Building a rack for living room. Another temp question.

[whispersinmyhead]

I am settled on plans now. I am going to get a router and recess the heat tape like you have. I just don't like the idea of tubs rubbing the heat tape.

I don't like fixing problems I can avoid by putting in a little extra thought and work up front.

[kitedemon]

Jim,
You might take a peek at Baltic Birch ply. It is a funny size (60x60 in) But far better (stable and strength) than any other ply I have works with (ignoring marine grade mahogany) I don't think it is much more than regular ply (I pay wholesale on it so I can't say for sure)

Hosted on Fotki

[whispersinmyhead]

That looks really good! I didn't see any here but I am checking out some other lumber yards because I have a funny feeling Home Depot is a little overpriced for the quality. I had a hard time finding 3/4" stock that wasn't warped.

If I can't find decent plywood I going to look into finding black melamine. If I go with melamine I will be finishing the edges of course (i want it to look good) and siliconing the seams. I don't like the weight if it or all the glue but the melamine veneer is great for cleaning. Just want to lock away the cores against humidity and out gassing. I really hate the extra weight. PVC will be too costly though (of I could even find it here)

I hope to find some decent plywood. I used Minwax water based (oil modified) sealant on my current cage and it stands up pretty darn good.

I like that Baltic birch. Thanks!

[kitedemon]

Check out peacock lumber.

http://www.peacocklumber.ca/ash-maple.aspx

I believe they are in oshawa.

A bit pricey but I am unsure of retail pricing. It is worth the extra seriously good plywood and super stable. It is way stronger than standard fir so you may depending on the design be able to use 9mm or even 6mm.

[whispersinmyhead]

Thanks! I just realized I forgot to update my profile. I have moved up to Timmins ON. We moved just before Xmas.

There I just updated it LOL.

[whispersinmyhead]

Well I have shopped around and although I could make a great rack with y wood it is going to be even more costly than I anticipated. I am going to bend to the norm and white melamine it is. I could order black but at dour the cost! Plus it will take a whe to come in. I decided if I was going to spend $400 on a rack (plywood) then I would order a PVC rack. I may end up with one down the road but for now cheap wins. It rarely does with me but it frees up extra money for additional snakes, hatchling rack, incubator. There is a lot I still need so cheap racks to start. I think the. I will m is what I want in my next setup. I am going to make it a very clean looking setup and may incorporate a door vented well but secure. I will also be siliconing all seams and the back will be removable.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I have to be smart about this and I can't justify big money on home made when a good PVC rack would be a better choice for that price range.

This will be my first time working with melamine. I hope keeping it relatiy small it will keep its strength. God I hate white but I have doubling money for black even more.

[dillan2020]

If you don't like the white just rough up the surface with some sandpaper and paint it.

[whispersinmyhead]

If you don't like the white just rough up the surface with some sandpaper and paint it.

I didn't think you could paint melamine unless you use melamine paint which every store here is telling me they have discontinued for some reason.

I would have to leave the inside white but that may be an idea. I will look into painting it.

Thanks.