Building cages

[Crested_Freak]

Would Plexi Glass work for a siding of a cage? Nice and see through, and its light. Im going to go get some wood I believe and start making a couple of cages, maybe ill sale some :lol: . But anyhow, just trying it out right now. What does everyone reccomend for siding and framing and etc?

Mitch

[starwarsdad]

Plexi is OK, but be aware of a few potential problems. It is easily scratched. It is easily scratched and/or discolored if you use the wrong type of cleaner or towel. When trying to drill it go SLOW, and make sure to have something backing it that the drill can go into after exiting the plexi. It will crack. There are drill bits made for drilling plexi but I would heed the above even using a specialized bit.

[sputnik]

Most of my cages that I built are made of wood. I use plexi for the windows on the doors for these cages pictured.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/Scottster/Misc/IM002940.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/Scottster/Misc/IM002941.jpg

You can screw plexi glass onto wood, but you do have to be careful when drilling through it and you can cut it with a jigsaw too, but be careful... don't buy real thin plexi if you want to cut it that way.... slow and steady wins the race.

It does scratch... lizards will trash it, anything with claws will trash it, but snakes shouldn't.

[Haroldo]

Nice looking cages Sputnik. What are you covering them with-> what's that black/grey coating on the outside of the cages?

[sputnik]

The cages, I painted with black paint and then used a granite immitation spray to get the grey granite look. As you can see, I need to touch up one spot of black paint with the granite finish :roll:

[Haroldo]

I always wondered about painting a wood cage. Did you use complete spray paint for the job? I am planning to build a few cages out of mdf and was contemplating painting the sides after filling the wood in and sanded it down.

[sputnik]

What I use is a black latex paint, then buy a spray can of the granite finish and spray it when dry. So, paint it and then spray it! Do it outside, the fumes from the spray can can be pretty intense!

I paint the inside of the cages with a latex paint also, using whatever color I feel right for the animal. Sealing the parts that join (Floor to the sides etc) and then I apply 3 or 4 heavy coats of latex paint which provides excellant protection from moisture... tipped over water bowls etc!

[sircat]

those are really nice cagse scott

[sputnik]

those are really nice cagse scott

Thanks for the compliments.... but, I wouldn't say they were nice, I'm about to ditch them as soon as I get my rack built.

[sircat]

aww...though I'm hoping to be able to get racks soon so I can take in just a few more snakes and then breed my corns