DiY Enclosures from Commercial Shelving

Recently purchased a large number of flats for what was intended for commercial shelving. The materials dimensions are:
3/4” Coated HDF Boards? 2’x4’ and 2’x3’ panels. Assume it’s HDF, as it’s extremely heavy but it’s guess.

1/2” glass is also 2’x4’ and 2’x3’

Unsure on project time. Like to scale up similar to the sliding glass AP enclosures my BP’s are in. Expect final design to basically be a box, with an inset lip to accommodate sliding glass front panels. Approximately 4x4ft and 2ft deep. I’d also like to make some smaller ones after I get the final dimensions of the first one.

Here’s an ugly photo of the paint on my shoe. And some of the stacks of the materials I’m using. [IMG]https://files.fm/thumb_show.php?i=w9nev7acg[/IMG]
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...fm/f/w9nev7acg

As long as this material is waterproofed. I know HDF is water resistant but you can count on the moisture from needed humidity, periodic cleaning, & water bowl spills, to do some damage over time, & after you put in your time & effort, you want your creation to last. But you're only limited by your skills, finances, & sense of adventure- :gj: Make sure you can move the enclosure you create, & also that it fits thru your doorways, or can be disassembled to do so. Hey, we'd love to see a thread on your project here too- you'll inspire others to get creative too.

As for your shoe, I don't trust any painter or handyman/handywoman with clean shoes. :D

My mind spins with the possibilities. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Considering the weight of the glass, at 52lbs a pane, got some aluminum C-Channel today. One to silicone onto the sliding edges of glass for protection. The other to be the track the window will sit in. I have the panels stood up on the edge to hold the Channel in place as the silicone dries. I couldn’t get it nowhere near as tight on the top unless I clamp it. So I’m doing one side today, then flipping them tomorrow.

Note: Today slide test show track fitment looks good. Has slight gap in guide channel to accommodate strip. But friction in raw aluminum will need reduced. Possible lubricant or Teflon strip with felt. I’m guessing for now..

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Considering the weight of the glass, at 52lbs a pane, got some aluminum C-Channel today. One to silicone onto the sliding edges of glass for protection. The other to be the track the window will sit in. I have the panels stood up on the edge to hold the Channel in place as the silicone dries. I couldn’t get it nowhere near as tight on the top unless I clamp it. So I’m doing one side today, then flipping them tomorrow.

Note: Today slide test show track fitment looks good. Has slight gap in guide channel to accommodate strip. But friction in raw aluminum will need reduced. Possible lubricant or Teflon strip with felt. I’m guessing for now..

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Many years ago I converted a cabinet to a snake home & used aluminum C channel for sliding glass doors. I found some narrow self-adhesive velvet-like strips that fit in the channel & allowed the glass panes to slide easily. I can't recall where I bought it though- might have been a craft & fabric store- & even if you can't find self-adhesive strips, you might find the right stuff you can glue in place. I wouldn't use any sort of lubricant, because it could transfer & sicken your animals- besides, lubricants are messy & need reapplication.

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Note: Today slide test show track fitment looks good. Has slight gap in guide channel to accommodate strip. But friction in raw aluminum will need reduced. Possible lubricant or Teflon strip with felt. I’m guessing for now..

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I've been thinking about adding felt to my channels, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Because my glass slides in vertically, there's less friction, so it's less of an issue for me.

Also, 1/2" glass is way thicker than you need and that 52 lbs is going to wear on you. Consider switching to 3/16" or even 1/8" and find another use for those 1/2" panels.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

I've been thinking about adding felt to my channels, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Because my glass slides in vertically, there's less friction, so it's less of an issue for me.

Also, 1/2" glass is way thicker than you need and that 52 lbs is going to wear on you. Consider switching to 3/16" or even 1/8" and find another use for those 1/2" panels.

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For sure! Good catch! 1/2" thick glass is massive & excessive.

Yes, you’re right. They are excessive. In most cases it would not be at all reasonable. What can I say? You got me! 🍻

It may have been the whisper of a deal. Along with idle hands. 🤷

Been considering options to support the door. Such as hinges, like glass shower hinges. Or a roller set up. Either hidden in the track or external supported from a rod above.

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Yes, you’re right. They are excessive. In most cases it would not be at all reasonable. What can I say? You got me! 🍻

It may have been the whisper of a deal. Along with idle hands. 🤷

Been considering options to support the door. Such as hinges, like glass shower hinges. Or a roller set up. Either hidden in the track or external supported from a rod above.

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I understand. Been there. I also thought of rollers in the track, but I couldn't think of a way to do it that wouldn't cost more than buying a thinner piece of glass. I say you're in danger of throwing good money after bad. Do yourself a favor and sell that glass to someone that can use it.

