DIY Rack... Whoo-Hoo!!!

[LittleTreeGuy]

After a month of searching for pvc sheeting, I had given up and decided I'd just build a rack out of melamine. Today I just thought to myself... Hey, there is a pretty big sign company nearby, let me give them a call. BOOM!!!! They have 1/2" pvc sheeting. Black or white.

Looks like I'll be building in the near future!!!

I was thinking about something maybe 6 or 7 shelves with the option of holding two different sized tubs. The more I think about it though, maybe I should just do a 2 or 3 shelf to hold 15qt tubs and then later on build a rack that is 4 or 5 shelves for just 32 and/or 41qt tubs.


Any suggestions?

I only have one BP now, around 115g, and hope to pick up a few more in the next few months, but expect those to be jouveniles as well.

[bproffer]

Hope it was a good price. I just called a local plastics company here and they quoted me $19.00/sq. ft.

[LittleTreeGuy]

$120 for a 4'x8' sheet of 1/2"... black or white. They can get other colors in 1/4", but I'm going with 1/2" for the rigidness and extra insulation.

[JoshSloane]

I think that going with a 4-5 level 41 qt tub rack is a good starting point. In my opinion you can make a 41 qt tub work for any age and size of BP, as long as you use appropriate hides and shelter for babies.

[Ax01]

are u planning to crate channels/joints to make the shelves? like this:



can u use a router or Dremel on PVC to do this? (tho i would imagine a Dremel would be wildly uneven without the proper guides.) outside of a CNC machine, what are the options?

a simple screw build would work, but i would prefer proper joints for stability and the right fit/finish and looks.

[JoshSloane]

That's a cool design Ax, but might be difficult for a first timer. I have built many racks and cages with just screws and they have stood the test of time.

[bcr229]

Have you tried Home Depot? A lot of stores in the mid-Atlantic region have started carrying white PVC sheet, a 4x8x1/2" piece is $78.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Don't know how well a dado cut would work on PVC?
I would bet trying to use a router would sling molten plastic too?

I would get a sheet to play with IF I could get it at a reasonable price.

[AKA Dave]

Dado cuts are fine for PVC. I use it on all of mine. Here's the rub though. There's a fine line between getting it right, and having a melted mess on your hands. Aside from that, it's doable and makes for a much stronger design. You can do it with just the screws, but remember that the PVC is a softer material. It will benefit from the joinery and it adds a cool factor, and makes it a lot easier to assemble. Granted I am using a CNC table, but a router will get it done IF you use a guide. That's a must. AND remember that the PVC cuts like butter. Get it right on a piece of wood first. Also, don't make the span of the shelves too long or wide without support. It will sag if you are not careful, even the 12mm or 1/2 inch stuff. BTW, use the 6mm or 1/4 for the backing and save some $$$. It's not structural.

EDIT TO ADD. Don't use the 6mm for anything else besides the backing. It's too thin. The OP is right. Use the 12mm for the strength.

Dave

[bproffer]

I just received a quote from another local dealer.

Expanded PVC sheet:

• 3/8” x 48” x 96” white $ 95.80
• 3/8” x 48” x 96” black $ 107.80

• 1/2” x 48” x 96” white $ 119.80
• 1/2” x 48” x 96” black S 131.80