Pictures of a new Cage Project

[Beardedragon]

Well, I have some extra glass peices ( Actually... a couple hundred peices) and some wood from work, and decided to put two and two together.

So far just the front is done, and the sides are in the making. I just had to wait to get some more stain, and for some nail glue to harden so I can use the clamps to finish the sides. Heres what I have so far, sorry for the crappy phone pics.

Front




^^ The side looks a little off centered with the bottom peice, I did fix that.


Side



Its going to be boxed in, and the top will be like the front, except screen and will hinge open.

Its either going to be a bearded dragon cage, or a Boa cage. Im not so sure with the screen top and being a Boa cage though.

Anyways, what do yo think? Ill keep updateing the thread with pics as it comes together.

[pliskin]

looks good so far, it looks like its gonna weigh a ton though.

can't wait to see the finished product.

[Beardedragon]

looks good so far, it looks like its gonna weigh a ton though.

can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks! Oh yeah, this thing is going to be a pain to move once its done, but the cage is going to be huge so its expected anyways.

I cant remember exact measurements, but its almost four feet wide and 20 inchs tall.

[j_h_smith]

Being too heavy could flex the unit and break the glass when you move it. Are you setting the glass in silicone or are they free floating?

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[pliskin]

Thanks! Oh yeah, this thing is going to be a pain to move once its done, but the cage is going to be huge so its expected anyways.

I cant remember exact measurements, but its almost four feet wide and 20 inchs tall.

I built one for my boa, and I used plexiglass instead since its lighter and I didn't want to worry about the glass breaking . But , you got your materials for free so , might as well use it.I also made it so I could disassemble it if I ever needed to move it. That would be the only thing I could suggest you might want to think about incorporating into your design so you won't break your back trying to move it.

I've had enough back breaking trying to lift glass aquariums for my brother , and decided if I was going to build a tank for my snake , it had to be able to break down so moving would be easy.

The only thing I was worried about was the plexi getting scuffed up , but so far it seems ok since my boa isn't rubbing against it as much as I thought she would.

[pliskin]

oh, one other thing.

I'm not quite sure how you joined the wood on your tank , but I think you might want to look into a kreg pocket hole kit.

I did mine using biscuits, but I got a kreg kit, and the next one I make I'll definitely be using the kreg kit. way faster since you won't need to wait for the glue to dry.

[Beardedragon]

Being too heavy could flex the unit and break the glass when you move it. Are you setting the glass in silicone or are they free floating?

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

They are sealed in, Now, I say its heavy, but not too heavy. The panes of glass are also seperate, so they have a little room to move. And if it does break everything was free so its not its not a huge lose, just going to be a pain tearing it apart to fix it and making it lighter. The peices of wood i use are 4 by 1s to0.

oh, one other thing.

I'm not quite sure how you joined the wood on your tank , but I think you might want to look into a kreg pocket hole kit.

I did mine using biscuits, but I got a kreg kit, and the next one I make I'll definitely be using the kreg kit. way faster since you won't need to wait for the glue to dry.

I was thinking of doing it that way, ill have to see. I have an idea of how I was going to do it but im just going to have to see how it works out once I get to the point where ive got to put it together.

Ive built cages before, this is just one of the bigger ones.

[Beardedragon]

Almost there, The front and sides are done, other than sanding it down good and restaining it.





And this is ma girl thats going in there once shes a little bigger.

[mechnut450]

looking good but I consider somethingot cover those edges ( glass) to prevent one form tilting just a hair and causing cuts and sharpe edges. since them rubbing against each other can lead to a crack. I used blue painters tape on mine ( just what i had on hand) the bottem edge still chipping a little so ever now and then I needot suck the fine glass shards(dust) out ot prevent it grom getting in any snake or hand. I say a simple molding strip and some slicone would solve it for you.

[Beardedragon]

looking good but I consider somethingot cover those edges ( glass) to prevent one form tilting just a hair and causing cuts and sharpe edges. since them rubbing against each other can lead to a crack. I used blue painters tape on mine ( just what i had on hand) the bottem edge still chipping a little so ever now and then I needot suck the fine glass shards(dust) out ot prevent it grom getting in any snake or hand. I say a simple molding strip and some slicone would solve it for you.

Im a little bit confused, the glass is glued onto the wood between two 1x4s. They wont be moving im pretty sure, and also, though you cant see it, they are ever so slightly spaced apart, maybe about 1 or 2 mm's. Im pretty sure no rubbing together will occur, unless the whole thing warps and ill be building this sucker strong and putting a good bit of sealer on it so I wont have to worry about water damage.

Also, what color does everyone thing it should be? I can either do a light Oak stain, or stain it black so its a solor color but you can still see the wood pattern.