Basic Rack Building Questions

Okay first things first, I'm not a builder by any means, but give me the materials and instructions and I can pretty much follow them and get the job done.

Well I gotta find out how much material I am going to need to build my rack.
I'd like to get a 5 or 6 slot rack out of a 4' x 8' sheet of expanded PVC. So here was my method to my madness, is this correct?

Can I calculate how much square feet a 4' x 8' sheet has? (answer is 32 sq ft right?) Then calculate the square feet of all my pieces (total is 31.7792 sq ft)

So then if that is correct that 4' x 8' sheet should be enough correct??

I made a drawing but basically the total dimensions of the rack will be 18.5"w x 31" h x 24"l

it should take 2 side pieces, 1 back piece, 2 kick panels(like on the bottom so the bottom rack isn't on the floor) and 6 drawer pieces(that includes the bottom and top)

thanks for any help!!! sorry if this is too crazy haha

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...085/366737.png

oh the top of the picture should read

4' x 8' sheet = 32 SQ FT - Boot Boxes 22.5" x 14 3/4" x 5 3/8"

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Originally Posted by ted1025

Can I calculate how much square feet a 4' x 8' sheet has? (answer is 32 sq ft right?) Then calculate the square feet of all my pieces (total is 31.7792 sq ft)

So then if that is correct that 4' x 8' sheet should be enough correct??

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Theoretically, yes. Practically, no. You rarely ever can make the most use out of your pieces. For example some cuts you make from the sheet will not leave enough material on the uncut side to make another piece. It looks like you've thought it out pretty well though. If you are really worried about making the most out of your material, you can find a little floor space, lay your 4'x8' pattern on the floor in masking tape and use the masking tape to tape off the cuts you will make. That way, you can plan out your cuts better without wasting anything or redesign your plans to use only one piece.

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Originally Posted by orphan

Theoretically, yes. Practically, no. You rarely ever can make the most use out of your pieces. For example some cuts you make from the sheet will not leave enough material on the uncut side to make another piece. It looks like you've thought it out pretty well though. If you are really worried about making the most out of your material, you can find a little floor space, lay your 4'x8' pattern on the floor in masking tape and use the masking tape to tape off the cuts you will make. That way, you can plan out your cuts better without wasting anything or redesign your plans to use only one piece.

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Oh, okay I see what you're saying, like the shape of the cuts and everything. That's a good idea to lay it out and all.

I had an idea, I could eliminate making the bottom kick panels I was talking about and just use regular wood, couldn't I? Since the snakes would never be touching it and it wouldn't be exposed to any humidty or heat...

I use EPVC in my racks. How do you intend to hold it all together. EPVC isn't real easy to connect together by itself without some support like wood etc...

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Originally Posted by tonkatoyman

I use EPVC in my racks. How do you intend to hold it all together. EPVC isn't real easy to connect together by itself without some support like wood etc...

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Well I was kinda following this thread...(http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...light=expanded) he just used some dry wall screws, he didnt mention anything else except be careful when drilling and screwing...

do you have any recommendations?

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Originally Posted by tonkatoyman

I use EPVC in my racks. How do you intend to hold it all together. EPVC isn't real easy to connect together by itself without some support like wood etc...

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PVC glue and screws work fine for building PVC racks/enclosures.

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Originally Posted by ted1025

Well I was kinda following this thread...(http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...light=expanded) he just used some dry wall screws, he didnt mention anything else except be careful when drilling and screwing...

do you have any recommendations?

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I have never used it this way. You learn something new everyday thanks.
But to answer your question I use it in a thinner sheet as the top cover over the tub in a wood framed rack. It is cheaper to purchase the material on sheet is 30.00 +-

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ted1025

Well I was kinda following this thread...(http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...light=expanded) he just used some dry wall screws, he didnt mention anything else except be careful when drilling and screwing...

do you have any recommendations?

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I tried building one that way and wasn't happy with the results (probably more me and less of the design), so I made my own and incorporated the PVC as well as wood.

Here's a pic of it (at bottom): http://www.blueappleherps.com/page13/page13.html

And downloadable pdf on instructions (easily adjusted for whatever size tub you're using): http://www.blueappleherps.com/page13/page14/page14.html

Hey thanks for all the replies. And thanks for the detailed instructions and idea Blue Apple, I'm gonna look into it.

Anyways, if I do decide to go with my original idea, I would use back heat. I'll do my best to explain my question but maybe I might have to draw something up....

My question is when you put the heat tape down the back of the back piece and then are screwing it in, should there be a slight gap between each of the shelves and the tape or is it okay if the tape touches the shelves?? does that make sense?