Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone give me a pic or plans for a build it yourself screen cage. I mean 100 bux for some screen(5 dollars max) and aluminum(come on now). Thanks
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A truly wise man will always be humbled.

There is a good cage design on Chameleon Paradise's website under archives. It is a 2x2x4 indoor cage. It has a list of tools and supplies needed and shows lots of pictures.
I used the plan myself and it turned out pretty neat. It is probably easier for someone who knows what they are doing on carpentry stuff Cost us about 40 bucks to make I believe, and was pretty simple theoretically, I just hated doing it lol. Make sure to read through it a couple times, it can be a bit confusing at first.

Heres the Link! Good luck!

Erin
2x2x4 do it yourself cage.

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1:0 Veiled (Gene)
1:0 Sambava Panther (Knoxville)
1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
Various cats and dogs

im just finishing up my new cage. its actually a 4x4x2 cage with a removable divider. it was kinda expensive, but its really nice. im going to make a little site with instructions, plans, and such for it.

-jon
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1.1 veiled chameleons
0.0.1 normal cornsnake
1.2 leopard geckos

I'd love to know where YOU can get scfreening for "$5 Max"! Have you priced out screening at Home Depot or Lowes?? I didnt think so. You should not use FIBERGLASS Window Screening because the crickets can eat through it and the chams' feet will rip it.

I speak from experience. I have made 6 cages for my chams.

1. coated aluminum screening - $43.00 a small roll (just enough for one cage without making any errors in cutting it)
2. Window Screen Framing - $2.95 per 6ft piece
3. Window Screen Spine (to hold the screen in) - $ 5.99 per 24 FT roll
4. Spine tool (To get the spine in the groove) - $ 6.99
5. Screws to hold the frame - $12.95 per box
5. Hours and Hours to get the screen smooth and the spine forced into the groove - Priceless

GO ahead and try it....your "$5 Max" Screen will end up costing you about 60 per cage when average in the supplies and labor involved. Sure you can use Wood for the frame and staples for the screen (I've built an outdoor cage similiar to cham paradise's too) but that is an ugly cage for the inside of a house.

Anyway...please let me know where I can find screening at "$5 Max"...I'll rush right out and buy it.

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Raf

1.0 Jacksons baby (Frankie)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

how are ya? Happy New Year to you!

Where do you get your screen frames? I have not really searched for them yet, but would like to build some outdoor enclosure for my wilk silk moths and caterpillars next season. I don't want to use wood for frame b/c they will need to be easily moved.

thanks!

lele
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Hi Genius!! Happy New Year to you and Luna (I would wish your arachnids a happy one too, but they creep me out).

I get my framing from Home Depot. They come in 6ft lengths and then I just use a hacksaw to cut them down to the size I need. They have them in the WINDOW section, right by where the screening is. They come in 4 colors too (Aluminum, black, white and bronze). They also sell the corner pieces that you use to join the cut frames (the corner pieces are plastic and have the spine notch cut into them already.

If you can't find them up in NH, let me know...maybe I can work a trip into my new years plans
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Raf

1.0 Jacksons baby (Frankie)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

I've missed you! Where ya been?? How are all YOUR critters doing?

I asked at home depot and they said they didn't carry them - I thought that a bit odd - even for the sticks of NH! I will try again - or go to the big one in the booming city of Portsmouth. haha!

I'll let you know what I turn up. So, a trip to NH? Arachnids and all??? How can you not like this face - well 4 sets of eyes?

or run your fingers thru her silky locks??

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Genius,

Here is a description right from the HD website for the frames. Of course, these are a bulk pack of 20 but I am sure they can figure it out if you print out the ad and show it to them:

Prime Line Products
7/16x6' Bronze Screen Frame FOB Freight
Model 863305

7/16'' x 6' Bronze Screen Frame ''Pkg Of 20''. .020 Bronze Finish Aluminum. Use .190 Spline. Use 864250 Or 864305 Frame Corners. Freight Charges Apply

• Screen frame, 3/4" tall x 7/16" thick, 72" , bronze color
• Used on casement and wood hung windows
• Use .185 spline for fiberglass mesh, .165 for aluminum mesh

Internet/Catalog # 863305
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Raf

1.0 Jacksons baby (Frankie)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

thanks, like I said I hadn't begun to look too hard for them. I will go again.

lele

p.s. I sent you an email so don't think it is SPAM!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Hi Genius,

I got the EMAIL and responded.

