custom build finished pics

[The Serpent Merchant]

I have the herpstat sitting on the shelf behind the door and its not screwed down at all. I did pop the little sticky feet off the bottom of the herpstat and move them back a 1/2" I cut a hole in the door which flips up on a piano hinge so the unit stays in place when I access the upper electrical area. I do have to open the door and hold the herpstat when changing the settings otherwise it just slids back out of the opening, but I rarely have to make many changes.

Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

[norwegn113]

Makes sense. What I have in mind is a free standing control panel that I wont have easy access behind, so I'm going to have to find a way to secure the herpstats.

Here is a computer model of what I have in mind:

Wow! Thats all i can say. Thats an amazing set up. I would love something like that. Ok back to business. Lol i love the control panel concept. The herpstats would definately have to be solid mounted there are just too many to be loose. What about making a framework out of metal angle that the herpstats can slid into much like you would do with a commercial IT set up , then use snap clips to remove the front cover for maintenence? Man, im excited for you, this would be a FUN build.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Part of me just wants to use herpstat intro+'s as the cost is actually slightly less and they are already setup for a panel mount, but they are lacking a few features that I like in the 4. I'm by no means going to be building this entire system all at once. Right now I have 6 AP T8's and a few other size AP cages but I want to have a plan in place for expansion.

The computer rack idea is a good one. I've opened up a herpstat 4 and there is enough room inside for the screws/nuts that would be required to attach them to a rail. I have also considered using hot glue, but I want this to be as easy to maintain as possible so I would like to avoid things like that.

[Capray]

That's awesome! I love when cages are truly pretty. So this one is for you personally?

[norwegn113]

That's awesome! I love when cages are truly pretty. So this one is for you personally?

Capray, which enclosure are you talking about, the unit I posted or the one serpent merchant ( black one) posted? The red colored wood unit is one of the stacks I personally use but I also build that style in for sale units.

[Capray]

I meant the reddish one. It's really nice.

[norwegn113]

Part of me just wants to use herpstat intro+'s as the cost is actually slightly less and they are already setup for a panel mount, but they are lacking a few features that I like in the 4. I'm by no means going to be building this entire system all at once. Right now I have 6 AP T8's and a few other size AP cages but I want to have a plan in place for expansion.

The computer rack idea is a good one. I've opened up a herpstat 4 and there is enough room inside for the screws/nuts that would be required to attach them to a rail. I have also considered using hot glue, but I want this to be as easy to maintain as possible so I would like to avoid things like that.

I looked at the herpstat 4's that I have and you are right, I see no reason that you could not use those two bottom screws that hold the case together for the mounting screws with just a little longer screw. So your plans are to stack individual units to eventualy complere a "wall" and then make a custom corner control panel? If so that would be an awsome set up because it would break down for easy moving.

[norwegn113]

I meant the reddish one. It's really nice.

Ok cool, thats the ones I build. It is three individual units stacked on each other then is surrounded by an outter decorative shell. The unit breaks down for easy movability. The cages are made from 3/4" birch plywood and the interiors are lined with a product called frp which helps keep moisture problems at bay. Each individual cage measures4'×2'×2'. Thanks for the compliments. I am very proud of the way these turned out.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I looked at the herpstat 4's that I have and you are right, I see no reason that you could not use those two bottom screws that hold the case together for the mounting screws with just a little longer screw. So your plans are to stack individual units to eventualy complere a "wall" and then make a custom corner control panel? If so that would be an awsome set up because it would break down for easy moving.

Yep that's the plan. Individual stacks 6 cages high with a corner panel that acts as the brain. Moving is a big deal for me as I tend to do it a lot lol. Each individual cage is only 48" x 24" x 12" and the individual cages break down flat if I really have to move them long distance.

On a side note I was wondering how you got all the details on your cages? Do you purchase the wood like that or do it yourself?

[norwegn113]

Yep that's the plan. Individual stacks 6 cages high with a corner panel that acts as the brain. Moving is a big deal for me as I tend to do it a lot lol. Each individual cage is only 48" x 24" x 12" and the individual cages break down flat if I really have to move them long distance.

On a side note I was wondering how you got all the details on your cages? Do you purchase the wood like that or do it yourself?

Being able to easily move things is a big deal for me as I too have had to move a few times in the past few years. It seems as though corners, doors and stairways just keep getting smaller and smaller! Lol. As for your side note most of the custom machine work you see I do myself. I do buy a few ready made mouldings and cut them to fit but for the most part I machine most of it. I have been very blessed to have collected a large tool selection over the years as a carpenter and I am more blessed to finally be able to use them to do something I truely enjoy.