Rat Rack

[tomfromtheshade]

I took a crappy snowy day here to build a rack. I will be building three more this week and I am considering a DIY thread with pictures.

Its your standard five level large mixing tub rack. The rack is 27.25" x 37" x 66" (without casters...68" with casters). The construction is all 2x3s with 2.5" coarse thread drywall screws. The hardware cloth is your standard half inch stuff secured with the help of my trusty electric power stapler (thank God).

The watering system isn't in yet, so I just stuck some bottles in there for the time being. This one will be getting casters and getting moved into the rat building next week.

[rexrem]

A DIY thread with the watering system would be a great help!

[Powerspythons]

haha, theres that doggy bag! lol.
Looks great, a question tho..

Why did you use 2x3s instead of 2x2s? I'm imagining it is cause 2x3s are easier to find straight and not warped and are sturdier..but just had to ask!

[tomfromtheshade]

The 2x3s are obviously stronger. Aside from the added strength, the 2.5" width allows two screw points which prevents swaying. If you look at the picture you will see that every connection point gets two screws. That was something I learned after I built my first rack LOL.

A few dozen racks later you make little changes here and there to make them better for you. You solve the little problems and come up with better ways of doing things.

The 2x3s also give you an extra inch of depth in your food hopper. This means that you can really fill them up when you feed, and you have to refill less often.

[tomfromtheshade]

haha, theres that doggy bag! lol.

You're damn right! LOL.

[Powerspythons]

Tom, I think you are the best advice giver on rat racks from any forum I've ever been on. Thank you for that.

Another question I came up with..(as if I havnt had enough already.lol.) Where do you find such big tubs? The biggest mixing tubs I can find that dont have ridges in the bottoms are 26"X20"X6".

[tomfromtheshade]

I bought everything that you need to build the rack at Home Depot. They will even cut the wood for you, if you don't own a saw.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

These are the tubs that I use for breeding. They're 36x24x8.

[suzuki4life]

your use of 2x3's and spacing costed you the 6th tub.

so yes you gain more food capacity, but you cost yourself space which it most valuable.

my design is 6 high and I have switched to dual valves per tub.

[JAYGEE]

Looks good, looking forward to a DIY with pics!

[Lthv]

I agree a diy for this rack would be really helpful! =]