Oh! and say you manage to engineer this thing together. It's gonna be a vault, a cage capable of holding a terrible monster. What are you going to put in there? One of the sweetest, gentlest creatures on God's good earth. It just doesn't make sense for a ball python.

I'm not the handiest guy in the world. If you are, maybe you can figure a way to make it work. I wish you luck. If it was me, I'd sell the whole lot, buy some 1/2 inch pvc sheet and 1/8" glass, and build an enclosure with that.

Ball python in the 4Wx4T? I’m leaving......them in the 2x2x1Talls. 😆
The 4x4 is for a huge green tree python. It would be great to have something large enough to put a nesting box in the bottom for her.

Also have a short tail python. Making her a 8Wx2T, possible 6W, as the base.

Overall the STP case will provide a 6-8ft base. That can fit the 4x4 GTP case, and the 4 stack of AP 2x1’s flush in a roughly 6x6 square.

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Ball python in the 4Wx4T? I’m leaving......them in the 2x2x1Talls. 😆
The 4x4 is for a huge green tree python. It would be great to have something large enough to put a nesting box in the bottom for her.

Also have a short tail python. Making her a 8Wx2T, possible 6W, as the base.

Overall the STP case will provide a 6-8ft base. That can fit the 4x4 GTP case, and the 4 stack of AP 2x1’s flush in a roughly 6x6 square.

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Can't wait to see what those no longer idle hands can do.

So here’s a tease of the 4x4. Still a lot to do on it. This first one will help me fine tune the details on the rest. Mainly the exact spacing needed to fit the track. Now that I know I’m going with a hard vinyl track. This track is on Amazon. Says in the title for 1/2” bare sliding glass doors. They slide effortlessly. Comes in a few sizes. If anyone plans to DiY a box with sliding glass front these tracks come in multiple sizes. Longest length I seen though was 4ft.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...762-DD2-FF.jpg

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Originally Posted by ThePain

So here’s a tease of the 4x4. Still a lot to do on it. This first one will help me fine tune the details on the rest. Mainly the exact spacing needed to fit the track. Now that I know I’m going with a hard vinyl track. This track is on Amazon. Says in the title for 1/2” bare sliding glass doors. They slide effortlessly. Comes in a few sizes. If anyone plans to DiY a box with sliding glass front these tracks come in multiple sizes. Longest length I seen though was 4ft.

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So 52 lbs glass panes slide effortlessly on hard vinyl track. Good to know. That'll be very useful if I ever need to build an enclosure for a monster. Keep the tips coming.

Recommend this sealant. Brand OSi QuadMax for windows, doors, siding. The track is stuck with it. Along with stainless screws in the top. Will use this to seal all the edges. Picture taken with me sitting inside the enclosure.

Currently I’m preparing to cut boards to make basically a frame that will go behind the doors. It will set flush to the track providing a few benefits. Added rigidity, safety since the doors can’t fall in, and help keep debris out the track. [IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-F3-B8-A60.jpg https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-AC4781241.jpg[/IMG]

Sounds like excellent planning- keeping stuff out of the track, & especially, safety. This doesn't seem like your first rodeo?

First time making an enclosure. My AP cases were bought built. But I know how to use a speed square to make a quick box. There’s a little finish and trim carpentry goes on here. The process of building the box (4 sides+2 back panels) is a project anyone can do successfully. Most probably under an hour. With a square, corner clamp, drill bit, countersink bit, and screws.

Just a little understanding of the butt-joint will go along way in anyone making their own custom size. Eventually I may lay this out in instructional format. Took some pictures of the steps. 🤷

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Eventually I may lay this out in instructional format. Took some pictures of the steps. 🤷

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That would be great. I don't expect my box to last my pet's lifespan, and it looks like I could learn a thing or two from you.

Here’s pictures of the next step. If you know the size of your track, this step could be done before installing glass.

Put wood in behind the glass. A 3inch strip up top, 8inch on the bottom. Here’s a tip. All screw heads should be outside the enclosure. Took 4 under, 2 on each side for lower strip. 4 on top, 1 each side for upper.

Can use speed square here to get the strip square with the glass vertically before measuring inset and drilling. Having it square vertically, and inset equal on both sides will give a uniform small gap. Without rubbing the glass. Aim for 1/8” gap between wood and glass.
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...-C1-DA7-A0.jpg https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...AABDF80-C6.jpg https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...768-D2-EB1.jpg https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...A0-BDE58-B.jpg[/IMG]

Left the top edge to run wiring thru and for airflow. Yet to figure how to screen it in nice. The mid gap in the rear will fit a rubber T-strip. Next I’ll put that sealant in all the interior edges. Very close to finished on this one after that.

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Originally Posted by ThePain

Recommend this sealant. Brand OSi QuadMax for windows, doors, siding.[/IMG]

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We generally recommend using aquarium sealant for reptile enclosures. If you haven't already, I suggest you do some research on this product before exposing your snakes to it.