My DIY Project

Here we go again... except this time I actually got to the planning and purchasing part of my project!

Here is the subject:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/12/u8ejy9u3.jpg
I upcycled this shelving unit a few weeks ago with the intention of converting it, and today I finally went out after taking final measurements and bought the Plexiglas today, adding up to 112.99. I'm comforting myself by reminding myself that it's still cheaper than a T8 plus shipping.

The cuts to the PVC will be ready tomorrow, so I'll leave this here and update when the rest of my supplies are in.

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No offense but the T8 is professionally built and only 150 + shipping. I'd go with a T8 any day of the week. Not to mention the quality is wayyy better. Well done though, much better than I could ever build :D.

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

Here we go again... except this time I actually got to the planning and purchasing part of my project!

Here is the subject:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/12/u8ejy9u3.jpg
I upcycled this shelving unit a few weeks ago with the intention of converting it, and today I finally went out after taking final measurements and bought the Plexiglas today, adding up to 112.99. I'm comforting myself by reminding myself that it's still cheaper than a T8 plus shipping.

The cuts to the PVC will be ready tomorrow, so I'll leave this here and update when the rest of my supplies are in.

Sent from my warm hide using Tapatalk

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Awesome! I just bought the first batch of XPVC for my 4x2x2 cages for my beardie and blueys, can't wait to see your updates.

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Originally Posted by Commandokev

No offense but the T8 is professionally built and only 150 + shipping. I'd go with a T8 any day of the week. Not to mention the quality is wayyy better. Well done though, much better than I could ever build :D.

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150 plus shipping still comes out to almost 200 bucks. So if the total for the build came to 112 and you get the satisfaction of building an enclosure yourself then more power to them. How would you know the quality is "way better" if you haven't seen the end product yet?

Well that is 112 so far not the final. They have done thousands of the cashes to his one.

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Sorry. I meant that they (Animal Plastics) have built hundreds of cages so the quality of their cages will be better than someone trying to build one from scratch. More power to those who can build their own. I honestly still think the price would be so close that it would be worth it just to purchase one instead of taking the time to build one. Unless that's your thing and you enjoy it. I have two of the T8's and they are wonderful and were worth every penny.

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Originally Posted by Commandokev

Sorry. I meant that they (Animal Plastics) have built hundreds of cages so the quality of their cages will be better than someone trying to build one from scratch. More power to those who can build their own. I honestly still think the price would be so close that it would be worth it just to purchase one instead of taking the time to build one. Unless that's your thing and you enjoy it. I have two of the T8's and they are wonderful and were worth every penny.

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I disagree. I build my own cages and I design each cage in SolidWorks, I have the ability to run stress tests on the material, use an aluminum frame for structrual integrity and build them to my Specifications. So I don't care how many cages they mass produce, the cage I built meets my exact needs. Plus while they did compare it to a T8 they didn't list the measurements, that being said what if it is bigger than the T8? I'm not debating that AP makes a nice cage. I know they do, however My cages are 4x2x2, so bigger than a T8 and the cost is less, the structure is more sound, and my cost is including locks, internal lighting, thermometers etc. Total cost is still cheaper than the bare bones T8.

So I was referring to the thread and the potential of people that want to do DIY cage building. I bet not even half of the people who will be reading this will be very competent in building cages like you do. The point of the thread is to teach people how to build the cage. Most of them won't have the experience you do to make sure everyone is stress tested and water proof. I was just trying to get people other options from someone with experience with the T8s.

I'm building it for my own satisfaction. I appreciate the thought, but after months of weighing my options, I decided to build my own. There are many threads on here from people who say that they got more satisfaction out of building their own, for less money.

This is the DIY Section after all. :rolleyes:

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For sure :D. It does look good. It would take me so long and so much reading to make a cage that was up to my standards. I figured that has to cost something in labor. I only considered the T8s b/c of the deal they are doing. I want to get GTP and the cage size they make for them is more expensive. I may just consider making my own. If only cheap glass cages could hold humidity!

