My snake enclosure build. Process w/ pics

Well yesterday I started on my snake enclosure with the help of Darryl (my fiancee).
This is the first time I have ever worked with, or designed anything in wood LOL. So I am pretty proud of myself!
I did learn a hard lesson though.. 2"x2" wood does not actually measure 2"x2"... it varies greatly.. mine happened to be 1.5"x1.5"

So anyways. My plans were designed around 2"x2", got the wood cut at the store (Lowes - alot cheaper than HD, nicer quality wood and Lowes did all my cuts for free) got home and started to put stuff together on the ground (layout before screwing) and realized it didn't match in places.. measured the wood and then realized it was 1.5" instead of 2" LOL. So had to re-draw my plans a bit and re-cut some of the wood in the garage (thank goodness I have a full set of tools LMFAO).

This is me in the picture, to give a size comparison.. I am 5'6" :D I will post more detailed pictures tonight or tomorrow when I get them off my camera! This is just a cell phone pic.

There are 3 snake enclosures, and 3 shelfs (air ventilation and storage for snake stuff). 2 of the enclosures are 40"Length x 18"Width x 12"Height and one of them is 40"Length x 18"Width x 24"Height (future large snake home.. at some point) - these measurements are after the plywood is installed, not the way you see it.

http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/01.jpg

There is much more to come... Including; completely enclosing it, floor/wall/ceiling covering & sealant, glass flip down door, air vents, and more!

Looking good so far. :gj: Keep us updated.

yes wood dimensions are never same size advertised except for sheets of wood. most boards are .25-.5 smaller than the size indicated.

looks good so far same rack i have built. the litter pans is the killer for price.

Litter pans?

Yes i use cat litter pans for the housing of mice and rats.


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Ahhhh this is for the snakes :-)

It's gonna be completely enclosed w/ glass doors and stuff!

okay cuz the frame is same setup for rodent rack

yeah with wood, those aren't actual dimensions, unless you are buying roughcut lumber. that's a nice looking rack, especially considering its your first time doing any sort of wood working! its always best with a first project to follow the K.I.S.S. philosophy.

well.. im definitely NOT keeping it simple.. theres lots left to do :) it will make more sense when i get to the next phase... i will put the plans in the original post :)

but the whole thing will be enclosed, glass doors, painted or something nice... tile interior (well, linoleum).. etc :D

and thanks fo rthe compliment!

Alright here are the better pictures I promised...

Cut wood
http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...osure/01-1.jpg

Side 1
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Side 2
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Before Bracing
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After bracing
http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/10.jpg

With me for size
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Looks like a pretty good start! What materials are you planning to use for the actual cages?? I've thought of doing something similar to that and using some ABS plastic for the cage portions (cheap, easy to work with and way easier to clean than wood) I'll probably be building mine once we get into our new place and have some more space to spread out lol.

Well I am building the whole thing with MDF for the shelves and then the outside will have a nice light wood that I can urethane and hopefully have match the rest of the furniture in my house :)

However inside of the cages, there will be linoleum lining the back, sides, bottom & top, and the front is going to be a glass flip down door. Everything will be sealed with silicon as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OFRD_GRL

Well I am building the whole thing with MDF for the shelves and then the outside will have a nice light wood that I can urethane and hopefully have match the rest of the furniture in my house :)

However inside of the cages, there will be linoleum lining the back, sides, bottom & top, and the front is going to be a glass flip down door. Everything will be sealed with silicon as well.

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Cool, well can't wait to see how it all comes out! Have you priced everything out for that? Any idea what the cost per cages is roughly?

All that wood (with cuts) was about $50 after tax IIRC.

I wanna say that whole thing is costing me about $350 total. Not sure though offhand :D

Well worked a ton more on it today.. with all the new additions.. I need it up and running now LOL...

Lots left to do.. gotta finish cutting the vinyl out of the vent holes.. installing the air vents.. finishing the vinyl install... doors... exterior walls (tho those aren't important for functionality, just looks)... Casters on it because GOOD LORD is it heavy!

But at least you get the idea now :-)

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WOrked on it more tonight.

Added more linoleum.. did some silicone... put the vents in... (the enclosure is upside down in some of the pics.. LARGE cage should be at the bottom)...

http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/36.jpg

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Looking good, my friend. :gj:

Thanks :-) You will have to check out my work up close in person whenever you come over and meet the menagerie LOL.

Hi,

It's coming along nicely. :)

This pic made me laugh - when are you moving in? :rofl:

http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/33.jpg

:D :D :D


dr del

LOL It all depends on how fast it gets done ;)
It was nice and cozy, very secure LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

It's coming along nicely. :)

This pic made me laugh - when are you moving in? :rofl:

http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/33.jpg

:D :D :D


dr del

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Wow, nice work. Enjoying the thread.

I am curious about the front, what is the design for the doors?

Thanks!

I was going to do drop downs.... but I think I have decided to do split doors that swing sideways instead :D

:) I'm actually doing both with my 4 cages. Because of the sizes of plexiglass I already have, I'm doing two with full size drop down doors, and two with double doors that open from the center. I'd like to see how the double doors work, since I already know that I like the drop down doors. I figured it would be cheaper than buying more plexi. :D

Cage system is looking good! :gj:

Thanks!!!!
Ya I think it will be easier to deal with that way. I can open both if needed, but if not then I can just go in one side and get the water or whatever.

I saw the picture of the mouse rack at the beginning and I was wondering if you have had any problems with chew outs? I have the same type of rack and the mice always seem to get their heads in the tiny little gap and chew their way out of the litter pans. Do you have that problem?

I did at first till i fixed it by bending the wire mesh down to fit tighter to the pans lip. This prevented them from chewing a hole. i have only 2 chew throughs but they didnt get out. but havent had one in 4 months since i fixed problem. you can also add something heavy on the screen to put pressure on t he screen.

Well its pretty much done. Some small finishes to do on the outside, but the snakes are living in it and LOVING it :-)

I had to throw in a pic of the JCP eating... because he is a hog, and not even moving phases his appetite.

Pic of flexwatt installed
http://www.flashforwardphotography.c...closure/44.jpg

i put linoleum in after that on the floor, but forgot to take anymore progress pics... just have the finished pics :)

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Ah, looking good! :) Only one recommendation/suggestion: You should have painted the shelves as well. When dealing with humidity, as these snakes need, you want to have all wood surfaces treated just in case.

Also, you'll want to give that JCP a MUCH taller cage as soon as possible. They're arboreal snakes and need height. :D

Other than that, Good Work! :gj: I should be finishing the first two of my stacking cages soon (if I can get my behind moving) and will post pictures ASAP.

Thanks! Ya I am still trying to figure out exactly what to do with the shelves LOL. They will probably get painted at some point in the near future (on a cage cleaning day or something).