custom build finished pics

So I finally got around to posting the finished pics of my ball python cages. I'mhttp://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/...ps04b29f0a.jpghttp://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3aad3de1.jpghttp://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/...psff8e354d.jpghttp://i1308.photobucket.com/albums/...ps017a2d00.jpg very happy with the way that they came out. It took a bit of tweaking to get the temps spot on after these pics were taken but everything is right on the money! The best part is these are fully automated cages so there is no messing with lights ,temps, humidity, etc. Like Ron Popeil says, you just set and forget it! lol. ( I know I will still have to keep an eye on things.) This was a very fun build as it allowed me to get more creative than when I'm building them for my customers! BTW this is not what my set up is, I have all the proper hides etc. in the cages now, this was only so I could dial in the temps.

Wow, that looks so great! Definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing setups I've ever seen

Thats really really nice!! Did you design it?

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Originally Posted by che

Thats really really nice!! Did you design it?

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Thank you. Yes I designed it. The hardest part was figuring a way to make it come apart into pieces so it can be easily moved, yet still look like its one piece. I built another set of them for my boas but those are 7 foot long, again another triple stack.

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Originally Posted by norwegn113

Thank you. Yes I designed it. The hardest part was figuring a way to make it come apart into pieces so it can be easily moved, yet still look like its one piece. I built another set of them for my boas but those are 7 foot long, again another triple stack.

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Design plans plz?

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Design plans plz?

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I dont really have any plans or cut sheets so to say, I just drew a sketch and winged the measurements as I went. I will tell you that I built the framework, then slid the three individual units into the frame.All the electrical and plumbing are hidden in the upper compartment. Its outfitted with pro products heat panels, led lighting, pro mist humidity controls, herpstat 4 thermostats. The cages are also set up so that I could use flexwatt under the floor of each cage for belly heat.

very cool looking. Do you have any pics of the balls that will be living in it?

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Wow very nice job!!

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Originally Posted by toyota89

very cool looking. Do you have any pics of the balls that will be living in it?

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I will have to look and see if I have any cool pics. All of the balls are normal colors. They are all formerly abused recued snakes. Two were badly burned from melting plastic. The previous owner used a che near the plastic edge of the aquarium. Im happy to report all are happy and healthy today.

.......wow that is freakin sweeeeeet !!!!!!!!!!!

That is outstanding! Great job! :gj:

Props that's outstanding!

That's a beautiful display enclosure.

Thank you everyone for your compliments.

that rack is absolutely outstanding. very different from the normal boxes we usually tend to build. i love it. kudos

That has to be one of the best diy snake enclosure i have ever seen! Great job!:gj:

that is just absolutely amazing!!! great job

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Originally Posted by utoyz

that is just absolutely amazing!!! great job

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Thank you very much. I put a lot of time and love into building this unit.

Did you secure the herpstat with anything? Or is it just sitting there? I've been considering flush mounting my herpstat 4's somewhat like that. I was thinking about replacing the 2 screws in the bottom of the unit with longer ones that went through the platform that the herpstat was sitting on.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Did you secure the herpstat with anything? Or is it just sitting there? I've been considering flush mounting my herpstat 4's somewhat like that. I was thinking about replacing the 2 screws in the bottom of the unit with longer ones that went through the platform that the herpstat was sitting on.

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I have the herpstat sitting on the shelf behind the door and its not screwed down at all. I did pop the little sticky feet off the bottom of the herpstat and move them back a 1/2" I cut a hole in the door which flips up on a piano hinge so the unit stays in place when I access the upper electrical area. I do have to open the door and hold the herpstat when changing the settings otherwise it just slids back out of the opening, but I rarely have to make many changes.

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Originally Posted by norwegn113

I have the herpstat sitting on the shelf behind the door and its not screwed down at all. I did pop the little sticky feet off the bottom of the herpstat and move them back a 1/2" I cut a hole in the door which flips up on a piano hinge so the unit stays in place when I access the upper electrical area. I do have to open the door and hold the herpstat when changing the settings otherwise it just slids back out of the opening, but I rarely have to make many changes.

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Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psc845ce26.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pse20b24f1.jpg

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psc845ce26.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pse20b24f1.jpg

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Wow! Thats all i can say. Thats an amazing set up. I would love something like that. Ok back to business. Lol i love the control panel concept. The herpstats would definately have to be solid mounted there are just too many to be loose. What about making a framework out of metal angle that the herpstats can slid into much like you would do with a commercial IT set up , then use snap clips to remove the front cover for maintenence? Man, im excited for you, this would be a FUN build.

