Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey for anyone interested. I'm building two 20 slot racks for Sterilite 1754 tubs. When I went to Home Depot for the melamine, I was pleasantly surprised, they had a whole stack of new, undamaged shelves. I bought 10 each 8' x 15 7/8 shelves and a full sheet of white vinyl 1/4" for the back.

Both racks Will have belly heat and will be built using cabinet maker methods. Each rack has 1 slots or 11 shelves.

First evening I sliced up 6 of the shelves into 24 23 1/2" shelves. That's 20 shelves, 2 tops and two pieces to cut up later for fillers. The 20 shelves needed to be routed for the 3" heat tape. I used my table saw set up with a dado cutter to cut the slots. It took 4 passes to get the slots wide enough. I also routed the ends so I could thread the heat tape through the whole rack.

Phew, nice stack of pieces.

Second evening, I cut the sides to length 10 x (6.25" tub plus .75 shelf) = 70" plus top and some extra for toe base = 76"

Also drilled pocket holes in bottom side of all 20 shelves and the 2 tops.

Next step will be to cut spacers and assemble starting with the top and working down.
This way the surplus length on the sides will be left at the bottom. once done installing shelves I'll size the filler for the bottom and install it set back a few inches from the front as a toe space.
I'll post more pics as I progress.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

looks like your doing a fantastic job.i was wondering why your putting a back on,is it needed for strengh? the last rack i built i put reflectix insulation on the back and it's unbelievable.in a cold room you can pull out a tub and stick your face in the opening and feel heat on your face.i've checked temps in each tub and from back to front (i also use belly heat) the temps change every 1.5-2 inches.can't wait to see your pix of the completed rack,have fun!

Old habits die hard, without a face frame the rack could "rack" or go out of square. The back will hold the whole thing square. Plus force the heat to escape towards the front. I will be putting these racks in the closet of my snake room. Since the whole room is warm, the heat tape won't be working hard. I have some Helix thermostats to control them.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Those shelves can be very handy and the edge-banding is done really well. I always use bull-nosed melamine shelving from Menards for my sweaterbox racks.

Are those pocket holes in the cut shelves? Are you using a combination of pocket holes and dados? Should make for a strong rack, LOL.

Yes they are quite handy, only have to cut to length.

I am using pocket screws but not dadoing the shelves in. Don't need a tank of a rack
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

>>Hey for anyone interested. I'm building two 20 slot racks for Sterilite 1754 tubs. When I went to Home Depot for the melamine, I was pleasantly surprised, they had a whole stack of new, undamaged shelves. I bought 10 each 8' x 15 7/8 shelves and a full sheet of white vinyl 1/4" for the back.
>>
>>Both racks Will have belly heat and will be built using cabinet maker methods. Each rack has 1 slots or 11 shelves.
>>
>>First evening I sliced up 6 of the shelves into 24 23 1/2" shelves. That's 20 shelves, 2 tops and two pieces to cut up later for fillers. The 20 shelves needed to be routed for the 3" heat tape. I used my table saw set up with a dado cutter to cut the slots. It took 4 passes to get the slots wide enough. I also routed the ends so I could thread the heat tape through the whole rack.
>>
>>Phew, nice stack of pieces.
>>
>>
>>
>>Second evening, I cut the sides to length 10 x (6.25" tub plus .75 shelf) = 70" plus top and some extra for toe base = 76"
>>
>>Also drilled pocket holes in bottom side of all 20 shelves and the 2 tops.
>>
>>
>>
>>Next step will be to cut spacers and assemble starting with the top and working down.
>>This way the surplus length on the sides will be left at the bottom. once done installing shelves I'll size the filler for the bottom and install it set back a few inches from the front as a toe space.
>>I'll post more pics as I progress.
>>-----
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"
>>
>>
>>0.1 Wife (WC)
>>0.2 kids (CBB)
>>4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
>>1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
>>0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
>>0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
>>1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
>>0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
>>0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
>>0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
>>1.0 BCI albino het stripe
>>1.0 BCI salmon hypo
>>0.1 BCI ghost
>>
>>lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Time for assembly, first up is attaching the top. I clamped the heck out of it to keep the top from shifting while I screwed in the pocket screws.

Then for the second shelf I stood up the top and sides (upside-down). I cut some spacers to hold the shelves the correct distance apart. Again I used lots of clamps to hold everything just right while I ran in the pocket screws.

Here's how it looked with more shelves installed.

And finally, here they both are assembled and in the snake room. Still have to finish the heat tape and add the back but mostly done. On the left is the back of one rack and starting to thread the heat tape. On the right is the front of the other. When they are done they'll go in the closet woth the hatchling racks.

All in all was pretty easy and I think they came out great. Helped having the right tools.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Very Nice ...

Did you use the kreg pocket jig or was it a air table for the pocket holes ? I take it you were/are a cabinet maker aswell ? very nice job. I really miss the Wood... lol Use to have my own cabinet & remodeling business. Im actually working on opening up one where i use to live to do small wood working projects , a good friend has alot fo my old equipment he bought and its just sitting gathering dust lol for 2 1/2 yrs and was about 2 yrs old when he bought it from me . o well im rambling .... sigh lol take care
-----
Builder of Professional Reptile Enclosures ,Plastic caging , Standard & Professional Breeder Rack Systems[url=http://www.junglehabitatsplastics.com[/url]

I have the full Kreg jig set. Used the table mounted one. While not a "pro", I do love to play with wood and have accumulated a nice collection of tools to allow me to pursue that hobby as well. I even made my own arched, raised panel door kitchen cabinets. Funny, my tools seem to collect (generate) a LOT of dust Everything in the garage is usually coated with a layer of fine dust. My leaf blower is a fine tool for cleaning the garage.
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Congrats ....

