Animal plastic Cage's.

[cba191]

I've never really seen a PVC up close. I'm planning on documenting it so I can reproduce it if I want. With an RHP, i don't really have to worry about bottom heat.

[robert7107]

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

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Aedryan Methyus]

I feel your pain, Robert! My step dad used to help me build a lot of my magic props. Sadly, he is getting old and is battling cancer now and he just can't do the things he used to do. So, i'm on my own now. Compared to building magic props these enclosures are a piece of cake! There just isn't anything to them... Like I said before, I think I got into the wrong area of this hobby/sideline business for making money! lol Who knows... Maybe at some point I will start making enclosures on the side for money, too. Honestly, I hate building stuff, though! I only do it because I would rather save my money for more cool things than give it to someone else to do what I can just do myself... What really blows my mind is how much some of these companies are raping people for simple little rack systems and tubs! lol

[Sauzo]

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

I believe when i talked to Ali, they actually use a CNC machine to do their work but they only have 1 machine which is why it takes so long to get cages.

And I'd rather use the money for more snakes too but hey, if someone is skilled or has the machinery to do something and you dont, you pay lol. It's like when customers would say 'omg $4000 to change out my engine in my car'. Well if you know how to do it yourself, go for it. Otherwise you are paying for my knowledge and training to do it for you.

[robert7107]

I feel your pain, Robert! My step dad used to help me build a lot of my magic props. Sadly, he is getting old and is battling cancer now and he just can't do the things he used to do. So, i'm on my own now. Compared to building magic props these enclosures are a piece of cake! There just isn't anything to them... Like I said before, I think I got into the wrong area of this hobby/sideline business for making money! lol Who knows... Maybe at some point I will start making enclosures on the side for money, too. Honestly, I hate building stuff, though! I only do it because I would rather save my money for more cool things than give it to someone else to do what I can just do myself... What really blows my mind is how much some of these companies are raping people for simple little rack systems and tubs! lol

I was totally shocked my dad wanted to do it for me he doesn't like snakes I think because his granddaughter wanted it and it was something different from what he's done in the past. He built me a six foot long 28 in wide 16 inches tall for my dwarf female and he's currently building a four foot by 28 inch wide by 16 in for my male super dwarf...

I don't plan on buying any more reticulated pythons until I get a house which I'm looking at a three bedroom one for the reptile at that point in time I may want to venture into the mainland's and want to invest in a 8 foot long cages an also to have at least one on hand in case my dwarf Exede 14 ft..

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk