Finally Built a Rat Rack!! And some advice for DIY rack building!

[Powerspythons]

So I finally got around to building myself a nice rat rack. I had been using sterilite/rubbermaid tubs before and they I was having to repair chew outs every 4-5 days with those and it was driving me nuts! Hopefully that problem will be solved with this rack!


I built it out of 2x3s and it is really stable without any braces or anything.(Thanks for the tip Tom!) I only have three tubs going now(the ones with water bottles) but the rest will fill up soon, and I hope to eventually get an auto-watering system in eventually as well.


On the bottom-right you can see the old tubs I was using..one still has the mice in it cause I didn't do any tubs on the rack with 1/4" mesh.

And here's a helpful hint: If you don't have some of these...get some!!!


It's called a 90* corner clamp and in my opinion it is a MUST have for any DIY rack builder. I got 4 of them online from home depot and they shipped free so it was only like $30. But really, if you don't have an extra set of hands to help you...or even if you do have someone helping you..These things are BETTER than an extra set of hands!

[jben]

That's a really nice rack, awesome job.

Sent from my MB501 using Tapatalk

[Powerspythons]

Thanks! It took me quite a few hours to finish it.

[kylesreptiles]

Good job it looks great. If you dont mind sharing, I would like to know how much it cost to build this rack? It looks clean and something I could do but I would need to make a couple.

[Powerspythons]

Good job it looks great. If you dont mind sharing, I would like to know how much it cost to build this rack? It looks clean and something I could do but I would need to make a couple.

The materials list was:
15 2x3s : $24
1 2'x25' roll of 1/2" hardware cloth: $25(There is enough extra for almost another entire rack)
6 mixing tubs from lowes(26"x20"x6"): $35

Total: $84

The most expensive part of these types of racks is if you put in an auto watering system. That can run as much as $50-$60

[Amon Ra Reptiles]

I make these racks and sell them I have probably made 15-20 of different sizes and styles and I gotta say those little corner clamps are the best building tip ever! There's no way I would build one without it.

[tomfromtheshade]

Wait until you decide to build 30-40 racks. You just build a jig to hold the wood for the frames. Now I just lay my jig down on my bench, insert my pre cut 2x3s and it holds everything together while I drill and screw.

If you want to know the REAL time saver it would be having two drill guns or having the quick change adapter to switch between your drill bit and your phillips bit.

[Powerspythons]

If you want to know the REAL time saver it would be having two drill guns or having the quick change adapter to switch between your drill bit and your phillips bit.

I've already got the quick change adapter! lol. and yes, it is a real time saver for sure! lol.

[CherryBlossom]

Rack looks awesome! Thanks for sharing.... Now time for me to get building a few more!

[Simple Man]

I am 95% sure I'm going to build a very similiar rack. I just want to get my snakes on rats before I do it so I don't have different hardware cloth on the tubs. I have those clamps too and they are great for all sorts of projects. Very nice work! I'm going to steal the 2x3 for the sides idea. I have 20+ 2x2 but I like the idea of 2x3 on the sides. I won't make a rack without the watering system though. The whole point of the rack is to save time and money. I don't want to be fussing with the rats all the time. Thanks for sharing!

Regards,

B