Rat rack lumber

I'm throwing around the idea of building a 4 tub rack rack using Lowes 26" x 20" mixing tubs.

I was at Lowes today pricing everything to try to come with a rough total cost and the only 2x2 I saw were these 2x2 furring stripes:
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...s24/photo8.jpg
I'm not sure what the difference is between a furring strip and a normal 2x2 but would they be appropriate to use for building a small 4 tub rat rack? They seemed pretty straight and without many knots.

That's what I've built all my racks out of. Lumber is cheap. The tubs and hardware cloth are the expensive parts :)

Regards,

B

Cool, the projected cost cost is a little lower than I thought it would be.
I think I would need 10 96" 2x2 for this project.

The measurements I came up with for a 4 tub rack instead of 6 tubs is:
4 x 44"
8 x 27"
12 x 24"
8 x 21.5"
4 x 10" (scrap for spacing) pieces of 2x2.

Does that sound about right?

IF you have a table saw or know someone that does you can cut your costs in half buying 2x4s.
I rip mine down into 3rds about 1 1/8"
Those strips you are looking at will work to.
The hardest part, however you go about it, is trying to find straight wood:mad:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam Chandler

4 x 44"

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If these are going to be the upright legs, I would use 2x4s just to make sure they dont bow. One guy I know uses 1x4s and they work good but I would rather over-build rather than come home and chase the food:gj:

There's no need for 2x4 on the legs. I have three going and the boxes/slides firm everything up. I don't get any bowing at all with 2x2. Your quantities sounds right. I do however use a 2x4 in the rear for back stop/bracing.

Regards,

B

Regular 2 x 2 are fine if there straight if there are not what I do is use a 4 x 2 instead and slip it in 2 (table saw required obviously)

It changes the dimension slightly however if the 2 x 2 are not straight it's your best option.

I use the same 2x2's. I have used the 2x2's for legs and also the 2x4's.

I use clamps when screwing the wood together to keep it straight. Most important tools for building besides a drill - big and little clamps, an electric staple gun and a second drill.

You can get your wood cut at Home Depot or Lowes if you have a cut list with you so you don't even need the saw. Other things that make it easier - a t-square and a level.

Tip - buy twice the number of screws you think you'll need. If you have any left over you can use them on your second rack. :cool:

let me know the pricing as i thinkngi of doingthe same thing here have a a rodent rack that I can keep asf mice and or rats in. tight now I need about 5 tubs but I do have some scrape plywood and such around it maingly the plans I need for mine since i got to use water bottles still. I think a couplew spare tubs would work as well to make cleaning easier lol just swap out the rodents and dump old tubs and hose them let aire dry while the rodents make their messes in clean tubs.

depending on where you are there might be a small mill around. I get 2x4x8 from the local guy for less than 1.00 each and the local box store they are over 2$ each. The local guy will cut and plane any size you want and if you ask nicely they pick the very best out for you, and save you money.

In my opinion using 3/4 plywood (quality) is the best choice. I purchased 2 sheets of 3/4 birch 7 or 8 ply for 28.00 each. Was able to rip down in 1 1/2 pieces. Was able to make two six tub ASF rack with those two sheets. Worked great and never had to worry about strait lumber. I will post some pictures when I'm able.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...-39-55_224.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BrianWilson

In my opinion using 3/4 plywood (quality) is the best choice. I purchased 2 sheets of 3/4 birch 7 or 8 ply for 28.00 each. Was able to rip down in 1 1/2 pieces. Was able to make two six tub ASF rack with those two sheets. Worked great and never had to worry about strait lumber. I will post some pictures when I'm able.

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Please post some photos. I would love to see what a rack made completely out of 3/4 inch plywood looks like.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Please post some photos. I would love to see what a rack made completely out of 3/4 inch plywood looks like.

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Did we ever see photos of the 3/4 inch plywood rack? I really want to see it.

