Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For a DIY project, how much extra PER CAGE would you be willing to pay to make the cage 1/3 the weight - so 33 lbs. instead of 100 lbs., for example. Assume that the lighter version is still stout enough that it's just as durable, won't tip over, sag, etc.

For simplicity, let's use the typical 4'x2'x2' cage as the example for this poll.

Remember, this is for do-it-yourself projects only, not commercial cages.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Assume the lighter cage does not require additional offgassing time nor anything else that will delay its being reptile-ready.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

..

I'd probobly be willing to spend 25% more or so...Cages arent gennerally moved every day so weight is not to big of an issue with me. I'd probobly be willing to pay more for a lighter material if i was building a large cage.

I would be willing to pay probably 30 to 40% more for a cage like that.

Scott

Well let me do a comparison of what I pay then I'll answer.

For doing a 4x2x1 (I don't build 4x2x2 lol) I spend roughly

$8.00 per sheet for 2 precut 4x2x1 melamine sheets.
$4.00 per sheet for 2 shelf (1/2" thick) 2x11" for sides
$4.00 per sheet of coated peg board
$8.00 for 6' package of sliding glass track
$6.00 for sylicone caulking
$25.00 give or take for glass
So roughly 60 dollars when screws and brads are added in for a melamine enclosure without a light fixture.

For doing 4x2x1 out of pvcx I spend roughly

$67.00 per sheet(highest price as of late for local pick up with individual sheet purchase) of 1/4" 4x8 thick sintra
$20.00 for a strip of 1/4" plexi glass
$5.00 for hinges and bolts
$5.00 for barrel locks
$1.00 (a small portion of adhesive)
So roughly 98 dollars for the same style enclosure (If building individiuals. I save about 35 per unit when I build 5 or more at a time)

So I would say I would spend up to 40% more on a light weight sturdy enclosure..
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

Your post is kind of what I'm getting at (or wondering).

Let's say you started with a full sheet of melamine and a full sheet of PVCX. Off the bat the PVCX will be well over twice the cost of the melamine.

But if you used the exact same type of door, hardware ventilation, etc. on both cages, the PVCX cage would end up costing only 0 to @ more.

That seems well worth it not only for the weight, but also for the greater moisture resistance of the PVCX vs. melamine.

Your example does not exactly demonstrate this since you use a different door design for your two types of cages, but sheds some light on the basic idea.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

I am actually considering a sliding glass door style for the pvcx (I will be picking up a few sheets in the next couple weeks) and if It works well then I would be saving ALOT.. Won't have to buy hinges or barrel locks, or even glass tracks. Just would need 1 sheet pvcx, a couple small pieces of plexi and a few extra cuts.. If it works out I'll try and get it posted.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

>>But if you used the exact same type of door, hardware ventilation, etc. on both cages, the PVCX cage would end up costing only 0 to @ more.

Should read 30 to 40 percent more. Forum software here has some quirky features.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)