How do you cut the lids?

i plan to make some sort of carrier for the mice that i buy each week, using a sterilite/rubbermaid tub... and i want to a square out of the lid, and replace it with wire mesh. so how do you guys cut it? please don't tell me scissors...:confused:

oh yea and what kind of wire mesh do you use, and how do you attach it onto the lid... thanks

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...1/8/ratBox.jpg


I used a jig saw, you can use a utility knife and a straight edge as well.

Pop riveted 1/2" HW cloth to the top using strips of aluminum and pop rivets. (thanks other bryan hehe)

what are pop rivets?

another question, do the rodents chew on that hole you made, for the water bottle?

I don't have rodents, but I use a tub set up just like that for transporting my beardie when we move. I used a little hand-held dremel tool to cut the center of the lid out. Easy peasy. (Just a bit messy!) Then soldered holes around the perimeter of the new opening and used heavy plastic tie-offs to attach the hardware cloth.

My rats chewed through to one I made and not even where the water bottle was! lol As long as they aren't in there for extended times you shouldn't worry.

No, The hole is exact size of the bottle sipper, so they cant get a chew on.

Ive kept tons of rats in these and only had one chew through.

The wire is called hardware cloth. I think some people put holes in the lid and use zip-ties to hold it on. You could probably cut the lids with a utility knife or (i know you said dont, but...) the heavy duty EMT type scissors. The lids are usally alot softer than you'd think cutting wise.

Alternative!
I used a dremel with a cutting wheel to cut the lid.
I then drilled multiple holes in the lid around the edges, and used zip ties(available at walmart or hardware stores) to attach the wire mesh(hardware cloth) which I got at the hardware store too.
Instead of drilling a hole in the side, I use velcro to stick a water bottle inside the bin. Go to walmart into the craft and fabric section. They carry velcro that glues(sticky sided) to things. Peel off the backing and stick one side to bottle, one side to the inside of the bin. Instant water bottle holder.
Warning, the rats can pull down the bottle, and might chew it.
This is what I do for mine.
Wolfy

It's so interesting to see how diffrent minds work here. I would of never thought of placing the water bottle on the outside like Bryan did OR using velcro and placing it on the inside...great thread!

Also...are are these tubs for long term holding?
I was figuring we could just use these for now...or maybe forever.
I know to get slick one's so they dont chew any edges etc. I just didnt know how everyone felt about it.

Thanks.

~Audrey

I agree piranhaking, we are able to cut a penny in half with our EMT scissors. They are pretty amazing.

all the rats and mice at school are in the lab style tubs, and they are very similar to that. They have the bent in tops and the bottle sits up there (like these http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_...es_110100.html ) Im pretty sure something similar could be worked out with other tubs and some hardware cloth. I personally use 10 gallon aquariums with this type of feeding and watering set up http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...1&page=3&pp=10 although, i would probably go with the idea of another poster in there, and make the lid my self too, all as one unit, and have the food hopper open from the top to make feeding and watering simpler.

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Originally Posted by PJ FF

I agree piranhaking, we are able to cut a penny in half with our EMT scissors. They are pretty amazing.

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One nice thing about them is the way they are angled, so your fingers area away from the sharp edges. We found some cheap ones at the dollar store i think. Not as nice as the real thing im sure, but still much stronger than normal scissors.

The angle helps alot. In this case, you dont have to worry about trying to slip your hand in between the two peices of platic.

thanks, i think i'll try to get a utility knife, i have no idea what a dremel is. i was actually thinking off soldering a square into the lid, talk about great ideas....

where do you get EMT scissors from?

i have a little rubbermaid container about 5 gallons maybe... with holes drilled in the sides (close to the top) and i use that to transport my live prey from the petstore. works fine... and they don't chew on it at all... besides they are only in the bin for a few hours max.

What recycling goddess mentioned would be great for transport. The other tub ideas are more of a temporary housing unit if a meal is refused it seems like to me (unless you have a really long ride home from the pet store). Personally i would say having both would be a good idea, since a small tub like that is only going to cost a few bucks. As far as soldering goes, using that method for air holes works good, but someone here (i don't remember who) tried to do that with some type of small container to make a hide, and it didn't work well at all for "cutting" an opening. A dremel is a hand held rotary cutting tool somewhat like a router http://www.dremel.com . Im not sure where we got the scissors. Im thinking it was either from a traveling tool sale or from http://www.harborfreight.com/ (we get their catalogues, but if they were available in the catalogue, i would think they are on the site too).

Dremel owns for cutting out the center of tub lids. That's what we use to do our rodent tubs. -Don't forget your safety glasses! ;)

I get my EMT scissors from the station but im sure you can get them at any drug store like walgreens, CVS, and osco.

That was me who tried making a hide!!! Here is the cut/melted crap made with the soldering iron.
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...erBoxCrap2.JPG

And here's the one made with normal scissors.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...erBoxGood1.JPG

You can use a burning tool to cut, it takes practice.
Dremels totally rock. They are right up there with cordless drills as essential pieces of equipment.
I use my tubs long term. No problems, no escapes, no chewing.
Wolfy

i think i'll try getting a dremel...they're not that expensive are they?

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Originally Posted by Kizerk

i think i'll try getting a dremel...they're not that expensive are they?

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No, not really. You can get them in "kits" with multiple attachments like blades, sanders, drill bits, etc....and the bigger the kit, the more expensive it will be. You can also get "off brands" that are less expensive than the actual Dremel brand, but do just as well.

Thanks Aud. I thought it was you, but i wasn't sure and didn't really have the time to find the old thread right then. I planned on linking back to it if i could find it tonight, so thanks for the pics.

I have melted out big rectangles in the tops of larger tubs for rodents...this is NOT fun, takes forever and if you don't ventilate well you end up like this :rolleye2: (may explain some of my "issues" LOL). Melting is possible, it's just a huge hassle. Personally I'm buying one of those cutting tools, seems way easier next time I need to make a new rodent tub. As far as the wire...get hardware cloth 1/2 inch for rats, 1/4 for mice...Home Depot....good size roll is about $5.00 and you'll usually find it in the fencing supplies aisle near the bottom shelves. A pair of wire snips and a bag of strong zip ties (also sold at HD) and you are good to go. We just melt some holes and ziptie in the mesh and then three holes in the side...one for the bottle nozzle and two to wire in the bottle (outside the tub). If you need more pics just holler. :)