Building a ball python rack

[dylan815]

After searching far and wide for pvc board to use for my 4 snake rack, I ended up having to use melamine. Today I cut all my pieces and now I am going to router a groove for the heat tape and assemble. I’ll post more pictures as it progresses.

[MD_Pythons]

Interested too see how that turns out

[dylan815]

Interested too see how that turns out

I think it’s going to turn out well. I have all my pieces cut and am now waiting for my heat tape and thermostat. Then assemble it all and we’re good to go!


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[PitOnTheProwl]

I feel for you..
I cant wait to afford the XPVC to replace all of mine, they are so heavy.
FYI.... Put wheels on it.

[dylan815]

Me heat tape arrived today! I think I got 4 extra feet of it can you cut it to size with scissors??? Thanks!


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[tttaylorrr]

Me heat tape arrived today! I think I got 4 extra feet of it can you cut it to size with scissors??? Thanks!

yes, cut the clear parts and avoid the black.

[dylan815]

yes, cut the clear parts and avoid the black.

Thanks as always!


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[dylan815]

as i am sitting here looking at how thin the heat tape actually is i don't think using a router to make a groove will work. Its like 1/16 of an inch thick. Also, my tubs have a bulge around the outside of the bottom of the tank, about 1/2 wide all around. Do you guys think that this 1/2 touching the heat tape directly on each side would be alright? if it would that would leave a very nice 1/4 inch air gap across the width of the tub to vent. What do you all think? think this will work? also, is there any kind of tape or something i could put on heat tape for the tub to slide on? I feel like the 1/2 of the tub on each side will eventually wear down the tape. thanks!

[Ax01]

as i am sitting here looking at how thin the heat tape actually is i don't think using a router to make a groove will work. Its like 1/16 of an inch thick.

i think a groove for the heat tape is alot of extra work for a DIY rack. the groove would be really shallow and u would probably need to build a jig for consistent depth. this is not something i would freehand. i guess u can use dado blades on a table saw as well (but i'm not sure how effective they are at that shallow depth).

Also, my tubs have a bulge around the outside of the bottom of the tank, about 1/2 wide all around. Do you guys think that this 1/2 touching the heat tape directly on each side would be alright? if it would that would leave a very nice 1/4 inch air gap across the width of the tub to vent. What do you all think? think this will work?

that's fine. just as long as u can reach your optimum temps.

also, is there any kind of tape or something i could put on heat tape for the tub to slide on? I feel like the 1/2 of the tub on each side will eventually wear down the tape. thanks!

just use foil tape: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-...C-Tape/4009603 just tape down the sides of the heat tape over the copper part and u should be able to push and pull your tubs in and out seamlessly.

[dylan815]

i think a groove for the heat tape is alot of extra work for a DIY rack. the groove would be really shallow and u would probably need to build a jig for consistent depth. this is not something i would freehand. i guess u can use dado blades on a table saw as well (but i'm not sure how effective they are at that shallow depth).


that's fine. just as long as u can reach your optimum temps.


just use foil tape: https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-...C-Tape/4009603 just tape down the sides of the heat tape over the copper part and u should be able to push and pull your tubs in and out seamlessly.

Thank you. I didn’t realize how thin the heat tape was untill it arrived. You answered all my questions. Thanks again!


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