Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I just drew a pretty generic first draft of how I want my cage to be. Keep in mind as suggestions come the pictures will be more elaborate. I want to use plywood or melamine sheets. I will probably go with melamine INSIDE the cage of plywood, probably on the sides and floor of the outer plywood cage. I'll have to make a hole someway on the top of the plywood cage for a clamp lamp or 2. I was going with UV 18" flourescent lights for the enclosure (its for a beardie) but I don't know how that will work. I'll use the ol' nails and a hammer and a drill too if needed. I'll also use some rubber cement. I don't know how I'm going to install the runners either for the glass cuts. Should I get 2 cuts of 24" long glass by 24" high? Help me out here im not a builder...NEVER built anything but a box for some grass hoppers.

You can check out some ideas for a bearded dragon cage on my post right below yours.
Mine is 5' x 2.5' x 2'
sliding glass doors.
I used a clamp in mine as well for my MVB in a 10" dome, I didn't cut a hole in the top of my cage.
If you need help w/ ideas just let me know.

Image

Thanks steve, your cage looks VERY nice. I'm trying to do it simple because its my first time project. How do I instal runners for the glass to slide? Do I need 2 cuts of 24" by 24" glass for the 48L x 24deep x24h cage? What size screws do I use? I was thinking 1" screws. Should I put melamine sheets inside the plywood cage?.I mean I could make a plywood cage/box then put the appropriate melamine sheets inside to make it look better. I'll be making more drawings when I know what the hell I'm supposed to do.I couldn't put a link for the picture of the drill I'll be using but its a cordless 1 speed power drill for like 20 dollars Thanks for replying.

I know its cheap and I know I should get a better one but money is low and if it works then it works but if it won't make a suggestion.
Link

I liquid nail my plastic glass tracks right to the melamine, believe me its plenty strong! 1/4 inch bead applied to the top and bottom of the opening, then press down. Yes its just that simple!
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

Ok so search for liquid nails? Got it. lol. What size sheets of melemine do I need to put in the 4'x18"dx2'h enclosure? I changed it from 2' deep too 18" deep because of a floor space issue in my room. How much does 5 sheets of ply wood and 5 sheets of melemine cost all together? Atleast an estimate....

>>Ok so search for liquid nails?

Lock tite makes a similar product that is really good as well.

Got it. lol. What size sheets of melemine do I need to put in the 4'x18"dx2'h enclosure?

Solid back? Any front lip?

I changed it from 2' deep too 18" deep because of a floor space issue in my room. How much does 5 sheets of ply wood and 5 sheets of melemine cost all together? Atleast an estimate....

Melamine good quality costs around $40 a sheet birch ply costs a little cheaper at around $36 and ACX pine is cheaper at about $32 but it all depends on the store.
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

I have 1/4" glass...I went to Home Depot and bought some rails, they are plastic, made by Stanley (found in closet accessories), packaged was a top and bottom rail, 6' in length (just cut it down). It was $10, it comes with little nails for mounting, just use a nail punch to sink the nails low enough so they don't catch the glass.

I used furniture grade birch that was listed at $60 a sheet, but they had it mismarked for $26.99 that day, Yay for me!

Well how much in total did it cost you? If it was over $300 then why didn't you just buy a cage from animal plastics or vision?

My total was somewhere between $200-$250, that included the polystyrene and groute for fake rocks, the glass, tracks, stain, etc.
I didn't go with a glass cage because this was going in my living room, and I wanted a nice piece of furniture for a center piece.

I want to do a solid back and maybe some holes drilled in the back for ventilation. What about cheap melamine lol, is it still going to cost 40 bucks a sheet? I need 3 or 4 sheets so I don't think 40 for each sheet is being cost effective. I thought plywood and melemine sheets were cheap. I plan to go to home depot. I need plywood also so I hope thats cheap. I don't know maybe just buying an aqaurium and calling it a day will be better?

I would go to Home Depot, and see what they have, they have sales all the time on wood. Talk to someone in that dept. explain to them what you're doing and they can guide you w/ suggestions.

For my vents, I routed 2 4" holes on each side, and used a standard 4" drain cover ($2.99 each).

Thanks steve and bighurt, one more question, I have a 78" long by 38" long plywood in the house just sitting around.Its a half an inch thinck. Should I just get a circular saw and cut my own sheets of plywood? Heck I could make 2 cages with this big long board of plywood! All I would need is the melemine from home depot and im set.

You never answered about the glass cuts. What specific cuts do I need for a 4ft long by 4 high? I was thinking 2 cuts of 24" long by 24" high cuts, am I right?

Errr I mean 4ft long by 2ft high... I wish I could edit messages.

