To build or buy?

[Lupe]

I have the thumbs up from my mom and have started setting money aside to hopefully start my little collection next year. The one thing that has me stuck is; build or buy racks? I really don't know how well I can use the tools needed to build myself some racks and I would rather not get all the materials and end up building a rack that I will have issues with. I don't really have anyone to help me either, I'm worried I might hurt myself trying to build one. Should I could try building a 4 or 6 tub rack to start and see how that goes?

[knox]

I have built many racks (and sold every one). I have also bought.

I have just ordered a 6 high 32 qt Animal Plastic Econo Plastics. This time around, I didn't feel like the time and effort were worth it to build.

Don't get me wrong, the best part of a home made rack to me is building it. But since I live in an apartment now, I had nowhere to work.

A good way to do a test run is to just build a small 2 high rack. That will give you experience in spacing and such. I have learned more from mistakes I made than the things I did well. And each build was better than the previous.

But don't feel like a failure if you simply order one. It sure saves a lot of hassle.

[Solarsoldier001]

I have the thumbs up from my mom and have started setting money aside to hopefully start my little collection next year. The one thing that has me stuck is; build or buy racks? I really don't know how well I can use the tools needed to build myself some racks and I would rather not get all the materials and end up building a rack that I will have issues with. I don't really have anyone to help me either, I'm worried I might hurt myself trying to build one. Should I could try building a 4 or 6 tub rack to start and see how that goes?

I kinda "assisted" my boyfriend in making his rack. It wasn't hard. Although he did have the necessary tools to assist him. Even so, after all said and done he ended up spending just a bit less then if he was to buy. If you enjoy the figuring out the measurements or building things (aka living on the wild side), then I'd say go for it and build yourself one. But if you don't enjoy or like to take a risk, then I'd just buy. My boyfriend said that he'd most likely will end up buying one of the professional ones next time because it really wasn't that much of a difference in price. But it was fun figuring out all the dimensions and building it. It was nice trying at least on the first one. Hope this helps

[VEXER19]

If you don't have the tools or any experience then I would recommend buying one. Building is fun like I'm doing with my big vivarium I'm in the process of building but can be very time consuming and stressful if you are inexperienced. So your probably better off buying one unless you want to customize it or custom fit it somewhere. Either way if you decide to build it and need help just snap a pic of where you are in the build and I'm sure one of us handy people will be on to help. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[devildog_dk]

If you don't have the tools or any experience then I would recommend buying one. Building is fun like I'm doing with my big vivarium I'm in the process of building but can be very time consuming and stressful if you are inexperienced. So your probably better off buying one unless you want to customize it or custom fit it somewhere. Either way if you decide to build it and need help just snap a pic of where you are in the build and I'm sure one of us handy people will be on to help. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Only 1 way to get the experience though. Just stick with the rule of measure twice cut once though and you'll be good. Bonus is your next one will be even better, thats how experience works.

[Wh00h0069]

Build them. There is no reason to waste your money when they are so simple and cheap to build. Cages, on the other hand, I always buy them.

[VEXER19]

Build them. There is no reason to waste your money when they are so simple and cheap to build. Cages, on the other hand, I always buy them.

I agree but depending on what she is looking to build the tools she will need coulc be quite costly. Since she has been having to save up money for this its hard to say what would be cheaper. If she had the tools I would agree with you to build it and save money. I guess it just comes down to what she wants exactly. Or if she plans on having molre racks in the future becase then it would maks sense for her to buy the tools, but not fo just a 1 time project.

[Virus]

I vote to just buy.

It usually isn't much of a difference in price to buy or build. Though I'd rather take my free time doing other important things, like actually being around my animals, or seeing the family. Sorry, I just have a limited amount of freetime, so I don't want to build.

Then again, I also had a friend help me build four bearded dragon cages, and that took us about the same amount of time to get around to finishing as it did for me to wait for my boaphile rack to show up.

Other than that..

[Lupe]

I might try to build one, my dad actually has all the tools I need. It's just a matter of having a little help, my parents are going through a bad divorce and my mom will not let him out here at all and he is living in an apartment so I don't know how I could get his help.
I think I'd start with a small rack that would fit 2 or 3 sizes of tub so I could move my 400ish gram and 1800ish gram normals into it (if it works.)

Thanks for all your input So unless the price of the materials I need comes out to be more than a rack I will attempt to build, unless this local guy who says he build them decided to stop ignoring me Almost got a beautiful dark mojave female from him.

[Wh00h0069]

I vote to just buy.

It usually isn't much of a difference in price to buy or build.

I can build a 12 tub high sub-adult rack or half the price of buying one that holds four tubs.