DIY Rack questions

I tried dong a quick search of the forum and didn't see my question answered anywhere.

I have some basic tools and minimal building experience. My brother has more advanced experience and I finally got him to agree to help me build a rack. I showed him a diy rack picture and the first thing he did was laugh and say "you're doing to max it out aren't you?" Yep, that's the plan. Anyway, I think my best option for now is a melamine rack, but I have no idea what size screws to use with it, or if I should use wood glue as well. I also want to install pegs so the snakes won't be able to push the tubs open. I don't want to get tubs with lockable lids. I can already see how I would hate pulling them out and unclipping the tops every time I needed to do cage maintenance. It should be noted I'll be housing ball pythons in this rack, everything from babies to adults.

I've also seen that people use aluminum tape to secure the heat tape to the rack. What happens when you need to remove the heat tape for any reason? Wouldn't it damage the melamine?

First off if your looking for something to last awhile melamine is not the right choice. Pvc cost more but last for ever, waterproof, 1/4 the weight of melamine. If you choose to use melamine use caution cutting it it will chip if you do not tape the cuts, top and bottom. You also have to predrill any screws holes, as for screws melamine is 3/4 thick use 1.5 inch screws . Tapping the flex watt down with the metal tape works best you just cut it off if you ever decide to take out. Melamine doesnt work well if you build and take apart a lot ..holes get stripped out. Also any edges of the melamine you wanna seal so they don't get wet and peel apart.. hope this helps.

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It does. Mostly I'm looking at cost, and I saw someone else mention melamine doesn't last very long. I'm expecting to move this rack once and replace it in one to two years. I'll definitely check home depot for pvc while I'm there.

I had no idea melamine chipped when you saw it, thanks for the heads up. I'm guessing painters tape would work? And no worries, we always do pilot holes first.

I will second the PVC. It's superior for this application. It's lighter, and you'll never have to worry about moisture. I know you said you're looking at cost... well... you're building a rack... which means you're building a home for multiple snakes. Multiple snakes are expensive. Filling a rack will get expensive... maybe that's why you want to build the rack for cheap... but really, You will be GREATLY ahead of the game if you just buy the good stuff up front.

Now, having said that... I recently build a PVC rack, and I've worked with PVC and melamine. Here is my advice...

1. If you go with melamine, it will take two of you to cut the sheet down. It's heavy. If you can measure well, take all your measurements to home depot with you, and have them cut it all. It's like fifty cents a cut or something, but it will save you time.
2. If you go with melamine, and have to cut it yourself, get a circular saw blade with a higher tooth count, 60 would be good. Decide which side will be the front (for looks), and make your cuts on the back side of the board. This allows the teeth on the blade to cut into the melamine instead of out of it... this will minimize the chipping along the edge.
3. If you go with PVC, get a 40 tooth saw blade. A blade with a higher tooth count will generate more heat and will leave little burnt plastic edges on your cuts.
4. Regardless of material, I would pre-drill all of your screw holes. Both materials can bulge if not.
5. Depending on thickness you go with, 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" drywall screws are good fro PVC, a coarse wood screw is better for melamine, but drywall screws would work too.
6. Melamine, you will need to get melamine tape and seal all of the bare/cut edges. PVC, you can just sand smooth. It's the same color throughout, so it's easy.
7. I think if I used melamine, I'd probably use some glue as well as screws, but that's just me. Also, for melamine, you'll want to caulk all of your seams with a good silicone sealant to make sure no moisture gets to the wood. If it does, it will likely swell.
8. As far as the pins go... I would get your tubs that you want to use in the rack first. then use those to determine your shelf heights. Figure out if you want to use lids, or leave the tops off. That is better than having to fool with pins, IMO.

Hope that helps.

Okay, I'll definitely look at pvc. My last question is this, roughly how much did you spend on materials for your pvc rack? We already have a circular saw, but I will check the specs on it to make sure it will work. I'm assembling a materials list and cost estimate so we know what to put back for the trip to home depot.

I got my pvc from a sign company, as none of the stores around me carried it at the time. A week after my rack was done, they got it in stock. Go figure. I built my rack with three shelves. I have a picture of it in the DIY section if you want to search under my name. It's about 28" wide, 28" tall, and 17" deep, I think. I found some tubs at walmart and found I could put two 15qt tubs per shelf, or one 32qt tub per shelf, longways. So, assuming you want a similar rack, you can build it out of one 4'x8' sheet.

Here is a ballpark idea on costs... assuming you have nothing:

1. Circular saw: $50
2. Saw blade: $10
3. 1 Sheet of melamine: $30
4. 1 sheet of PVC - $57
5. 1 lb Box of screws - $5
6. Tubs - Less than $5 each
You'll also need a straight-edge and/or level, a pencil, and a drill and bit for predrilling your holes.

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Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

I got my pvc from a sign company, as none of the stores around me carried it at the time. A week after my rack was done, they got it in stock. Go figure. I built my rack with three shelves. I have a picture of it in the DIY section if you want to search under my name. It's about 28" wide, 28" tall, and 17" deep, I think. I found some tubs at walmart and found I could put two 15qt tubs per shelf, or one 32qt tub per shelf, longways. So, assuming you want a similar rack, you can build it out of one 4'x8' sheet.

Here is a ballpark idea on costs... assuming you have nothing:

1. Circular saw: $50
2. Saw blade: $10
3. 1 Sheet of melamine: $30
4. 1 sheet of PVC - $57
5. 1 lb Box of screws - $5
6. Tubs - Less than $5 each
You'll also need a straight-edge and/or level, a pencil, and a drill and bit for predrilling your holes.

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I found your thread on the diy forum and unfortunately I can't view the picture. Maybe pm it to me?

I did a lot of research, debating, and crunching numbers. I finally just broke down and bought an animal plastics economy rack for 150 plus shipping. The money I would spend on all the materials is about the same, if not more, especially if I choose to use pvc to build with.

I've seen some really good feedback here from animal plastics, so hopefully this will be a good experience.

What type of PVC are you using? Never used it before but I know there are a few different types my local plastic supplier carries. Also which thickness. I am looking at replacing all my Melamine rack. 5 years seems to be about the limit on melamine racks before things start to seem 'used' and old

PhoenixGate, sorry I missed your post about sending you the photo of the rack I built. :( Looks like you are all set now though. I think you'll be happy with AP. I haven't seen any of their racks in person, but their T8's are awesome.

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Originally Posted by chilliscale

What type of PVC are you using? Never used it before but I know there are a few different types my local plastic supplier carries. Also which thickness. I am looking at replacing all my Melamine rack. 5 years seems to be about the limit on melamine racks before things start to seem 'used' and old

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I got a 4'x8' of expanded PVC sheeting from a local sign company. You can now buy a similar product at Home Depot for about $60 a sheet, I think. It's pretty close to 1/2". I think I used 11mm which was a little under, but you can also get 13mm. I don't recall what it is at Home Depot. It's all supposedly around 1/2" though. I was pleased with it. Super easy to cut and work with.

Thanks, once I get back in town I will probably be building one...or two. Can never have too much rack space.