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Raf

1.0 Jacksons baby (Frankie)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

>>I'd love to know where YOU can get scfreening for "$5 Max"! Have you priced out screening at Home Depot or Lowes?? I didnt think so. You should not use FIBERGLASS Window Screening because the crickets can eat through it and the chams' feet will rip it.
>>
>>I speak from experience. I have made 6 cages for my chams.
>>
>>1. coated aluminum screening - $43.00 a small roll (just enough for one cage without making any errors in cutting it)
>>2. Window Screen Framing - $2.95 per 6ft piece
>>3. Window Screen Spine (to hold the screen in) - $ 5.99 per 24 FT roll
>>4. Spine tool (To get the spine in the groove) - $ 6.99
>>5. Screws to hold the frame - $12.95 per box
>>5. Hours and Hours to get the screen smooth and the spine forced into the groove - Priceless
>>
>>GO ahead and try it....your "$5 Max" Screen will end up costing you about 60 per cage when average in the supplies and labor involved. Sure you can use Wood for the frame and staples for the screen (I've built an outdoor cage similiar to cham paradise's too) but that is an ugly cage for the inside of a house.
>>
>>Anyway...please let me know where I can find screening at "$5 Max"...I'll rush right out and buy it.
>>
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>>Raf

You are exactly right. I just assumed(you knwo what they say about that) that the screen would be cheap. I was wrong. Anyway, you seam to be pretty knowledgable and I thank you for correcting me.
Matt
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A truly wise man will always be humbled.

Quit being so friggin' CHEAP!

here is another site, too
cage design

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

It's not all about the money for my cages,Allthough its a good part of it...lol
The frame consists of 2x4's ripped in half 5-2x4's= $10.00
I cup feed so i have no worries of crickets eating through the screen if thats even possible!(I've had one of those nylon zip-up cages for over a year no holes yet)I'll just stay away from those monster crickets
So 2 rolls of regular window screen cost me a maximum of $20.00 which i stapled on then covered with trim any trim will work from window,door,base to 1x's In this case i used a dozen 1x4's $2.50 each Which equals out to be $27.50
For the bottom i used 3 sheets of 1/4 inch vinyl covered plywood for the bottom top and back which usually costs @ $10.00 per 4x8 sheetbut i got on a closeout for $2.00 per sheet
3 inch screws cost about $4.00 and finish nails $1.00
2 hinges at aco cost @ a buck And two magnetic cabinette closures cost me @ $3.00
Oh a handle depending on how fancy you want to get $1.00-$5.00
is the usual for them
And last but not least you can either paint or stain and seal
the wood to be water resistant and look nice
I put this together in a few hours but its not finished
just one little word of advice take a tape measure when you go get a plant/tree for the inside...lol
So for @ $100.00 I got a custom made cage 6x5x3 that i am satisfied with!!!
IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST ME PREMADE?

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Thanks Dennis
My Ark List (Almost There)
1.1 Ambilobe
1.1 Noseybe (My Wife's)
1.1.15.50 Veiled Blue Phase 0.0.14 Yellow Phase
??1.1?? Mellers
2.2 B.Decaryi
2.2 R.Brevs
1.1 Bearded Dragons (My Wife's)
1.1 Leopard Geckos
1.1.1 D. Azureus (frogs)
0.0.2 D.Auratus (frogs)
1.1 Lionshead Wabbits (My Wife's)
0.1 Cat (Calico)
0.1 Dalmation (Scooter) (My Daughters)
1.1 Tarantula Rose Hair (My Daughters)

JUST got done building this. So glad I did it. I totally agree with on the commercial stuff.

-roo

another pic.

last pic

now THAT is one awesome cage!!! Good job!
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Raf

1.0 Jacksons baby (Frankie)
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
1.3 Bearded Dragons (Diego, Ginger, Baby and Georgia)
1.1 Adult Sulcattas (POOPIE and George)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY)
0.0.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis)
1.0 Yellow Footed Tortoise (Alfred)
1.1 3 toed turtles
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too

I like the side "panels" that hold the lights - are those MV? Everything looks so neat, too!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.5 Mad. Hissers
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
?.? Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula (no name yet)

Thanks. They are 150w basking bulbs, the top light is a 100w powersun.

-roo

Excellent job! Really well thought out! Nice to see one that looks like it has some space to it too.

Thanks Carlton, I am very proud of it. Its 4'high, 30" deep, and 44" wide. Odd dimensions so that it fits on the steel rack I have.

-roo

Yeah, I know all about odd dimensions! I prowl the local landfill for cage bottom ideas and have used old refrigerator drain pans, industrial AC condensation trays, or commercial hydroponics "flood tables" as bases for cham cages and found they are often odd sizes. The flood tables are great, as they are light weight ABS, you can often order them with a sump or an installed drain fitting, and the cage frame can rest on the tray bottom's molded ridges instead of sitting directly in water. But, trying to find a stand for the things was a pain. Two build-it-yourself ABS saw horses work, but you just have to hope you never need to move it! I'll be interested to see how your wood frame looks after a while too.

I got my plastic bottom from a local company, wasn’t cheap – 35.00. Why do ask about the wood? I gave it 3 coats of polycylic. I also sealed all the seems with silicon.

-roo

I use only wood for my bases, with several coats of paint. I use a plywood base for the floor, covered with vinyl flooring. I get it cheap thru my work, or you can get in good with a vinly flooring store and get scraps, because thats all you really need is scraps like 2x2 or whatever size your cage bottom is..

Oh, I just meant that over time the surface may get discolored by minerals in your water that's all. You may find someday that you need to put a new coat of sealer on the wood.