DIY Rat Rack done!

[Simple Man]

2"x2" - rack construction (12 total 2"x2" I believe, get 2 more if you want side braces)

04 x 66" legs
12 x 27" tub slides
18 x 24" screen frame ends and center
12 x 21.5" screen frame front and back
04 x 10" scrap pieces for spacers between assembling levels

2"x4" - used for stop and bracing

01 x 66" stop and brace

Misc Parts

06 x MacCourt 26" x 20" High Density Polyethylene Small Black All Purpose Tub Item #: 19251 Model #:AT2606 (purchased at Lowes)

01 box x 3" Woodscrews (used for construction of the rack)
01 box x 2.5" Woodscrews (used to hold the tub rails/slides on and the back stop/brace)

1. Measure twice and cut once! Take into account the blade width or else you will end up with pieces that are too short. My blade was 1/8" of an inch. Check yours! We cut each piece of wood one at a time so that everything was on point. I'd recommend you take the time to do the same.

2. Predrill all of your holes or you WILL split the wood. 2 drills with one drilling and one screwing speeds things up A LOT. I would drill a hole at a time or else you aren't going to line up and square properly. Use the 3" screws for the construction of the frames and rack.

3. I used the 90 degree corner clamps when building the frames. Without these your rack is going to be jacked up and not square. They were worth the $12 for 4 of them (Harbor Freight). Be sure to assemble the frames on the ground with the clamps and then set on a tub to drill and screw together. The ground helps keep them square until the 90 degree clamps are attached. After the clamps are on we moved a tub in to drill/screw. This will speed things up.

4. Make sure the frame is placed with the screen facing up when building upside down! Be careful after you have the legs attached to the first level. I recommend installing the first level with the rack sideways using another frame to help support the legs. They are not supported and will be weak. After all 4 legs are installed on the first frame you will want the rack to be standing upside down. Be sure to use the 10" spacers and make sure both the frames and spacers are pushed down tightly. I would recommend 2 people for this portion. You want the levels to be squared up as possible.

5. I placed the tubs in upside down and used a piece of carboard approx 1/8 of an inch thick between my slide rails and tubs. I have super friendly pet rats and no chewing issues. If you're using a hands off don't spend time with your rats approach you might want to use even less spacing because your rats will be fairly wild and trying to escape constantly. Using some scrap NONTREATED wood for them to chew on helps a lot.

6. After the slides/rails are installed with the 2.5" screws I flip the rack back over and install the rear 2"x4" tub stop/brace with 2.5" screws also. If you do this it can also act like another leg and help keep your rack level.

7. Stand back and enjoy your new rat rack! Fill it up and watch the snake food cometh!

Any questions, please feel free to PM me!

Regards,

B

[cmz1234]

Thanx again Brian!!!

[wolfy-hound]

Awesome DIY thread!! Thanks man!

[Simple Man]

Thanx again Brian!!!

Awesome DIY thread!! Thanks man!

You're welcome. It is the least I can do. I try to give back some of what I've learned from this site and others. We're all here to help each other right? And brag once in awhile

Regards,

B

[kylesreptiles]

Great job on the rack, I cant wait to build mine!!

[satomi325]

Thanks for the tutorial!
This was extremely helpful.

Do you know if the tubs come in other sizes?

[Simple Man]

They do but they have ridges in them. That's bad for chewing. These tubs are specifically used because they are smooth with no edges at all. The only other one that is ridgeless that I'm aware of is even larger.

Regards,

B

[Johnny84]

Hey Simple Man....

What was the total cost for the bins, wood, screws and hardware cloth?

[Simple Man]

I would say $90-100 built. That's my best guess adding stuff up in my head. I've always had some part or another extra so I've never bought everything on one receipt. One batch of rats pretty much covered the entire cost of the rack. I couldn't afford to feed my collection otherwise.

Regards,

B

[Johnny84]

Ok cool..I think im gunna build one this weekend! So Im probably a tard but...How much wood and what type should I buy?

Thanks man!