I'd like to see pics as well. Sounds interesting.

I do like brian to but i get like 3 or 4, 4 tub racks out of a sheet of plywood

Heres my 4 tub

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...ages/water.jpg

and the 6 tub

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC09578.jpg

Grits:

What size wood did you use? I can't tell from the photo. Is yours made out of plywood?

Thanks, John

Mine is entirely out of 3/4" plywood. Owning a cabinet shop I just use drop offs from my other jobs. All I really pay for is the tubs, screen, and water system.

How do you attach the screen to the frame?

upholstery staple gun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grits

Heres my 4 tub

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...ages/water.jpg

and the 6 tub

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...s/DSC09578.jpg

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That is quite nice looking work there...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grits

upholstery staple gun

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I assumed staple gun. Are you stapling along the thin edge of the plywood or wrapping it around?

I make the square frame, in my case 22 1/2" x 27" then i cut a piece of screen 22 3/8 x 26 3/4" and staple it to the frame i just made.

Then i make an "L" with more plywood, that "L" will sit up against the screen and hold it in place even further. That "L" is what my tubs slide on.

I shoot all my frames with my nail gun then I screw my frames and "L"'s to the legs

Ive gotten it down to starting with a sheet of plywood and having a finished rack ready to be plumbed in about 45 minutes to an hour :D

grits:

Do you use the racks for rats or just ASFs? Any escapes?

The reason I ask is that I have seen posts that say 2x2's are not strong enough for mixing tub rat racks and only 2x4's or at least ripped 2x4's should be used. Plywood with nails in the frames rather than screws gives me pause. I know, as a cabinet maker, the quality must be great but do you think the average person could make your rack sturdy enough? I don't see any braces/supports which I use to keep my racks square.

My back legs are a huge L. The back being a 6" strip and the side being a 3" strip of plywood. That is my "secret" to keeping it square and strong. The frames that the screen are attached to are braces in them self. They are screwd to the legs every 12".

This rack and design works great for me, if it doesnt feel sturdy enough after your done you could add braces as needed. On my 6 tub rack i cant see in the top one so i climb up the bottom ones and im pushing 200 pounds.

I have used this design with rats and asfs with no problems YET lol.

I took some better pics for you John

In this one you can see how sturdy the back legs make the entire thing.

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...s/c899e537.jpg

Here is a better shot of how all the plywood looks

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/...s/c1c81dfb.jpg

Thanks for posting those.

What kind of nails do you use and how long are they?

They are 2" finish nails, but you can see from the construction the "L"s i was telling you about support the frame also.

Thanks.

Now I just have to find a cabinet maker with some free time. :rolleyes:

I can get you a cut list if you want one. It would all be debendant on you using the mixing tubs from Lowes though

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grits

I can get you a cut list if you want one. It would all be debendant on you using the mixing tubs from Lowes though

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I would love a cut list and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I already have a rack with the Lowes tubs and I prefer them to the Home Depot tubs.

I don't know how tall your racks are but I'm limited to around 66 inches in my basement or I won't be able to get the bucket up over the rack.

Please let me know what kind of plywood you use.

Thanks again.

I will get you a cut list tomorrow. If I am building it for a customer i like using a prefinished asian birch which is the same wood i build cabinets and custom cages out of. For mine i just use any scrap plywood i have avalible.

Without the bucket each level is 12" apart. If you were gonna use water bottles you could get away with a 5 level that would be 60"

For the cut list I will give measurements for a 4 level rack that way you have the option to use auto water or not.

Most likely I would reduce the spacing between tubs and try to get at least 6 levels in the rack. I do use the auto water, not bottles. I checked again and I could go 68 inches without a problem and possibly a few inches more if I pre hang the bucket.

I used an under tub support system for a "jasbus" rack and fit 7 levels in the 68 inch height and that's with 2 inch wheels. I used 2x2's for that rack with 2x4 legs.

Thanks again.