What may I ask are you needing the Melamine for? you can just use the normal plywood, just use a good stain to seal the inside of the wood and you'll be fine. The cage doesn't need to be waterproof since you're putting a beardie in it.
As for your glass, it all depends on what you want your cage to look like. I would wait till you have your wood all put together. If you're using the Stanley track like I did, then it will tell you how to come up with size glass you should cut..leaves just enough room to slide into the top track to get the bottom in, and fit nice.

On the front of my cage, the glass acually goes behind those front side pieces of wood on my tank. Gave it a nice sleek look.

So I don't need melamine for a beardie? That makes it easier. I have no Idea what I was going to use it for, its just that a lot of people use it. Now for the rail, how long is it? It comes with a guide and everything? Does it need to be 4foot long since I have a 4ft long piece of wood?. Can you post a picture of the rail for me? I would greatly appreciate it.Kind of confusing. I don't want to start making everything and just get stuck.

you can kind of see the rail in the top right corner of this photo.
Yes it does come with a little instruction sheet that tells you how big to cut your glass so it fits in the rails right. and no you don't need melamine, all it is, is particle board w/ a plastic laminate on it. Using plywood w/ an outdoor waterproof stain (what i used on the inside) will work just fine.

THANKS! steve, Ok so where do I get the outdoor stain? Home depot sells it? Will they cut it for me or does it come in pre made cuts? How much was the stain? How did you get that flourescent light up there? Did you glew it up there? also does the rail come with a glew? it looks like your rail is glued to the top, or is it nailed? Thanks steve you've been more than helpful. How many rails should I get?

Home Depot should have everything you need.
The rail is 6' long, comes w/ both top and bottom, $10...just cut it yourself to the size you need. I did not use glue on the rails, just the nails that came w/ the rail. when you use the nail punch, it pushes the head of the nail into the rail so it glides nicely. Home Depot will make 2 cuts for the wood for free, every cut after that is only a quarter. The stain I used was left over at the house, it's just an oil based outdoor/waterproof stain.

Well I HOPE this works, I can really see this happening now. Only thing is that I need to wait for my circular saw that im ordering and the drill. Plus I need to go out and get an extra cut of ply wood. I didn't know you needed special cuts for the rail. I was thinking to make my own slits with the saw and hopefully get the rail in there. Then I need the glass cuts. the water proof stain and maybe some grout. I think thats it though. Anyway Thanks steve, I really appreciate it, we've been talking for 3 hours or so lol. Thanks. Hopefully I can build this cage.

good luck

You might think about a 2 or 3 inch wall in the front. They call it a litter trap. I used white kitchen and bath caulk in all of my edges. I also used melamine instead of wood because it in non porous like wood. To attach the glass track, I used liquid nails. A 2 week offgassing period should be used for caulk and liquid nails to be safe. I used 2 or 3 inch soffet vent from lowes for venting, depending on how much humidty you need. I have seen glass track sold in 6 foot sections. It is good to keep 1 running piece of track if possible. If there are any questions let me know.

If you have a Home Depot near you, they have several different sizes of melamine already cut. You might find a size you like without much cutting. The cage in the picture is 36" wide x 16" deep x 17" high. The top and bottom did not have to be cut. The sides were one piece like the top cut in just about half. the back was another piece with very little cut off. The whole thing you see in the picture cost about $70. I am no proffessional at all, and found it is pretty easy to do. I already had most of the tools I needed, and I have access to a table saw, but Home Depot will also cut for you. They are not perfect, but they will cut for you. Good Luck? Derek

That cage in that picture only costed you 70? People said melemine is $40 a sheet. And glass is like 25 a sheet. So I don't know how that cage is only $70.

I know, it is hard to believe, but I buy the melamine in smaller pieces. At Home Depot I bought top and bottom and back 15 3/4" x 36" x 3/4" each at $6.76 each= $20.28 Sides were 1 piece cut in half minus a little bit because of my inprecise measuring at $6.76. toatal so far is 27.04. I took another one of those sheets and split it longways into 4 pieces at almost 3" each for 4 cages. Add $1.69 for 1 cages litter dam in the front. 1/4" Glass track is kind of expensive at about $22.00 for 6 feet. I cut it into 2 pieces for 2 cages. Add 11.00 for one cage. Total so far is $39.73. I got the 1/4" glass and track from a local glass shop. The glass was 2 pieces of 11" x 20" x 1/4". I can't remember exactly how much it cost, but I believe it was about 15-20$. So add $20.00 to be safe. Total so far is $59.73. Glass lock was $9.00 and the little plastic stick on handles were $1 for 2. So far $69.73. Aluminum soffet vents at Lowes were about $6.00 for 6. So add $4.00 for those. Total so far is $73.73. 1 1/4" black self starting screws I'll say $1.00 for what it cost for 1 cage. So we're at $74.73 Bathroom and kitchen caulk and liquid nails is about 4 or 5 dollars each, but they go a very long way. All said and done for everything to build 1 cage including tax is easily less than $80, but it should be closer to $70 because I think the glass was cheaper than I said. In the gallery, I said it was $76.00. You will save money to build multiple cages by buying 4x8 sheets of melamine, but for convenience of a lot less cutting, I buy the small sizes. Of course That 70-80 dallars did not include all of the tools and clamps I already had. You would be amazed at how quick and easy it is. Hope this helps. D Derek

