Rat Bins

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Hey Guys,

I got a bin like this off of a Ball Python Breeder who was using it for his feeders.
I started looking at the design and figured it was easy enough to make so I thought I would give it a shot.

It was VERY easy, and pretty cheap so I thought I would share the design with you guys.
I'm making a step-by-step guide this week when I make another one, and I'll post it.

This bin cost me around $17.00 to make (not including the tools I had to buy, which I'm sure are common household tools)






-WHAT YOU NEED-
Tools:
- Back Saw w/ mitre box for cutting on a 45 degree.
- Hand held drill w/ drill bits
- Clamp (optional, but very useful)
- Hammer
- Socket Set and wrench
- Metal Sheers

Materials:
-13 feet of milled wood (2x1) (just use whatever is cheapest, I picked up 16 feet for $3.00) - $3.00
-65 qt Sterilite bin - $10
-8 x 2.5" bolts - $2.00
-8 x matching nuts - $1.00
-Wire Mesh (Comes in sheets of 6' x 3.5' (makes 6 bins) - $12.00 for the roll
- Finishing Nails - $1.50

Step One: Measure and cut 4 x 20 inch pieces of wood with 45 degree angles on both ends (refer to pictures)
Step Two: Measure and cut 4 x 15.5 inch pieces of wood in the same way.
Step Three: Construct 2 frames measuring 20inches L x 15.5 inches W and use finishing nails to hold the conrners together. (It doesn't matter that the contstuction doesn't feel sturdy as the frames will be bolted to the lid of the sterilite bin in future steps)
Step Four: Once the frames are constructed, set them on top one another and clamp them together. Drill 8 holes, two in each side of the frames, evenly spaced. (This is where the wood will be bolted to the bin. (refer to pictures)
Step 5: Cut out the center of the sterilite bin's lid where it indents (I used the metal sheers, they worked great). Cut off the lips of plastic that stick up off the lid at this point as well.
Step 6: Cut out a piece of wire mesh measuring the same as your frame ( 20" L x 15.5" W)
Step 7: Place the Cut Sterilite lid down under one of the wood frames and line it up so that ALL the drilled holes are covering plastic. Using the frame as a guide drill out the matching holes in the bin lid.
Step 8: Place the first frame on the floor with the bolts in it sticking upwards, exposing the area that fits the nut. Next place the bin lid top down, over top of that, matching up all the holes and alowing the bin lid to sit flush over the first wood frame. Next place the wire mesh sheet over the bin lid, making sure the mesh is secured on every bolt. Lastly add the second frame, making sure everything lines up correctly.
Step 9: Secure everything together using the nuts and socket set.
Step 10: Hammer in a few finishing screws through the top of the completed enclosure lid to help hold the wire mesh in place.

This may seem a little confusing without pictures (I'll do that during the week and re-post this), but hopefully it gives you an idea of how to put this together.

This is the first one I have built and I have some ideas for changes to the design. There are some imperfections as I made a lot of errors (especially with drilling haha), but I learned along the way and I hope to correct all the issues when I make my next one. I have many different types of caging and this is my favorite. It allows for ample airflow while not allowing for substrate to spill out like you would get with standard caging. Also the lid is nice and heavy, and the edges of the lid become very stiff and ridgid. I've been using a bin like this for over a year and I never had an escape. Also I know the bin looks small in the pictures, next to my foot, but that'a just because I have size 16 boots..

Cheers,
Chris.