New kind of rack

[Kaorte]

So this summer I was going to buy a rack. Since then, I have decided that it would be more up my alley to make my own instead. I am an architecture student and I have quite a bit of experience with building structures, and I have access to a full wood shop (it is great).

Today I was doing a lot of brainstorming and I came across a few points that I for sure wanted to incorporate into my rack.

1. Economical: I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on supplies and I really would like to use as much recycled material as possible. I go to a school where sustainability is really important to everyone, and I will be dumpster diving like whoa come end of semester.

2. Portability: I am a college student and I see many moved in my future. I don't want to be carrying a 30 pound shelving unit around me every time I move into a tiny Chicago apartment. How can you go wrong with a portable rack?

3. Attractively Functional: Being an architecture student, I am taught to design everything with function in mind. If it doesn't serve a purpose, why put it there? I also want my rack to look GOOD. I see a lot of racks and yeah, they are functional but to be honest, they are really tacky. I don't want someone to walk into my room and ask why I have a shelf full of tubs. I want them to recognize it as a proper piece of furniture.


To accomplish these points, I decided on a few things:

1. I will use only 2x2's and 1/8th inch plywood.
2. I will make the shelves for the rack removable and the frame collapsible.
3. I will use these iris tubs
4. I will use 4" flex watt heat tape for belly heat. 4 of the 6 shelves will be wired in parallel, and the remaining 2 will be wired individually.


I don't have a picture of this yet, but one of these days I will throw together an awesome 3D model so you can all see what I see in my head.

Basically, I am going to make a 6 shelf rack frame using 2x2's.
I will make the frame collapsible using hinges. They will all be sanded down and have nice smooth edges. For installing the shelves, I will use this shelving system. This will give me a lot of height flexibility and will make it very easy to remove the shelves for transportation.

Each shelf will be made by making a frame out of 2x2's and putting plywood on the top and bottom. This makes the shelves hollow, light and seamless. The shelf's dimensions will be able to accommodate 1 iris 30qt tub or 2 iris 16qt tubs. This will make the rack flexible for juvenile ball pythons and adult ball pythons.

Here is what I am debating: For the frame, I really wanted something natural looking and I was thinking of using natural wood dowels. Obviously I would use something a bit thinner than this. They would still have minor inconsistencies but I think they would be a nice touch. Please tell me what you think of this idea! I really want to do a brownish black paint or stain, any one else have a color opinion?

[Laooda]

Sounds like it's going to be wonderful! can't wait to see pics of the finished product!

[ThyTempest]

Pics would help clear it up...but from what I am imagining, it doesnt sound functional enough for my tastes. I will say that I really don't care if something is horribly tacky if it serves the purpose beyond expectations.

I would be wary of the bearing capacity of the structure as a whole if the main beams/frames are on hinges.

[Kaorte]

Pics would help clear it up...but from what I am imagining, it doesnt sound functional enough for my tastes. I will say that I really don't care if something is horribly tacky if it serves the purpose beyond expectations.

I would be wary of the bearing capacity of the structure as a whole if the main beams/frames are on hinges.

I am in the process of a crappy 3D model. It is pretty hard to convey my thoughts through words.

3 of my classes in the last 2 semesters have been on structural capacities. If you want I can do all the calculations for you
Keep in mind, it is only six 7" shelves high. It shouldn't be more than 4 1/2' tall.

[brainman1000]

Instead of using hinges I would make separate frames for the sides, bottom, top, and back and use some type of pin or dowel system to hold them all together. Maybe even bolts. I dont think it will be heavy enough to worry too much about the structural capacity of the frame.

[Kaorte]

Instead of using hinges I would make separate frames for the sides, bottom, top, and back and use some type of pin or dowel system to hold them all together. Maybe even bolts. I dont think it will be heavy enough to worry too much about the structural capacity of the frame.

Yeah, now that I am modeling it, I am thinking about forgetting the hinges all together. It will still be really light and portable regardless.

[Kaorte]

Here are some renderings. They are pretty basic, but I hope it will get my point across.








This is just a general outline of what I am thinking of doing.

[brainman1000]

A couple things you might want to consider doing are putting castor wheels on the bottom so you can roll it around if you need to move it, and make it just big enough to fit the tubs to cut down on materials and weight.

[Kaorte]

A couple things you might want to consider doing are putting castor wheels on the bottom so you can roll it around if you need to move it, and make it just big enough to fit the tubs to cut down on materials and weight.

Yes, I was planning on putting something on the "feet" to make it easy to roll around. I didn't feel like modeling them though XD

I plan on making it to the exact dimentions of the tub, I was just eye balling this one just to give a general idea of what it would look like.