Should i buy or build a rack??

[Pale Rider 777]

Ok. so i've got a BP who's still pretty small, but i was considering expanding my collection. I only plan on getting a couple more snakes, so i was wondering if it would be cheaper for me to just buy than to build? I was looking at the v-18 from cserpents and $180+$40 shipping isnt bad. What do you think? Also, if i should buy what do you suggest? Sorry if i put this in the wrong section i wasnt quite sure where i should put it

[durke]

Building your own rack is usually a lot cheaper, but it depends on what materials you choose.

[Pale Rider 777]

Ok, so what would be the best materials to use? Also, if anyone has a link to a good tutorial it would be amazingly helpful since ive never built anything..ever lol

[notmyfault]

When I built my own rack, I used melamine. It's pretty heavy but holds heat very well. If you know want something lighter you could go the XPVC route. SimpleMan did a write up on the DIY forum. I can't provide a link at the moment, Tapatalk doesn't allow me to link other threads for some reason.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2

[Pale Rider 777]

When I built my own rack, I used melamine. It's pretty heavy but holds heat very well. If you know want something lighter you could go the XPVC route. SimpleMan did a write up on the DIY forum. I can't provide a link at the moment, Tapatalk doesn't allow me to link other threads for some reason.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2

It's ok i have the tapatalk app too so i understand. I'm fine with using melamine...whichever is cheapest lol....did you make yours like SimpleMan's? He said his came out to $216..is that the general price i'm looking at when it comes to building?

[Mike41793]

I built my own rack for like $150 out of melamine. NOT including the cost of the tstat though. $150 includes melamine, tubs, screws, and heat tape.

[Pale Rider 777]

Awesome rack I like it!!! Did you use a tutorial or just do it yourself?

[S.I.R.]

I like melamine personally. Easy to work with and holds heat well. It is also moisture resistant.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Build or buy depends on your budget and how you value your time.

I have built several racks but have slowly moved away from that to buy racks instead.

I like for my rack to be sturdy yet light so Melamine is out of the question plus wood tend to expend and contract a lot.

I have replaced almost all my racks with animal plastics racks and could not be happier, I price building a rack myself with the same material and the saving would have only been about $50 not worth it IMO

[reptileexperts]

x2 with Deborah, I built my first rack and realized I saved about $60 vs getting one shipped ready to go, and I did not have to fiddle with heat tape wiring and possibly off fitting. . . Buy if you can, build if you need to save money. But if you don't mind the heavier wooden style racks, you can save a little more in comparison to PVC.