DIY rat rack

[Bdadawg]

I think this is the best place for this ... if not please feel free to move it.

Seeing as how most rat keepers try to figure out a good, cheap, rack system, I figured Id put up some detailed instructions on how to make them out of the “home depot masonry tubs”.

For the large tubs (36” x 24” x 8”) you will need:
· 4 - tubs
· 12 - 2” x 2” x 8’s
· 1 - 2” x 4” x 8’
· 4 - pieces hardware cloth 36 ½” x 24”
· 1 - staple gun and box of staples (1/2” staples)
· 4 - pieces of cardboard (about ¼” thick)
· A box of 2 ½” screws.

These are the cuts you will need … work with the layout to minimize waste (e.g. you can get 2 36” pieces and one 21 ¼” pieces out of a 2x2x8)
· A 8 – 24 ¼” x 2” x 2”
· B 8 – 33 ¾” x 2” x 2”
· C 4 – 21 ¼” x 2” x 2”
· D 4 – 16” x 2” x 2”
· E 8 – 36” x 2” x 2”
· F 4 – 48” x 2” x 2”
· G 2 – 36” x 2” x 4”

A, B, C, & D are used to make the shelf.
E makes the slide for the tubs.
F Is the legs.
G goes at the bottom of the legs to prevent sway and act as a base.

These need to be set up as in the picture below, with A on the outside of B. The holes should be pre-drilled to minimize splitting, and recessed so you don’t snag on them.

Once you have the shelves put together and set aside its time to do the legs.


Mark the legs (F) at 3”, 13 ½”, 24”, and 34 ½”. The top of the sliders (E) will go at these marks, duplicate until both sides are finished.


Stand both sides up and put a tub on the top slider and bottom slider. This will help to keep the legs standing upright. Place a piece of cardboard on each corner of the tub and place a shelf on top. You will want the divided side facing the front. The cardboard will provide enough spacing so that the tubs will slide easily, but prevent escapees.


I’ve used small pieces of 2” x 2” to act as locks and prevent the tubs from coming out.

The large rack needs to be built in the room, as it is too wide when fully assembled to go through doors. Casters can be added if desired.


For the small tub rack you will need:
· 4 - tubs
· 10 – 2” x 2” x 8’
· 1 – 2” x 4” x 8’
· 4 – 19 ½” x 28 ½” pieces of hardware cloth
· 1 – staple gun and box of ½” staples
· 4 - pieces cardboard (¼” thick)
· 1- box 2 ½” screws

Cuts needed for small rack:
· A 8 – 19 ¾” x 2” x 2”
· B 8 – 26” x 2” x 2”
· C 4 – 16 ¾” x 2” x 2”
· D 4 – 12” x 2” x 2”
· E 8 – 28” x 2” x 2”
· F 4 – 48” x 2” x 2”
· G 2 – 28” x 2” x 4”

A, B, C, & D are used to make the shelf.
E makes the slide for the tubs.
F Is the legs.
G goes at the bottom of the legs to prevent sway and act as a base.

The only difference between setup on the large & small rack is where you make the marks on the legs.

Mark the legs at 3”, 12”, 21”, and 30”. Assemble identical to large rack.

If anything is hard to understand please post back and ill see if I can explain it better.


Bryan