Thoughts?

[Craiga 01453]

So as some of you know I've decided to focus my resources on enclosure and equipment upgrades for the time being while holding off on any new snakes. I make crap money, so I need to be careful while choosing my plan of action.

Well, I've tossed ideas around in my head for months now, and still haven't decided which route I'm going...but.... I think I have a plan...
I really wish I could afford a stack of APs, but I just can't.
I'm much more of a display enclosure guy, so I have been reluctant to switch to a rack system.

Well, my old man is selling his house and offered me a bunch of stuff. One of those items is plastic stackable shelving (pic below). Now I've seen this shelving used for tubs, buuuuut....
What if I used it as a frame??? And built 4 stacked display enclosures???? My thought is plywood backs and sides, with a layer of foam insulation and then a laminate finish. This would hold heat extremely well, I believe. It would also leave a clean finish inside and I'd likely paint the outside or laminate that as well.
I plan to use back heat supplied by a RHP. The "floors" would just be plywood, sealed, of course. Then I would install sliding glass doors.
I have the tools and carpentry skills to complete this project with no problem.

The shelving unit is 36"W x 24"D with an individual enclosure height of 17". The unit is 5 shelves high, but I'd leave the bottom open for storage.

Has anybody done this? Seen it done?? Seen anything similar?
Thoughts? Ideas on improving my plan?
If my plan stinks, don't be shy. You won't hurt my feelings...

Thanks in advance!!!

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[MR Snakes]

Just wondering if the plastic will be strong enough. Otherwise sounds like a great idea.


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[Craiga 01453]

Just wondering if the plastic will be strong enough. Otherwise sounds like a great idea.


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It's rated for 1000 pounds, I believe

[CALM Pythons]

No way that plastic will hold Heavy plywood. Your taking about a stack.. it will also be “Tippy” as hell only being 36” deep. You would have a lot better luck framing it with 2x4’s than any plastic frame. Also a plastic frame will not allow you to bolt or screw to it. Bad idea I’m afraid. Id hate to see you waste money and time and for it not to work. You want something that will last.
I understand your money situation, I have kids that use all mine hahaha.. but saving $200 for each T8 or $250 for each T10 would be worth the wait even it it took a year. I have learned doing things right the first time saves me money and stress.


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[Craiga 01453]

No way that plastic will hold Heavy plywood. Your taking about a stack.. it will also be “Tippy” as hell only being 36” deep. You would have a lot better luck framing it with 2x4’s than any plastic frame. Also a plastic frame will not allow you to bolt or screw to it. Bad idea I’m afraid. Id hate to see you waste money and time and for it not to work. You want something that will last.
I understand your money situation, I have kids that use all mine hahaha.. but saving $200 for each T8 or $250 for each T10 would be worth the wait even it it took a year. I have learned doing things right the first time saves me money and stress.


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Hmmmm...you sure? I'm not asking because I doubt you, but because I feel the shelves would hold up well being rated for 1000 pounds. I'd be using 1/8" plywood, plus foam insulation and an 1/8" laminate. So weight would be minimal. But, I could definitely be wrong. So figured I'd ask.
Also, I've seen people on YouTube screw into these exact shelves. Again, not saying it's right, just saying I've seen it done.

[CALM Pythons]

Hmmmm...you sure? I'm not asking because I doubt you, but because I feel the shelves would hold up well being rated for 1000 pounds. I'd be using 1/8" plywood, plus foam insulation and an 1/8" laminate. So weight would be minimal. But, I could definitely be wrong. So figured I'd ask.
Also, I've seen people on YouTube screw into these exact shelves. Again, not saying it's right, just saying I've seen it done.

No I’m not sure.. Im making a educated guess from trying similar things. Ive screwed a lot of things up hahahahaha. It seems it would be flimsy in my experience. Now very wide but tall and heavy on a plastic frame. Also i cant imagine a piece of plywood would staying screwed to thin plastic. No nut to hold it in. Screwing into plastic isnt like screwing into wood. That plastic is a hollow tube. Seems as though the screw would pull out of the plastic frame with any force. The shelves are rated for things sitting on top of them, and I cant see 1000 lbs sitting in the middle of one of those. Is that 250lbs each shelf x’s 4 shelves your getting the 1000 lbs from? In my experience cheap 2x4’s are the way to go. You dont have to use pressure treated so your talking about $3 each for 2x4x8’ and nothing will break those. I built my Stand and have 3 AP enclosures sitting on it. Thats very heavy and works great..... Think about it a little bit. All it would take is the glass in the front being heavy sitting on the outside edge of the plastic frame and bowing it a little and you’d start to have problems. After all that work and money you’d be pissed.


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[Bogertophis]

It's rated for 1000 pounds, I believe

But that's not with heat, and over time, I wouldn't trust plastic to hold the weight of that much plywood...otherwise, a good idea...but you'd be better off starting
from scratch, IMO. I'd be hesitant about the mixed materials, but I'm all for creativity and I've converted solid wood furniture* before. I'd just hate to see you going
all in on those, only to have them fail.

*BTW, my conversions have included putting sides, back & sliding glass doors on solid wood aquarium stands built for 60+ gal. tanks
that already had just a "shelf" underneath; very similar idea, but as was mentioned, attaching to hollow slippery plastic...I wouldn't try.

[Craiga 01453]

No I’m not sure.. Im making a educated guess from trying similar things. Ive screwed a lot of things up hahahahaha. It seems it would be flimsy in my experience. Now very wide but tall and heavy on a plastic frame. Also i cant imagine a piece of plywood would staying screwed to thin plastic. No nut to hold it in. Screwing into plastic isnt like screwing into wood. That plastic is a hollow tube. Seems as though the screw would pull out of the plastic frame with any force. The shelves are rated for things sitting on top of them, and I cant see 1000 lbs sitting in the middle of one of those. Is that 250lbs each shelf x’s 4 shelves your getting the 1000 lbs from? In my experience cheap 2x4’s are the way to go. You dont have to use pressure treated so your talking about $3 each for 2x4x8’ and nothing will break those. I built my Stand and have 3 AP enclosures sitting on it. Thats very heavy and works great..... Think about it a little bit. All it would take is the glass in the front being heavy sitting on the outside edge of the plastic frame and bowing it a little and you’d start to have problems. After all that work and money you’d be pissed.


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Thanks a ton, Christian!

Still in the planning stages, so I'm glad I asked.

[Craiga 01453]

But that's not with heat, and over time, I wouldn't trust plastic to hold the weight of that much plywood...otherwise, a good idea...but you'd be better off starting
from scratch, IMO. I'd be hesitant about the mixed materials, but I'm all for creativity and I've converted solid wood furniture before. I'd just hate to see you going
all in on those, only to have them fail.

Thank you! I'm glad I asked. Maybe I'll just upgrade heating and tstats for now and pop some tubs into the shelves. Then save my pennies for some APs or similar...

[Lord Sorril]

I wrecked one of those plastic racks ages ago trying to modify it for a rat breeding setup: when you screw into the 'supports' you create small cracks...as you add weight the cracks slowly start to spread-I tried to reinforce mine with duct tape only to have the hollow tubes collapse inwards...fail...