Quote Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus View Post
I don't personally have the greatest tools for woodworking, either. My step dad has just about every woodworking tool known to man, though. So, I build a lot of my magic props in his garage. It just sucks that him and my mom live about 100 miles away. But, consider this... For what some of you guys are paying for some of these enclosures you could buy a few basic tools in addition to materials and still be waaaay ahead. $20.00 additional for locks? Come on! lol There's a new jigsaw right there! Then you would have the tools to build more enclosures, which you will undoubtedly need since we will never have enough snakes... lol Also, I know a lot of times high schools will have programs that allow people to come in a night or two a week and use their shops for a couple of hours. Maybe some of you might want to check into that...

I haven't ever worked with PVC board yet, but everyone says it is super easier to work with. Even easier than wood and definitely easier than melamine! I think the trickiest part to building these enclosures is routering about a 20" section out on the bottom piece down to about an 1/8" for the heat tape and that's even pretty simple. If you want a light and/or shelving in it, jeeeez... How simple and cheap! The only tools you really need to build these is a skill saw, jigsaw, router, sander, cordless drill, a square and a tape measure. A set of clamps would make life easier as well. Also, Lowes will cut out all of the initial pieces for you for free. I built two 10 tub melamine racks and both times I had them cut out every single piece for me right at Lowes. Then I loaded the pieces up in my Mustang (Aaargh! lol) and took them home and put them together...

Anyway, I didn't mean to hijack this thread and turn it into a whole DIY thing, but man... I know I would rather be spending hundreds/thousands of dollars on more cool snakes than way overpriced enclosures and shipping costs! lol
Me neither.. my dad after retirement has become quite the Craftsman with wood.
I asked him to build me a couple cages he did but he doesn't have any further interest in building anymore unfortunately I have interest in getting more snakes LOL that I'll need parts cages..

Some of my dad's handy work. Off topic off course

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