Part of me just wants to use herpstat intro+'s as the cost is actually slightly less and they are already setup for a panel mount, but they are lacking a few features that I like in the 4. I'm by no means going to be building this entire system all at once. Right now I have 6 AP T8's and a few other size AP cages but I want to have a plan in place for expansion.

The computer rack idea is a good one. I've opened up a herpstat 4 and there is enough room inside for the screws/nuts that would be required to attach them to a rail. I have also considered using hot glue, but I want this to be as easy to maintain as possible so I would like to avoid things like that.

That's awesome! I love when cages are truly pretty. So this one is for you personally?

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Originally Posted by Capray

That's awesome! I love when cages are truly pretty. So this one is for you personally?

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Capray, which enclosure are you talking about, the unit I posted or the one serpent merchant ( black one) posted? The red colored wood unit is one of the stacks I personally use but I also build that style in for sale units.

I meant the reddish one. It's really nice.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Part of me just wants to use herpstat intro+'s as the cost is actually slightly less and they are already setup for a panel mount, but they are lacking a few features that I like in the 4. I'm by no means going to be building this entire system all at once. Right now I have 6 AP T8's and a few other size AP cages but I want to have a plan in place for expansion.

The computer rack idea is a good one. I've opened up a herpstat 4 and there is enough room inside for the screws/nuts that would be required to attach them to a rail. I have also considered using hot glue, but I want this to be as easy to maintain as possible so I would like to avoid things like that.

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I looked at the herpstat 4's that I have and you are right, I see no reason that you could not use those two bottom screws that hold the case together for the mounting screws with just a little longer screw. So your plans are to stack individual units to eventualy complere a "wall" and then make a custom corner control panel? If so that would be an awsome set up because it would break down for easy moving.

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Originally Posted by Capray

I meant the reddish one. It's really nice.

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Ok cool, thats the ones I build. It is three individual units stacked on each other then is surrounded by an outter decorative shell. The unit breaks down for easy movability. The cages are made from 3/4" birch plywood and the interiors are lined with a product called frp which helps keep moisture problems at bay. Each individual cage measures4'×2'×2'. Thanks for the compliments. I am very proud of the way these turned out.

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Originally Posted by norwegn113

I looked at the herpstat 4's that I have and you are right, I see no reason that you could not use those two bottom screws that hold the case together for the mounting screws with just a little longer screw. So your plans are to stack individual units to eventualy complere a "wall" and then make a custom corner control panel? If so that would be an awsome set up because it would break down for easy moving.

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Yep that's the plan. Individual stacks 6 cages high with a corner panel that acts as the brain. Moving is a big deal for me as I tend to do it a lot lol. Each individual cage is only 48" x 24" x 12" and the individual cages break down flat if I really have to move them long distance.

On a side note I was wondering how you got all the details on your cages? Do you purchase the wood like that or do it yourself?

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Yep that's the plan. Individual stacks 6 cages high with a corner panel that acts as the brain. Moving is a big deal for me as I tend to do it a lot lol. Each individual cage is only 48" x 24" x 12" and the individual cages break down flat if I really have to move them long distance.

On a side note I was wondering how you got all the details on your cages? Do you purchase the wood like that or do it yourself?

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Being able to easily move things is a big deal for me as I too have had to move a few times in the past few years. It seems as though corners, doors and stairways just keep getting smaller and smaller! Lol. As for your side note most of the custom machine work you see I do myself. I do buy a few ready made mouldings and cut them to fit but for the most part I machine most of it. I have been very blessed to have collected a large tool selection over the years as a carpenter and I am more blessed to finally be able to use them to do something I truely enjoy.

That awesome. I'm more of a metal guy, but I at some point I would love to learn how to work wood like that.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psc845ce26.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pse20b24f1.jpg

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/drool

I was thinking of a similar set up but with space between each column of enclosures...

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...psc845ce26.jpg

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...pse20b24f1.jpg

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/drool

I was thinking of a similar set up but with space between each column of enclosures...

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double post fail....:/

Very Nice Set Up, Great Job

:banana: :)

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Originally Posted by MSG-KB

Very Nice Set Up, Great Job

:banana: :)

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Thank you very much for the compliments.