PVC Racks

Hey guys I live in the Asheville NC region and I am trying to build a rack for myself and obviously melamine was going to be easier but I was also considering PVC enclosure instead so that I could have the black color and not worry about sag. for the life of me I can not find a supplier for PVC or "black" melamine board in my area...any one have some suggestions. Trying to keep it fairly budget but yet have it enclosed.

See if there are any sign stores local to you, they usually have sheets of PVC.

Interested in this question too, although I'm in a different location. Out of curiosity, is this (see link below) the material I would be looking for to build with? I currently have one homemade melamine rack and have had to move it twice (what a PIA!) Would be interested in exploring PVC for my next one, but wanted to see if this was the right stuff.

A Local Plastic Supplier

phew...just priced it at a local sign shop. 4'x8' board prices as so...

-White-

1/2" -180$ per sheet

1/4" - 90$ per sheet

1/8" - 50$ per sheet

-Colored-

give or take 10$ on previous prices for white...does this sound about right? that's pretty pricey for my first rack lol, what thickness is optimal for holding in temps correctly?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FoxReptiles

Interested in this question too, although I'm in a different location. Out of curiosity, is this (see link below) the material I would be looking for to build with? I currently have one homemade melamine rack and have had to move it twice (what a PIA!) Would be interested in exploring PVC for my next one, but wanted to see if this was the right stuff.

A Local Plastic Supplier

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That's the stuff.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by joefer13

phew...just priced it at a local sign shop. 4'x8' board prices as so...

-White-

1/2" -180$ per sheet

1/4" - 90$ per sheet

1/8" - 50$ per sheet

-Colored-

give or take 10$ on previous prices for white...does this sound about right? that's pretty pricey for my first rack lol, what thickness is optimal for holding in temps correctly?

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I would go with at least 1/4" if not 1/2". Even with a well insulated rack you will still need to keep the room the rack is in at least 75 degrees.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FoxReptiles

Interested in this question too, although I'm in a different location. Out of curiosity, is this (see link below) the material I would be looking for to build with? I currently have one homemade melamine rack and have had to move it twice (what a PIA!) Would be interested in exploring PVC for my next one, but wanted to see if this was the right stuff.

A Local Plastic Supplier

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This is full pvc it is very heavy and hard. I use it for bottom of enclosures but not tops or sides as it is a poor insulator. Typically racks are not made from plain pvc (weight is very heavy 1/4 inch is about 60 lbs a sheet) But from PVCx or expanded pvc that is full of air bubbles it is quite a lot lighter and not as strong but much easier to work with.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/...arch_id=991501

Expanded PVC in 1/4 is fairly soft I usually use 3/8th myself but 1/2 is better. If you are speaking of full pvc 1/4, 1/2 is too heavy. The retail price is very high sometimes it can be found cheaper from a plastics manufacturer whom buys it wholesale and may sell it below retail. Sometimes speaking to the sign places in person you can find a sheet that has a damaged corner or marks that will reduce the price on it.

I have to agree with Kitedemon. You don't want to go with solid pvc. It will be almost as heavy as melamine which for me defeats the purpose. You'll most likely want to get expanded pvc. I have built 2 racks from this. I personally bought 10mm which is just just smaller than 1/2". It is nice and stable and light. I pay about $76 a sheet from a local plastics provider. They even cut it to my dimensions and deliver to my home for free. I am local so they have a truck that delivers to my area each day. All I have to do is screw it all together and add heat. This is specifically what I get from this supplier.

http://www.regionalsupply.com/defaul...MM&catlist=198

Thanks for clearing it up for me guys. I will probably be doing another rack project in the near future and will definitely go with PVC over melamine this time.

Does anyone know of any DIY Rack tutorials or examples out there using expanded PVC. I've found many melamine examples but haven't seen near as many using PVC. I always like seeing what other people have come up with before decided how I want to tackle the project.

If anyone knows of a good example, tutorial or video. I would be greatly appreciative if you would share.

Here is a link to the write up Simpleman has for the rack he built :)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...light=diy+xpvc

I also found XPCV sheet for about $60 a sheet at a local sign shop so I would give them a try