So I have decided to make some PVC cages for myself instead of buying them. I figured I could save some serious money after building 5 or 6 of them, so I have planned and researched and finally came up with a good idea of what I wanted. No surprise, it looks a whole lot like the manufactured ones out there. First I drafted up some plans and went to work making a jig that I could use over and over again. Basically I wanted something to hold the plastic while I heated it up and bent the corners, so I came up with a box made of MDF with rounded corners and a system of braces built in to hold the plastic in place while I bend it. It ended up working pretty well for the test run, though there are some adjustments to be made. I made another jig for cutting the door but I didn't like the end result (it was about 1/8 inch off...) so I will be building another jig for the next test. Anyway, after I get the kinks worked out, I will be able to build 3' X 2' X 1' cages with clear doors and good hardware with flexwatt heat for under 100 bucks each! That's LESS THAN HALF of what I would pay for the cage if I ordered it! Plus, it gives me something to tinker with while my snakes are growing up! Let me know what you think!

Starting out by securing Expanded PVC in jig.


First bend made and second side secured in brace.


Bending the next corner.


My girlfriend doing a little bending with the Bosch heat gun.


The cage all bent up and ready to remove from the jig.


The cage, removed from the jig.


Sides installed.


Finished cage, without doors, heat, etc...