Racks I've built

Over the past couple of months, I have been building rodent and reptile racks by order, for other local keepers, using Craigslist.

I just wanted to add some pics to show off some of my recent builds.

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I'm so jealous. :taz: I've been dying for a good rack and it seems they do them everywhere but here lol

Join the club sweetie... Not much to speak of here in Kansas either :D

Nice looking racks

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Thanks all!

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I've looked up the costs of racks before and it makes me thankful I have a brother who's handy at building things. Nice racks Tsanford!

Those look great! I have a few quick question's for you, I notice you're using XPVC and I used it myself to make my 28 quart tub racks but my 41 quart rack I bought. The 41 is a traditional pull from the front design but I had thought of building one where the tubs slide out sideways just like the one you posted here. Have you noticed any sagging in the center of the shelves, the XPVC has some flex to it so I'm curious. Also did you cut them from 4x8' sheets? If so did you need 2 or 3 sheets to do it?

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Originally Posted by C2tcardin

Those look great! I have a few quick question's for you, I notice you're using XPVC and I used it myself to make my 28 quart tub racks but my 41 quart rack I bought. The 41 is a traditional pull from the front design but I had thought of building one where the tubs slide out sideways just like the one you posted here. Have you noticed any sagging in the center of the shelves, the XPVC has some flex to it so I'm curious. Also did you cut them from 4x8' sheets? If so did you need 2 or 3 sheets to do it?

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I prefer the pull out style, it gives you better control with defensive animals, and the flex you speak of. But the customer specifically requested it sideways. They said they would move the legs themselves if they had problems. I made them sign a no liability waver for that...

The rack was made with 2 sheets, and I had a large scrap piece remaining.

Also they used the 72 quart under bed containers, but if I used the slightly smaller 41 quart sterlite tubs that I house my adult girls in, then there would have been more scrap left, and probably could of had 7 or 8 shelves with the same material.



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Cool thanks for the info. I had estimated that to build the 5 tub rack I wanted with CB-70's would have required 2 sheets and I have to buy the XPVC at retail so that alone would have set me back $378 just for the 2 sheets, plus add the expense for the heat tape and tubs it was cheaper to buy it already made.

Oh man I've bought so many sheets from my supplier, that I have an account there and I get great discounts and free / discounted cuts.

I can replicate almost any rack for hundreds less than they sell for premade.

My next build is going to be built based off a European YouTube video I saw. Using square aluminum tubing, and 1/4" or 1/8th xpvc. Should be able to build real cheap since the xpvc is way less for thinner sheets. Only thing is the aluminum needs to be cut correctly, and drilled precisely.

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I had thought about contacting the guys at Piedmont Plastics as they have a location right here in Raleigh to see if they were cheaper i.e. if I could get them at cost not retail. Perhaps next year since right now were in temporary living till our new house gets built.

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Nice.

I keep wondering if there is a hybrid style out there for the hobbiest with a small collection of just three or four snakes.

I like the convenience of the racks - that the tubs stack, and they just pull out like drawers. Nevertheless, I prefer the way terrariums allow for viewing (even if the snake is always in his hides). I also like the idea of a taller enclosure, so I can see the snake climb once in a while, even if it rarely does so.

I've been thinking of trying to build a rack that has the shelving itself slide out - kind of like the shelf for your keyboard on a good computer desk. The terrarium would sit on the shelf. The self itself would slide out smoothly on a good sturdy set of tracks and rollers, whenever you wanted access.

Complicated and expensive, but the results might be worthwhile.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Nice.

I keep wondering if there is a hybrid style out there for the hobbiest with a small collection of just three or four snakes.

I like the convenience of the racks - that the tubs stack, and they just pull out like drawers. Nevertheless, I prefer the way terrariums allow for viewing (even if the snake is always in his hides). I also like the idea of a taller enclosure, so I can see the snake climb once in a while, even if it rarely does so.

I've been thinking of trying to build a rack that has the shelving itself slide out - kind of like the shelf for your keyboard on a good computer desk. The terrarium would sit on the shelf. The self itself would slide out smoothly on a good sturdy set of tracks and rollers, whenever you wanted access.

Complicated and expensive, but the results might be worthwhile.

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Your idea could work fairly well. The most expensive part would be the ball bearing sliders.

What about building a display rack with 3 or 4 slots, sealed off with polyurethane so it's water proof / resistant and put sliding or fold down doors so your animals are on display. Like this by boaphile.

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/mult...421T-stack.jpg

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I'm not rack/tub guy (yeah right, just wait!:D), but those look awesome TS!

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I'm not rack/tub guy (yeah right, just wait!:D), but those look awesome TS!

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Me too!

But I'm gonna go the tub route as the collection grows. I guess I'll have to build a rack. Your builds look great Tsanford! :gj:

Thanks for the kind words.

I've been building another one and 2 display cages as well, I'll have pics here when done!

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Here's the start of something new..
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...bfdd0e56b0.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07...3711a04f80.jpg

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The start of my newest creation...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...9de70da6cc.jpg

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

The start of my newest creation...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...9de70da6cc.jpg

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What tubs are these?

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

What tubs are these?

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Home depots version of 28 quart. It has squared off corners and is clear not opaque on the top portion.

I had to melt down the fins to make them slide on rails, but they slide smooth!

Really looks professional and I think you should start a business building racks. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Really looks professional and I think you should start a business building racks. Good luck!

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Thanks man! I have thought about this before, but i would not do that until I can afford a cnc machine which would run me 3-5k... Maybe one day haha

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

Thanks man! I have thought about this before, but i would not do that until I can afford a cnc machine which would run me 3-5k... Maybe one day haha

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When you can afford it and buy it, wait. Take out a small business loan and get busy. I'll take two of that 41 qt. Black rack. If you'll be shipping to California then.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

When you can afford it and buy it, wait. Take out a small business loan and get busy. I'll take two of that 41 qt. Black rack. If you'll be shipping to California then.

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When that day comes I'll design something new because last thing I need is to be known as the knock off AP economy line lol

Kool man! Gotcha. Something to think about though. Lol.

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

Home depots version of 28 quart. It has squared off corners and is clear not opaque on the top portion.

I had to melt down the fins to make them slide on rails, but they slide smooth!

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What are you using for rails?

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3/8 C aluminum

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10...82e9e75be6.jpg

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Originally Posted by anicatgirl

Join the club sweetie... Not much to speak of here in Kansas either :D

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That's for sure.


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I should be done the rack by early next week.

It's basically a copycat of freedom breeder, but wood instead. It's 49x24 and holds three 28Q sterlites tubs, right at about 6 feet with 10 tall.

I priced aluminum with nylon corner connectors, but it would have been $2-300 more in price; although still less than a $2,500 FB rack.

Anyways ill make a new thread to show it off once I'm done, and If y'all like it I took detailed step by step pics just in case ;-)

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10...6898737cde.jpg

Pretty slick. Great Job!