wood

wat kind of wood is bad for snakes? is it pine?

pine and cedar

ok so what should i use?

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Originally Posted by hunter0443

ok so what should i use?

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Aspen or cypress.

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Originally Posted by hunter0443

ok so what should i use?

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are you talking about bedding or an enclosure

to make my rack
sorry i thought i put that in the op

birch or oak. but plywood rack tend to have issues over time. so melamine would be your best choice

uh oh, here goes the debate...

Namely Cedar and hard woods are toxic.
Aspen and Cyprus are safe, but according to many experienced keepers kiln dried pine is safe. Even still, I don't like the idea of risking it.

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Originally Posted by hunter0443

to make my rack
sorry i thought i put that in the op

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Melamine is your best bet, but any wood is fine as long as it's sealed and finished properly. Your biggest concern is where the open space is against the top of the bin. As long as that is sealed and finished properly it'll be fine.

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Originally Posted by decensored

uh oh, here goes the debate...
.

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it isn't a full blown debate until 2 snakes and only 1 cage are in the mix

ok and what do u mean sealed and stuff u mean like no space between the rubbermaid and the top shelf ?

Here's a picture of some melamine board.

http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/813133...ated_Board.jpg

seal up al the cracks on the sides. and also to protect from moisture if you decide to use tubs without lids

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Originally Posted by hunter0443

ok and what do u mean sealed and stuff u mean like no space between the rubbermaid and the top shelf ?

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No, by "sealed" he means that the wood is covered with a coating of something: polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, paint, etc. to keep it from releasing the fumes contained in the wood and sap. Wood will expand and contract with moisture/humidity levels and that can cause the wood to warp it's shape. Have you ever gone to the lumber store and looked at a 2x4 and seen how some of them twist and others bend to one side so they're not longer straight? That's from the board/wood loosing moisture, even when they're kiln dried. Long story short, your best bet would be to use melamine, something along these lines or buy a rack that's been professionally made:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_17282-62348-...RL=&facetInfo=

Melamine is basically chipped wood that has been ground into small pieces which are then glued together to form a board and plastic is then glued on the edges on all four sides. It's heavy as can be and not very stable over a long length (I wouldn't exceed three feet or so without supporting it in the middle) as it will tend to sag over time. I don't know you and I'm not trying to start anything but unless you're good with tools or know someone that is, you'd probably be better off spending the money and ordering a professionally built rack. Do what you like but in the long run I think you would be happier going that route rather than trying to build one. Reptile Basics has some nice ones that are pretty affordable and include the tubs; Animal Plastics also has their Economy Line of racks that are very well built. Good luck, whatever route you take!

well my gf is a carpenter and she said she would help and im an electrician soo i thats helps alot and thank you guys