Melamine

[AcePythons]

Quick question about melamine when building your own rack...

Would the 5/8 be thick enough/sturdy enough to support full grown ball pythons in 41 qts? Or would you suggest the 3/4?

Also, if you have had experience with melamine, what kind of screws did you use? I have used melamine before and it cracked, but that was when screwing into it.

Any pointers would help, Thanks!

[fabolousphil]

Use the 3/4. if you pre-drill with a smaller drill bit before you screw it together you shouldn't have a problem. I am working on a rack and a guy at home depot gave me a great idea. he said every time he uses melamine he drills and then puts some wood glue in the hole then drives the screw in. It will keep it together a little better, as long as you are not planning on ever taking it back apart.

[BallsUnlimited]

pre drilled holes have worked best for me. I found that it would crack much easier if i didnt do the pre drilled holes. Also take your time bc it can be quite frustrating working with it for the first couple times.

[Old_School]

Use sheetrock screws

a pic of one of the racks I made using melamine. I am very happy with them, just make sure to use some dividers to keep the shelves from sagging with time. Also pre-drill your srew holes to prevent cracking.

[Old_School]

Here is a taller rack I built also with melamine,

[AcePythons]

Thank you all for the posts, this was VERY helpful. We're using melamine for the shelves and Poplar wood for the frame and pegboard for the sides to hold in a bit more heat/humidity (Arizona = dryyyy air!). I'll post pics when we finish! (And pics of the snakes as well!)

[BallsUnlimited]

Use sheetrock screws

a pic of one of the racks I made using melamine. I am very happy with them, just make sure to use some dividers to keep the shelves from sagging with time. Also pre-drill your srew holes to prevent cracking.

Here is a taller rack I built also with melamine,

come to long island and build my racks in the future please???hahah you do some awesome work. I wish mine came out as good as those. great work

[newreptilecages]

3/4" is a must. drywall screws with wide threads. pre-drill. use a cross-cut saw blade, and tape the top surface prior to cutting. this will prevent excessive chipping of the face which can be problematic with melamine.
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