Racks-Build your own or buy one?

Is it better to buy a prebuilt rack or build your own? Im looking for the most bang for my buck, Im not rich but Im very good with tools....

Can anyone give me some links to either a good cheap rack or good plans to build my own..

Also is there any type of paint or sealer that can be used on wood that wont be harmfull to the snakes?

Have a look at our DIY section. There's lots of rack ideas there. :)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

Have a look at our DIY section. There's lots of rack ideas there. :)

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Cool thx, I never even noticed it there...

It's a fairly new forum here. :) My husband and I just recently built two of the racks that Halfdawg designed. Easy as anything to build (if we can build them anyone can LOL).

Here's a step by step guide for one for 41 qt tubs that I did: http://www.blueappleherps.com/page13/page14/page14.html

It's super easy to make, doesn't require any fancy tools and you can just have home depot cut your wood if you want. If you can't find Sintra or don't want to spend the money on it, then use 3/8" plywood for the shelves.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...P1010028-2.jpg

me and my dad built mine, but i totally wish i would have done it wayy diff...

it is like a bookshelf that is super deep... not very light either lol....
if i would have really really thought about it... i would have made it like blue's =]

Here are a few link that might help you

DIY Racks

http://www.baileyreptiles.com/cb70rack.html

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/iri...ris_rack.shtml

http://www.reptilianprojects.com/ladderrack.html

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/howto_easyrack.htm

http://www.blueappleherps.com/page13...structions.pdf

Flexwatt Wiring

http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_Wiring.pdf

http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_Wiring.pdf

Affordable racks

http://www.animalplastics.com/

Build your own! So much fun!

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/IMG_0003.jpg

I'll be building my own soon: 2 racks with 3 90qt tubs each(same L&W as the 41qt, but 12"H) lengthwise with an open frame. It's MUCH cheaper than buying one and you can make it to your specs. :)

I have a subconscious problem with this. In the future when I plan on having quite a few more snakes I know I'll need one.

The problem? I'm sure I could build things.. I'm good at building things with direction from people who are actually THERE though. D:

Also, I know I'd do something stupid or wrong and mess the whole thing up.. I want to just buy one premade by rich or something but they are so expensive with my budget right now. D:

Not to mention, if I did build my own, I would NEVER understand the way flexwatt is wired to it! I've tried and tried to read things over and over again about how it's wired into the racks... but I don't get it.

My brain is dying. D:
Should I just look for a shelf that a tub fits into? D:
I'm hopeless.

thx for the help all!!

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Originally Posted by ChicaPiton519

me and my dad built mine, but i totally wish i would have done it wayy diff...

it is like a bookshelf that is super deep... not very light either lol....
if i would have really really thought about it... i would have made it like blue's =]

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Yeah, my first ones were out of melamine and weighed a TON and were impossible to move. So I came up with this design. It's just as affordable as melamine and a whole lot lighter, which I like.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Not to mention, if I did build my own, I would NEVER understand the way flexwatt is wired to it! I've tried and tried to read things over and over again about how it's wired into the racks... but I don't get it.

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Building racks is not that hard, I have built all mine (rats and snakes).

As far as the flexwatt wiring, this is the only part I do not do, which is why I order it from reptile basics http://www.reptilebasics.com/

Rich wires the flexwatt (at no extra cost) according to his customer specifications.

Yep, Rich is DA MAN! :) When I get the flex for my racks (even though the warm sides will be indiv. 30gal sized UTHs) it will be from him.

I've bought flexwatt from him already that he clamped for me. So if I asked him, he would wire it so that I could have it all connected on my rack?
Thanks. :]

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I've bought flexwatt from him already that he clamped for me. So if I asked him, he would wire it so that I could have it all connected on my rack?
Thanks. :]

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Yes, right now I have some flexwatt being wired according to my needs for a new rack I just built.

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

Build your own! So much fun!

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...s/IMG_0003.jpg

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I like the locks! Cool idea!

Those would have prevented a couple of escapes at my place!

Steve