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

I'm building it for my own satisfaction. I appreciate the thought, but after months of weighing my options, I decided to build my own. There are many threads on here from people who say that they got more satisfaction out of building their own, for less money.

This is the DIY Section after all. :rolleyes:

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I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
I will start mine within the next week or so.
Yes, professional built is nice, but I know how much space I have, I know what I want the outside to look like, I know the husbandry of a BP, and I know how to do it. There is a great deal of satisfaction when someone asks "where did you get that?" And you say "I BUILT IT!"
Some people get satisfaction from spending hundreds of dollars for something. I, on the other hand, like to whip out the $$$ I saved!!!!
Archimedes, I look forward to seeing your completed project!! Be sure to post your pics!!

so far my biggest worry is measurements. I think I did them all correctly, but I won't know until the PVC is in my hands tomorrow. luckily there's a place up the block from me that does the cuts in-house, so if one of the pieces doesnt fit the way I want, I can have another one done relatively quickly.

basically, I'm covering the melamine that preexists with PVC to maintain humidity and provide a secure fit. I think I'll cut the doors myself, because I'm not sure yet how big I want them to be. then I.ll go back and get pieces that overlap the edges by .5 of an inch and attach them with downswing hinges.

My plans include a false bottom with an access space for the heat pads. Hopefully this will also help to circulate warm air beneath the enclosures and keep cool side temps at a steady 80.

That's the intent, at least.

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Sounds like you have a well thought out plan!
Can't wait to see it!

Well that could have gone much worse... all of my measurements for the cuts were about an eighth of an inch too long. :p

I plan to do the fine-tuning myself tomorrow and start the actual build.

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Got around to making my cuts and partially constructing the cage yesterday. cutting fiberglass is tricky, so I ended up scoring it with a utility knife and using pliers to snap off the section along the scoring. This is what it looks like assembled:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/17/vy6anezy.jpg
It's looking very clean, I'm pleased with it. I will be picking up corner and L brackets to hold it together though. My original plan was to use silicone adhesive, but I think the brackets will be more sturdy and effective in the long run.

the front panel has been the trickiest part. my original plan was to cut door sections into the fiberglass, but because of the scoring technique I had to use to trim, I no longer think that will work. I'm considering making a rudimentary track system and having two sliding panels as access points to each half of the cage.

I still need to drill ventilation holes into the back panel, and the front once I decide on the opening mechanism.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Archimedes

Got around to making my cuts and partially constructing the cage yesterday. cutting fiberglass is tricky, so I ended up scoring it with a utility knife and using pliers to snap off the section along the scoring. This is what it looks like assembled:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/17/vy6anezy.jpg
It's looking very clean, I'm pleased with it. I will be picking up corner and L brackets to hold it together though. My original plan was to use silicone adhesive, but I think the brackets will be more sturdy and effective in the long run.

the front panel has been the trickiest part. my original plan was to cut door sections into the fiberglass, but because of the scoring technique I had to use to trim, I no longer think that will work. I'm considering making a rudimentary track system and having two sliding panels as access points to each half of the cage.

I still need to drill ventilation holes into the back panel, and the front once I decide on the opening mechanism.

Sent from my warm hide using Tapatalk

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Can't wait to see it finished!

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Originally Posted by Morris Reese

Can't wait to see it finished!

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Me either, haha! Started sealing it yesterday, wish I got the clear putty instead of white, but c'est la vie. It's super sturdy! I just need a couple of 1in screws and one more cut for my sliding doors (and handles I suppose.)

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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/a6ynagu5.jpg

Well, finally done! I sort of love how this came out, despite how frustrating it was to build. I only just finished it last night after stepping away from it for awhile. The doors stumped me. but after some trial and error, it's finally functional, and I got the girls moved in last night. I was a little disappointed to discover that Nessie has almost grown out of it already, but it'll do until I save up enough to put her in her own T8, and until then, it'll work great for growing Izzy up a bit.

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What was the final cost of making your cage/enclosure yourself?

it ended up sitting right around 150, give or take a little for small hardware.

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