New rack in progress

[RedseaReefer]

In the next few weeks ill be working on and constructing my new rack "system" for my beautiful ball pythons

Today a lot actually happened(besides planning wishing and hoping) I picked up a sheet of melamine from the depot they cut it for me no charge especially since I had brought with me plans and list of sizes I needed. And as I read from several posts and directly off animal plastics website I went to target after tubs. Sure enough there were the fabled purple handled 15 and 32 quart tubs.

Here's a few of the shelves and tubs stacked up




Still on the list:

Stat(either a helix DBS-1000, or herpstat 1 or 2)

Heat tape I believe I'll go with flexwatt iv read alot about also. I think I can find it somewhere pre-wired. For a 5 shelf rack should I go with a single 10ft length of flexwatt or, should I maybe order two 5 foot lengths?

Some kind of substrate (iv not read alot or thought alo about this yet)


Later this week I plan on routing out some channels for the flexwatt to snake throughout the shelves, as well as a few spots for probes. Then it will just be a matter of putting the thing together. Hopefully ill grab alot of pictures during the reprocess ^.^ I'm sure I'm forgetting something.... but I guess that's all for now!

[nimblykimbly]

Very nice! Keep those pics coming!

http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape

Here's where I got my flexwatt - they prewired free of charge and have some of the most reasonable prices I've found plus they are super helpful.

Good luck!

[RedseaReefer]

Incoming from bean farm!!

1 x Helix DBS1000 Proportional Therm (22001) = $139.00
10 x Flexwatt Heat Tape - 4 in. (16001) = $24.00
1 x Flexwatt - Clip Sets for Heat Tape (16004) = $2.70
1 x Flexwatt - Cord Set (16006) = $2.50
12 x Mealworm Feeder/Water Dish - Large (18045) = $4.80
------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total: $173.00
United Parcel Service (1 x 7.425lbs) (Ground): $17.24
Total: $190.24

should be doing the routing for the tape and probe channels tomorrow during the day

[nimblykimbly]

Nice! Can't wait to see what you do!

[RedseaReefer]

Here are the sketchy plans I used to get the sheet cut



and plan all my lengths and such haha





Sloppy routing plans for tomorrow



4.5"x 1/4" channels for the heat tape to completely avoid rubbing wear, same 4.5"x1/4" channels down the legs to snake it through the shelves. and I'm thinking a 1/2"x1/4" channel for the probe on one of the shelves.

I think I decided on starting the tape channel about 3.5" away from the back of the 18" deep shelves that way the heat would stop about 1" from the middle of the shelf.

[RedseaReefer]

Well it's a little more difficult that I had anticipated to cut these "dado"s, or channels as iv been calling them, for the heat tape. But i make the first cut on each board.. I ended up taking it to a woodworking shop to finish the dados and they said it'd cost me at most $65 so ill pick em up tomorrow.. It's too cold to be outside doing all that cutting anyway haha



Hopefully be all together by next weekend.
Called beanfarm.com today they said my order would ship out today so I should have tracking by tomorrow. More updates soon!

[kitedemon]

If I may make a suggestion, I would suggest sealing the exposed parts of the particle board substrate with something like safecoat hard seal. This will keep the particle board from out gassing formaldehyde gasses and seal moisture out.

http://www.afmsafecoat.com/products.php?page=2

[HerpIsAhobby]

Can't wait to see the finished product.

[RedseaReefer]

Update as promised..

Picked up the lumber today from my local woodworking shop, all 7 sheets cuts for $35. Pretty reasonable considering I dropped it off around 4 last nihht and picked it up this morning about 11. Anyway here are the new recess cuts






Didn't really want it cut all the way to the front but hey just as much my fault for not clairifieing.



Slot down the side so it can be snaked" no pun intended lol!

[RedseaReefer]

Assembled and taped up for visual inspection purposes..

The back is about 1/2" short on width so I think ill get some brackets to bridge the gap between the legs and back to make secure corners and a rigid structure in general. Looks great though!!



I might get some kind of edging to seal the edges. Maybe not till my next rack