Plastic BP Cage

[LarryS]

Thanks Dale, and no offense taken.

Lucas and I are friends and have built a couple of other caging projects together. I probably should have put this in the DIY forum also.

[juddb]

Larry Stroud?

[LarryS]

Hi Lucas, I agree, the looks are important if you are going to go with higher end materials like that. Keep me posted.

Juddb, yes that is me.

[llovelace]

Hey Larry!! I didn't get a chance to you. When is the annual auction? Great looking cages.

[Clear]

I do not see any screw holes in the bottom picture, how did you bond it together?

[Denial]

Very nice looking

[Lucas339]

larry made me the same style cage only in a 24" cube....there are no screws holding the cage together. only screws to hold the door on.

[Envied Reptiles]

PVC sheet is easier to work with than wood in my opinion. It can be cut and screwed together with basic tools to make a simple box cage with sliding doors. I really think the cost is in line with wood once you figure in the price to seal and finish the wood.

Could you explain this in more detail? Im about to build a few more melamine racks, and if this is a feasible alternative I wouldn't mind trying. However, I have my doubts it is an easy alternative, but I really know nothing about using pvc/pvcx at all. What special tools are needed, where do you buy the pvc, etc etc. A play by play how to would be awesome.

[Lucas339]

pvc can be cut just like wood. a plywood blade will work great. it is lighter than melamine and will last longer in high humidity conditions. you can get it from you local plastic dealer. just search for an acrylic supplier and they maybe able to get it. just use it the same what (for a rack) that you would the melamine.

[LarryS]

Sorry I haven’t been replying to the questions.

I will be happy to help anyone in any way with the use of this material. Lucas is right on about the tool use. Most wood tools are fine with the pvc. I use only carbide tipped blades and cutters.

If it is going to be an exposed edge, I use a router to make the cut, but a saw blade is just fine if you are careful. I am anal about looks, everything has to be “pretty”.

The construction method I use does not require screws. The case is heat folded and the side panels are set into grooves. All joints have PVC cement applied to both sides after assembly.

My reason for posting these projects is to see more people using the plastic in the DIY segment of the hobby. It is a fantastic material to work with, easy to clean, safe and I think it looks good. It seems that people are very intimidated by this stuff, when in reality, if you consider that wood needs to be sealed/painted in some way, the plastic is much easier.

Larry Stroud
lstroud (at ) corntagious.net