an electric plug to go through for a heat pad, so the snake doesn't try to escape through it.

You can buy gromets are simply cut the plug off and wire on your own. This is what I do.

>>And how do I put a vent in? I was thinking cut a hole, then placing a screen on the outside, then putting a frame around the vent on both sides to hold the screen in.

Just use a heat register cover. Cut the right sized rectangle out of the cage and screw the register over that.

>>And I was going to use the plywood that comes in a sheet, but it looks like it is made up of little chips. Is that sturdy enough for a cage? And does it hold paint well if I sand it first?

Medium Density Overlay? Don't use it. Upgrade to AC plywood at least.

>>And would paint be safe for the inside of the cage too? If I let it air out first.

Yes, but why paint and FRP? You only need one or the other. I think FRP is overkill for a snake cage. Too ugly, too expensive, and I hate cutting it. Great for monitors or other scratching lizards, though.

>> ...it will probably be a lot heavier.

Actually 1/2" plywood is very similar in weight to many 1/2" plastics. Expanded PVC is lighter but many solid plastics are the same density as plywood.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

What is AC plywood? I don't know the types of plywood, just what they looked like. Pine I think was a solid looking sheet, there was the chip stuff I was looking at, and there was some that was 4 layers together. I wouldn't mind spending a little more if it is going to look a lot better. I would rather stain it than paint it, but if I stained the other plywood I was going to use, it looked like it would turn out like crap so that is why I was going to paint it.

>>>>I went to Lowes today, and I have a bunch of questions. So if I build a 4' x 2' x 2' cage out of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood, I think it is going to sag across the top of the cage.
>>
>>It won't sag if you use a decent plywood. I'd recommend upgrading to a higher quality plywood if you can. Worst case scenario is you have to later add a brace behind the window. I'll see if I can find a thread on this tomorrow.
>>
>>>>I was thinking about building a frame out of 2x4s, and putting the wood on the outside of the frame, except for the bottom, put that on the inside and cover it with FRP or vinyl flooring. You think that will work?
>>
>>My experience tells me that many people try this thinking it will be a good idea. Actual results are not so good. I'd recommend a typical plywood cage for you.
>>
>>>>Another question is how do I cover a hole big enough for an electric plug to go through for a heat pad, so the snake doesn't try to escape through it.
>>
>>You can buy gromets are simply cut the plug off and wire on your own. This is what I do.
>>
>>>>And how do I put a vent in? I was thinking cut a hole, then placing a screen on the outside, then putting a frame around the vent on both sides to hold the screen in.
>>
>>Just use a heat register cover. Cut the right sized rectangle out of the cage and screw the register over that.
>>
>>>>And I was going to use the plywood that comes in a sheet, but it looks like it is made up of little chips. Is that sturdy enough for a cage? And does it hold paint well if I sand it first?
>>
>>Medium Density Overlay? Don't use it. Upgrade to AC plywood at least.
>>
>>>>And would paint be safe for the inside of the cage too? If I let it air out first.
>>
>>Yes, but why paint and FRP? You only need one or the other. I think FRP is overkill for a snake cage. Too ugly, too expensive, and I hate cutting it. Great for monitors or other scratching lizards, though.
>>
>>>> ...it will probably be a lot heavier.
>>
>>Actually 1/2" plywood is very similar in weight to many 1/2" plastics. Expanded PVC is lighter but many solid plastics are the same density as plywood.
>>-----
>>Current snakes:
>>
>>1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)
>>
>>3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)
>>
>>2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)
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**********************************
Tim W. My Pictures
0.0.1 Leopard Geckos
0.1.0 Dumeril Boa

Silkworms are great!
Why doesn't kingsnake have auto login?

>>What is AC plywood?

AC is a pine laminated plywood with an "A" quality side and a "C" quality side. It's generally what I consider to be a minimum quality plywood for cage construction.

>> I wouldn't mind spending a little more if it is going to look a lot better. I would rather stain it than paint it...

In that case look into a birch or oak laminated plywood. I think you'll like them a lot.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)