A little help..Custom Enclosure time!

[purplemuffin]

So, I've never built ANYTHING in my life!! so forgive me for asking so many questions! The thing is I just don't know what to ask, you know? I don't even really know if I'm on the right track.


I have a new baby boa girl, and am hoping to start building her forever home as soon as I get back from college for spring break!

We are also very close to buying a brazilian rainbow boa, and we already have a ball python..


So I have a plan to build an 8x2x2 enclosure and another 8x2x2 enclosure stacked on top that is divided(into two 4x2x2 enclosures).. I want to have them stacked, but separate so they can be removed or reorganized later.. Ok this is hard without a picture, I did a quick little sketch in paint showing my idea



I included the little 'legs' because I wanted to use heat tape on the bottom to give belly heat! I'm currently learning how to wire and set up flexwatt right now!

The circles with the lines through them are vents, i would make sure to cut the wood to fit the size vent, and make sure that they are not able to be pushed out!

One of my friends on another forum made a cage like this and was not able to provide a good heat gradient with just flexwatt, so I made room for putting a light/ceramic heat emitter to provide the extra heat if needed


I have NO idea how to build the doors..I've been told drop down doors are the easiest to make, and I like the idea of building them! If anyone has some 'building snake enclosure doors for dummies" advice, I'd love to hear it..


As far as sealing...Drylok? Anyone use that? I haven't gone to the store yet, but can it come in different colors/can it be mixed to different colors and work?


I don't really have any clue where to start, and I'm going crazy trying to figure it out myself, so before I start cutting and painting I figured I'd ask the people here!!

[purplemuffin]

I can't figure out how to edit my post!

From people with experience building....Is a drop down door easier, or would you suggest I try to build a sliding door? Sorry to post again!

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

If you can afford it aluminum sliding track can be bought at your local glass shop it can be kinda pricey sometimes but they can cut the glass and install the track on it to fit yur opening the all you have to do is screw I. The track to your enclosure it looks very professional. Tell them you are making a display case type of set up and they should be able to give you a quote based on your opening size. Hope this helps good luck!

[purplemuffin]

How expensive are we talking?


Thanks! I really do like the look of the sliding doors, but they looked like they would be hard to install!

Is there a way to lock sliding doors or are they pretty much designed in a way that a snake isn't going to push herself out of it?

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

You can buy a display case lock for like 5 bucks at lowes

[kitedemon]

Drop downs are easy sliding needs a fair bit of care to get the alignment perfect and the enclosure must be flat and stay flat or sliders will not be removable or worse bind and not open or close. With your experience I'd say drop down for sure! There are a number of lock systems the easiest are cheap cam locks like these drop down,

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/pag...419,41455&ap=2

sliding door lock,
http://www.technologylk.com/crl-chro...htm?src=nextag

Alex

[purplemuffin]

I think the main thing I might have trouble with is figuring out how to frame the wood around the glass in the drop down door? Do i just..set the glass in from one side and glue it in somehow? That is the area that baffles me! I don't want it to fall out or anything!

Thanks for the links on those locks!! You guys are a great help!

[Jeremy78]

If you put glass in just build a frame. Don't glue it cause if it breaks the whole enclosure is garbage.

[grits]

If you have a router, but the frame together with pocket screws then run a 1/4" groove around the inside of the frame with a rabbit bit.

If you dont have a router use 3/4" stock for the frame. Set the table saw blade to 1/2 the height of the stock apx 3/8". Then set you fence on 3/8" . Run your frame stock flat then on the edge to create a rabbit. after you run each piece miter the edges and put it together with bisquits or pocket screws.

[BPelizabeth]

If you build the box itself then take the measurements a lot of glass companies will cut the glass and give you the slider part all in one. Then you fit it in the box....after that you put your frame around it.

I might also add that whatever you are putting the heat tape on make sure it can be removed just in case something goes bad you can get to it.