Thats the ONE THING i dont miss with wood .. DUST in places dust shouldnt be allowed to get lol Plastic is ALMOST as much fun and less dusty for the most part.
-----
Builder of Professional Reptile Enclosures ,Plastic caging , Standard & Professional Breeder Rack Systems
junglehabitatsplastics.com/

Dave,

Thanks for keeping us posted. The more construction pics around here the better. Couple of comments/questions.

1) I thought part of the Kreg systems appeal is not needing clamps? Why did you use both?

2) Would love to see pictures of your kitchen cabinets.

For years I prided myself on doing all of my woodworking with little more than a circular saw with and edge-guide and a router. Now that I'm getting a bit older and have actually have some disposable income I'm putting together a shop. Of course my current job does not allow me to use any of it, LOL.

At any rate, I may do some vanities and built-ins around my house. I'll probably leave the kitchen cabinets to the pros, depending on my work schedule. Everyone I know says I'm more than up to the task, but I'm such a perfectionist I may drive myself crazy.

Hey Chris, First off, thank you for all your good work here on the caging forum. I see you offering great advice all over the place. I think it may have been some or you posts that:

A) got me started on building my own racks and
B) posted the construction pics along with comments.

In answer to your questions:

1) The Kreg system still does need clamps to hold the workpieces together while driving the screw. If not clamped, they can (and usually do) move. With the racks, tollerences are tight for the tubs and I wanted to be absolutely certain they were dead nuts straight and square. If you look at the pics you can see I not only have the shelf sitting on the spacers but have pieces clamped above the shelf to hold it down and clamps sideways to hold the sides to the shelf. There is a second set of clamps on the other side. The real beauty of the Kreg system is once the screws are driven, it's time to take off the clamps no need to wait for any glue to dry (when using glue). I built my racks dry, not a drop of glue. The screws will be more than sufficient to hold it together without movement of the pieces. Not recommended for typical wood - wood aplications but with melamine, the joint is particle board to melamine surface....not a very good glue joint anyways.

2) I'll post some pics, maybe tonight, in a new "off topic" thread.

I have to admit, almost my entire shop was paid for by raising rodents. I started by raising some for my self since the pet store prices were so steep. Not too much after that, I had too many. Started selling to my local pet store, at the time their breeder was flakey. I went into full production and supplied them with all they needed. We had a weekly order they committed to and adjusted from time to time and I did my best to fill it. Usually had no problems. The profits went into power tools, diamonds for my wife and even helped on the down payment for our second home. I was clearing several hundred a month and kept the money seperate. I still raise my own but got out of the breeding for profit, it was leaving me with too little time for my snakes which was why I started breeding rodents in the first place. BTW, for those interested, the mice were signficantly more profitible than rats. They eat much less and the volume the store wanted was way higher than rats.

A whole kitchen job is HUGE, I have several spots with no hair left now But all in all, WOW and I can say I made them. Most people are totally surprised and quite impressed.

-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Okay, that makes sense about the pocket hole jig. In fact I was shopping for a corner clamp to use along with a pocket hole jig so I should have figured it out.

Will you have the pocket holes on the top side of each shelf (where the box rests) or on the underside (which is essentially the lid of each box)?

I do think I'll forgo the kitchen remodel. There are just too many neat design elements that I may overlook vs. having a pro do it.

chris ... for kicks grins n giggles ....

do you have a layout / plan of the kitchen ? i still have one very OLD design prgm left on my pc that didnt go with the shop sell. Id love to play around with the designs for fun and posting them for kicks lol
-----
Builder of Professional Reptile Enclosures ,Plastic caging , Standard & Professional Breeder Rack Systems
junglehabitatsplastics.com/

>> do you have a layout / plan of the kitchen ?

Well yes and no. Our kitchen is part of a great room so the floor plan is mostly up to us. It's one of those things where you really need to see the great room to get the full effect. Seeing a floor plan of the room does not do justice the views we have out some of our windows and into our loft where my wife's orchids will go.

We have a lot of choices.

I put the holes on the underside, one less place to catch dust. Also had to space them so they would not interfere with the heat tape threading frpom shelf to shelf. I used three for each side, 6 total per shelf. One toward the front, one in the middle and one toward the back. I cut the recess for the heat tape so it would be under the box when fully inserted, was about 2" from the back. to be uniform, I put a piece of painters tape on the Kreg Jig (the support the wood rests on) and made three marks where to put the end of the board for each pocket hole.

I also pocket hole'd the two base filler pieces for each rack. The front was recessed 2" and the back was flush. Didn't want to leave the underside open, one less place for any escapee's to hide. 156 total pocket holes/screws....phew!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave "Rainbows-R-Us"

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB)
4.12 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 Het for Hypomelanistic BRB
0.1 BCI "Elvira" normal from 1989
1.0 BCI albino / het-anery
0.1 BCI Hypo / het-albino
0.1 BCI Anery / het-albino
0.1 BCI Hypo (possible super)
1.0 BCI albino het stripe
1.0 BCI salmon hypo
0.1 BCI ghost

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats