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Lighter wood than melamine for rack?
Hi,
Well, here goes nothing--I'm preparing to buy the materials for my first rack to make myself.
I had a question though; what are the benefits for using melamine? I see most racks made out of melamine that are very tall, but I'm planning to make several "racks" that is maybe 3-5 shelves tall.
Can I use a lighter wood without a problem? Melamine is heavy and since MAx and I might move into an apartment soon, I don't want to have to lug tons of pounds worth of melamine on just ONE rack up the stairs to move it in.
Any suggestions for lighter wood that is as durable and sturdy? Like I said it's not going to be tall, so I'll probably reinforce the sides just in case but there shouldn't be too much weight on any one rack.
Thanks guys
2.3 normal ball pythons
.1 ultramel motley het caramel corn snake
1. butter motley het caramel+stripe corn snake
1. fiance I had to rehome my kitty, and my dog got cancer and we put her down. RIP.(Did I forget anything?? )
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Re: Lighter wood than melamine for rack?
Hi,
The benefits of melamine are price (it's very cheap ), durability (the plastic coating ) and the fact it comes in a range of colours.
You could build your rack out of wood but just remember you have to seal it as well when working out the cost.
You could also try and find the price for the plastic people have used.
dr del
Derek
7 adult Royals (2.5), 1.0 COS Pastel, 1.0 Enchi, 1.1 Lesser platty Royal python, 1.1 Black pastel Royal python, 0.1 Blue eyed leucistic ( Super lesser), 0.1 Piebald Royal python, 1.0 Sinaloan milk snake 1.0 crested gecko and 1 bad case of ETS. no wife, no surprise.
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What do you mean "seal" it?
I could always just go for melamine and still keep my plans--just make them not as tall as most other people's are.
Actually, maybe I should just do that.
I guess I'll just stick with melamine, but what do you mean "seal"?
2.3 normal ball pythons
.1 ultramel motley het caramel corn snake
1. butter motley het caramel+stripe corn snake
1. fiance I had to rehome my kitty, and my dog got cancer and we put her down. RIP.(Did I forget anything?? )
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Re: Lighter wood than melamine for rack?
Originally Posted by shelliebear
What do you mean "seal" it?
I could always just go for melamine and still keep my plans--just make them not as tall as most other people's are.
Actually, maybe I should just do that.
I guess I'll just stick with melamine, but what do you mean "seal"?
I'm pretty sure he means a water proof coating. Humidity will probably cause the wood to rot after a while.
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Kinra For This Useful Post:
dr del (05-12-2011),PitOnTheProwl (05-12-2011)
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Re: Lighter wood than melamine for rack?
Hi,
Sealing, in this context, means using a good quality hard wearing varnish to protect the wood from the moisture in the snakes enclosure.
Melamine already has a layer of plastic to protect it but, if you didn't treat normal wood, it would start warping and twisting and probably end up with mold and things growing on it.
dr del
Derek
7 adult Royals (2.5), 1.0 COS Pastel, 1.0 Enchi, 1.1 Lesser platty Royal python, 1.1 Black pastel Royal python, 0.1 Blue eyed leucistic ( Super lesser), 0.1 Piebald Royal python, 1.0 Sinaloan milk snake 1.0 crested gecko and 1 bad case of ETS. no wife, no surprise.
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The Following User Says Thank You to dr del For This Useful Post:
PitOnTheProwl (05-12-2011)
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Wood shouldn't be used unless you seal it, Melamine is "sealed" as it has a plastic coating over the wood.
My 10 space melamine rack is 5 high and 2 wide so it isn't too tall but it weighs a ton
If you build 5 tub single stack melamine racks it shouldn't be so heavy that 2 people can't carry it even up stairs.
Jerry Robertson
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Why not use XPVC? Lighter, cheap, and no issues with cleaning or humidity. I put up a DIY thread not too long ago and you're located in the same state so I bet you have access to the same $85 sheets of 1/2" XPVC. They even cut it to my spec.
Regards,
B
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Simple Man For This Useful Post:
dr del (05-12-2011),snakesRkewl (05-12-2011)
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If you have access to a good cabinet supply shop you could ask for some prefinished plywood. It has a 2 part epoxy finish that is baked on. It comes in 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4. It is WAY lighter than melamine ant when you buy as much as we do it is only 4 bucks more a sheet.
Heres some i built with it.
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If you are looking for light weight the expanded PVC would be the way to go...but...it is more expensive than melamine. I would suggest using melamine and keeping the individual racks small, 3-5 tubs, then stack them to conserve space. They are sturdy enough they will stack just fine.
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