I think he's missing the point: You can buy pre-cut melamine "shelving" that is already cut (pre-cut) in several usable lengths and widths, from 24" up to 48".

IF you plan your build around these already cut pieces, all you have to do is put it together, and maybe cut one peice in half for the ends. They are much cheaper than buying a full 4 x 8 sheet, and don't require any work other than to screw them together.

Go to your supply house and check in the shelving isle, see what they have available, and then plan your build around the pre-cut sizes available.

Much less effort and cost required.
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"Colubrid-aphilia", adj; An inordinate love of Colubrids.

Very well put. That is what I was trying to explain, but you did a better job at it. Thanks, Derek

>>Very well put. That is what I was trying to explain, but you did a better job at it. Thanks, Derek
>>

No problem. I'm working on my cages off and on. Found a nice set of melamine boxes that are 48 x 12 x 24 at a local grocery store and am in the process of making them into cages. Waiting on glass track so I can get measurements for glass, and then final assembly.

Dan.
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"Colubrid-aphilia", adj; An inordinate love of Colubrids.

Everyone never mentioned anything about shelving melamine. if I use the shelving thing your talking about and make the cage then its very cheap even though it will be bigger than what I orignally intended. Thanks kingsnaken, no one even mentioned it...

Venom,
The reason I didn't mention the Shelving is because a lot of times it's not very good quality. Its also the same price most of the time. But if it makes it easier than go with the pre-cut shelving.

Another tip routed joints allow the material to last longer and make for a stronger cage.
Good Luck
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

>>Venom,
>>The reason I didn't mention the Shelving is because a lot of times it's not very good quality. Its also the same price most of the time. But if it makes it easier than go with the pre-cut shelving.
>>
>>Another tip routed joints allow the material to last longer and make for a stronger cage.
>>Good Luck
>>-----
>>"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer
>>
>>1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
>>2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
>>0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
>>0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
>>1.0 Ball Python
>>1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
>>1.0 Green Iguana
>>1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
>>0.3 Catus Terribilis
>>0.1 Spouse
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

>>>>The reason I didn't mention the Shelving is because a lot of times it's not very good quality.

This really depends. In fact I would say that when it comes to Home Depot and Lowes most of the time the pre-cut melamine shelving is HIGHER quality than the melamine sheets. I use the shelving preferentially over the sheets at both Home Depot and Lowes, even though it has always costed me more per square foot.

At Menards I use their melamine shelving ONLY for racks - their product is the foil coating. Melamine comes in two basic varieties, 1) melamine foil (cheaper, less durable) and 2) thermofused, which varies from 80 weight to 140 weight - the higher the number the better.

At both Lowes and Home Depot (and I have checked several around the midwest) the full melamine sheets are cheap particle board with a melamine foil coating. At the same stores the melamine shelving is often a denser particle board with a 100 or 120 weight thermofused melamine coating.

The reason why these companies use the higher grade melamine is simple - they save on tooling costs and time due to the reduced chipping characteristic of the 100 or 120 weight thermofused melamine used on the shelving.

Another "advantage" to the melamine shelves is that they often have been edge-banded. This is done at the factory by machines that cost more than my house (and I have a pretty nice house) and is a quality that is hard to match. If you can incorporate the edge-banded surfaces into a cage or rack it saves time/money and improves quality over what you can do with an iron.

Sorry to ramble on. Since most people on this forum only shop at Lowes or Home Depot I thought I should point this out. Melamine varies dramatically in quality, as I know you're already aware of. In fact I think you buy your melamine sheets from somewhere other than HD or Lowes.

Sorry to jump in. I see this thread is pretty long and I've hardly read any of it. Maybe this has already been brought up.

For my cages, I didn't use the melamine shelves that was of cheaper quality like at Lowes used for just shelving. The melamine I used was 3/4" thick. I've seen shelving that was thinner, but I decided it was't that great for caging. The 3/4" stuff that comes in different sizes in the lumber section at Home Depot is better than regular shelving. It is very heavy, and I have had very good luck with it. 3/4" finished plywood is the nicest option, but it is more expensive and alot more work to make it waterproof. Derek