Heavy Duty, Adjustable/Flexible DIY Snake Rack!

Hi everyone!

I have finally gotten to the point that I can publish a guide for my latest project. It's been in the works for a few months now (although skydnay is the only one on here who knew about it before this post).

This rack is inspired by a single photo from a 10 year old kingsnake.com forum post by user zach_whitman. I couldn't track down any additional guide or info about it aside from a few pictures, so this is all my own design based on his pictured rack. (There is a link to that thread in the top section of the Google Doc guide for reference)

It has quite a long write up, so I put it together in a Google Doc to try and protect the pictures from being deleted in the future and make it easier for folks to download and use as a building guide!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...t?usp=drivesdk

I'm including a few pictures here.
I havent quite finished mine yet due to getting busy with work and family, but I'm over halfway done and have streamlined the process to finish it up soon.

My halfway done rack (also being used as a temporary tub table)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f26a8d163e.jpg

View of the wheels/bottom
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ba5d47e7dc.jpg

2 shelves in place with backstops installed
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...427b9730ca.jpg

Current plan for the tub layout (my chosen tub fits 16oz crock, and 2 Large RBI hides perfectly unlike my experience with a sterilite 41qt)
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...11643a7e75.jpg

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The one thing that I would do to improve this design is to add washers to increase surface area where the nuts are.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

The one thing that I would do to improve this design is to add washers to increase surface area where the nuts are.

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I considered it, but after putting together the first level, I couldn't think of why it would be much of an improvement. With 1 shelf on it, it easily supported me standing on it with no bowing or flexing in the shelves and no slipping on the posts.

I used the 1/2 drill bit for holes, so there is no gap for it to help cover on mine (anyone using the slightly larger bit will want to reconsider your idea for themselves, tho!)

I also was concerned that washers may make adjusting heights more difficult once assembled and trying to keep the price down a bit for myself.

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I've seen this design before and it does work very well. The last one I saw used wing nuts instead of regular nuts so adjusting the shelf heights was very easy - and it did have washers.

It's also an easy rack to dismantle, move, and reassemble if necessary which makes it ideal for the larger tubs. Otherwise those racks are pretty unwieldy.

Really nice, but another vote for the washers being beneficial. Trust me I was a journeymen mold maker for twenty years. Very nice thanks for sharing.

Very nice - As someone that enjoys figuring things out and building on my own I can appreciate what you've done. I use AP enclosures so all I needed was a rolling platform to stack them on but yours is great for tubs man.

(My build https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...246819-Finally!!!)

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Originally Posted by BR8080

Very nice - As someone that enjoys figuring things out and building on my own I can appreciate what you've done. I use AP enclosures so all I needed was a rolling platform to stack them on but yours is great for tubs man.

(My build https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...246819-Finally!!!)

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I love the look of yours! Not sure how I missed that thread before now. If I hadn't already set up my T8s with the stands I chose, I would seriously consider doing something similar to that.

I don't use tubs for everything, so here's an added shot of my T8s and their stands. Pardon the random clutter, I'm still sorting out the storage in that room.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a376e428f5.jpg

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I'm not sure why there's such a fascination with the use of washers. Melamine board isn't soft enough to justify using them, and doing so only creates more friction surfaces that may move. Plus it's just an extra step.

Regardless, this is a really nice design that gives a lot more room for changes than most of the stickies. :gj:

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Originally Posted by skydnay

I'm not sure why there's such a fascination with the use of washers. Melamine board isn't soft enough to justify using them, and doing so only creates more friction surfaces that may move. Plus it's just an extra step.

Regardless, this is a really nice design that gives a lot more room for changes than most of the stickies. :gj:

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Washers can help distribute the weight over a wider area and help prevent unnecessary wear between surfaces. It would also help eliminate fiction between the nut and the surface. There is reason they are used, and cost is literally less then a couple bucks, it’s sincere advice. It’s kinda the reason you come to a form (help, advice).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Washers can help distribute the weight over a wider area and help prevent unnecessary wear between surfaces. It would also help eliminate fiction between the nut and the surface. There is reason they are used, and cost is literally less then a couple bucks, it’s sincere advice. It’s kinda the reason you come to a form (help, advice).

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If the nuts are on tight, then there's minimal friction in the first place. No need for washers, they're just an extra step here, and less than a couple bucks of extra money.

Sure, advice is fine, but OP already explained why they weren't used, so I don't see why two more posts about it is warranted. And this post is a guide, not a request for critique, so there's that. AND this forum is not strictly for advice and help. There are boards for that. It's also for discussion and just general chat in the appropriate areas. Not all posts are asking for help and not all need to be given advice.