Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question...(again) for those of you with custom cages what type of wood do you use? because I am looking for something light and cheap.at first I was thinking particle board... but that is made of pine I think... and a dead snake is no good to me any ideas? I am wanting a 4x2x2 with a sliding glass front. I plan to line the inside of the cage with the plastic that is used to line shower walls...Anyone know of a glue that won't suffocate my snakes?
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"

>>at first I was thinking particle board... but that is made of pine I think... and a dead snake is no good to me any ideas?

You'll need to seal the particle board anyways so the pine it contains will not be an issue. But particle board is very heavy.

Light and cheap is a difficult combination, especially if you buy a material that needs finishing work on the inside and outside. One thing that you can use in hollow-core doors. See Riobravoreptiles.com and go to the rack-building page. Similar techniques can be used to build a cage that is reasonably light and reasonably cheap.

>>I plan to line the inside of the cage with the plastic that is used to line shower walls...Anyone know of a glue that won't suffocate my snakes?

Most any glue is safe with proper time to allow offgassing.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

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-Doug Daly

"Aren't you two a little old to be drinking illegally?"

0.1.0 Leucistic Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe Obsoleta lindheimerii)

I did not mention melamine since the OP indicated weight was important. But for an inexpensive cage melamine is still hard to beat.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

well, it can be a little heavy, I just want something that can be moved if necessary and take no more than 2 ppl to move it. also, I don't plan on treating the wood..just lining the inside with plastic. I don't particularly care how it looks. where could I get melamine?
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"

Melamine is available at most Home Depot's and other home-improvement centers.

One way to improve the water resistance of melamine is to laminate the interior with the vinyl film used in the sign industry. Very similar application as the contact paper used by Green Tree Python keepers. However, the vinyl film is more durable, cheaper, and easier to apply.

What I really like about it is how easy it is to repair or add another layer if it takes abuse. If you only need enough for one cage I might be able to send you a small amount. I would check locally first.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

send me melamine or the sealant? I'm going to home depot soon to check prices. if it was the wood you were going to send I need enough for a 4x2x2 with a sliding glass/plastic front.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"

>>send me melamine or the sealant?

Sorry, I meant the vinyl film for making the interior water/scuff resistant. I think I paid 26 cents per square foot which is about the same as paying $8 for a full sheet of shower board.

Personally, I would use this over the plastic for shower interiors. More because of the colors and ease of application and repair rather than actual performance.

One thing to note about the shower stuff is that some of it is not actually rated for use within shower stalls. Pay attention to this when picking it out.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I couldn't find the acrylic.... all the idiots could show me was the paint on wood sealant acrylic. that isn't what you meant is it? I was thinking something peal and stick... would the paint on acrylic work if you let it set for a week or 2 before introducing the snake? thanks for all your help.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"

That acrylic sealer will do nothing for melamine. The stuff I'm talking about would only be available from a sign shop. It is peel and stick. Call and tell them you want some basic 5 year vinyl. I have no idea how much they'll charge you. I bought a roll in bulk and paid 26 cents per square foot.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)