DIY rat rack

Could you include a picture of the 1x4 braces you are using on the small racks?

Do you use these are breeding/maternity racks, or just for your feeders? I like the design and will probably add a few for my feeders (smaller ones for 4-6 week olds, and 1 larger one for 6-12 week olds.

Thanks again.

Sorry , another post. Was also wondering how many rats you plan on keeping per tub, based on age/size

The pictures are below ... the first one is a brace across the front, just because I had extra 1x4 laying around the house. The second is the 1x4 run directly center up the side. Anywhere you use bracing you should use 2 screws side by side. Not shown in the second is that the 1x2's are also drilled into it (mostly to prevent warping).


I keep 1:4 adults in the large tubs (there is still one that rotates in each colony for birth etc), the smaller ones are used for litters and/or to grow out ... Im keeping 4 8 weekers in some of the small tubs. I also still have the huge Iris tub setup for same sex juveniles (right now its males ... looks like I accidently froze all the females at 2 weeks).

front bracing
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...p/ratrack5.jpg

Side Bracing
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...p/ratrack6.jpg

Iris grow out
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...idratcage1.jpg

Bryan

d'oh.. I picked up 8 cement tubs from home depot, they had two sizes next to each other


This one measured about 22.5" x 39"

Are these different tubs? This one cost 10.94.... i didnt see any other tubs around other than the much smaller one so i figured these were the guys...

Any suggestions? I can just change your numbers to make it work, but it will throw of the amount of wood i need, and i am better at following instructions than mucking about on my own :)

The numbers you have arent very different from mine. At most it will require 1-2 more 2x2's. The number of cuts will also remain the same ... the only ones youll need to change are the lengths of the boards in the 20" and 30" range.
As long as those dimensions are exact I think this is your cut list. (I usually build one first to make sure of dimensions). The other thing you need to check out is if the tub has a 3/4" lip or 1 1/2" lip ... If it has a 3/4" lip youll need to change E to 1x2's and will need 4 of them and subtract out 3 2x2's.
(this is going from a visual image in my head ... again I prefer to build before posting cutting sizes)

· A 8 – 22 3/4” x 2” x 2”
· B 8 – 36 ¾” x 2” x 2”
· C 4 – 19 3/4” x 2” x 2”
· D 4 – 18” x 2” x 2”
· E 8 – 39” x 2” x 2”
· F 4 – 48” x 2” x 2”
· G 2 – 36” x 2” x 4”


One thing I should point out is that the 3" first measurement on the legs will actually put the top shelf about 1/2" under the top of the legs ... this is done intentionally, so that a different shelf can be added to the top for an automatic watering system can be added (needed in my instance ... If you dont need that, make top measurement on each leg 2 1/2" instead of 3).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bdadawg

The numbers you have arent very different from mine. At most it will require 1-2 more 2x2's. The number of cuts will also remain the same ... the only ones youll need to change are the lengths of the boards in the 20" and 30" range.
As long as those dimensions are exact I think this is your cut list. (I usually build one first to make sure of dimensions). The other thing you need to check out is if the tub has a 3/4" lip or 1 1/2" lip ... If it has a 3/4" lip youll need to change E to 1x2's and will need 4 of them and subtract out 3 2x2's.
(this is going from a visual image in my head ... again I prefer to build before posting cutting sizes)

· A 8 – 22 3/4” x 2” x 2”
· B 8 – 36 ¾” x 2” x 2”
· C 4 – 19 3/4” x 2” x 2”
· D 4 – 18” x 2” x 2”
· E 8 – 39” x 2” x 2”
· F 4 – 48” x 2” x 2”
· G 2 – 36” x 2” x 4”


One thing I should point out is that the 3" first measurement on the legs will actually put the top shelf about 1/2" under the top of the legs ... this is done intentionally, so that a different shelf can be added to the top for an automatic watering system can be added (needed in my instance ... If you dont need that, make top measurement on each leg 2 1/2" instead of 3).

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How does the water shelf work?

Thanks for the numbers, I had come up with basically the same, but its appreciated when I can double check my work.

Its basically an open frame shelf that holds a 5 gal bucket. Open frame so it isnt blocking air flow to the top tub. The water is then gravity fed. Im not totally happy with the delivery system yet so im sure it will change. I constantly play with and tweak all my equipment until it works like I think it should or optimized for efficiency.


Bryan

C and A are only 3 inches different.

A = C + 2xBoard dimensions

are 2x2 really only 1.5 x 1.5? Going out to measure

Still havnt gone out to measure, but i recall them being less than 2 now that i think about it... stupid naming conventions! :)

Most smooth board have had 1/8" to 1/4" planed off each side ... usually its closer to 1/8" ... my 2X2's were actually 1 5/8" square.

And yes A=C + 2x board dimension.

Bryan