A New Sunday Pasttime: Rack Building (DUW)

[ladywhipple02]

So, I'm sitting here covered in sawdust and feeling sweaty and icky... but very accomplished! My father and I built a boa rack today! Here are a few pics:

This is the box frame: We made most of the rack from 3/4 inch oak veneer plywood (expensive stuff, $39.99 a sheet):


These are the aluminum shelving rails installed... these are so I can move the shelves. This means I can switch out tubs!



The backing goes on... 1/4 inch oak floor laminate (and my father lol):


Shelves in... with underbed adult boa tub. We had to clip out the wheels on the tub so the shelf would sit flush... but it ended up perfect!


Different size tubs... as I said, the shelves can move (the clips on the rails can be moved up or down 1/2 inch, meaning the shelves can be moved up or down in 1/2 inch increments):


The final product, shelves leaning against it:


All that's left to do is some sanding---I want to finish it---run some flexwatt, and viola!!! I think it turned out awesome! The veneer plywood was expensive. But it's very heave and, when finished, will last forever. I'm so excited to get the kids in it!

[Bright202]

AWESOME RACK!!!! I want it
Looks great Lynn!
Can't wait until our breeding projects start! The we can definitely fill some of those bad boy's up!


Mitch

[lord jackel]

Lynn...looks really nice and I like how the shelves are movable.


Question though how do you keep the shelves from being lifted up? Knowing how strong a Boa can be are you afraid they could lift the shelf above the tub up enough to get out?

[frankykeno]

You could always put some sort of metal stopper in the 1/2" slot higher so the boa would not only have to lift the shelf on top of the tank but also pop the stoppers out too. Nice work Lynn, it should do well for you plus make a very nice display piece as you've gone with that quality of wood product.

[Laooda]

GREAT! I love the adjustable idea!!!! Congrats on that.... now you gotta fill er' up!

[ladywhipple02]

The thought crossed my mind that the boas might be able to lift the shelves up. But, after lifting those shelves myself, I doubt it. They are VERY heavy, thus another reason for going with the quality of wood that I did. And Jo's right, too... you can lock the shelves in there by putting the shelving clips on both sides of the shelf itself. And, if all else fails, you can always move the shelves up a little and put the lids back on the tubs---not the solution I want, but at least it's a solution


Thanks for the compliments... I did want something that was going to look nice. Plus, this thing is going to LAST forever! And it's flexible... I was talking to my father about someday making the bottom portion of it into a nice display cage (much like I discussing with you, Jo) at some point. Or it can be converted into book shelves, a TV cabinet, whatever. The possibilities are endless. And that made it well worth the money.

The parents are wearing down bit by bit... and seeing my hobby as something not necessarily so crazy. Hopefully I can bring my campers home sooner than I had planned And, if not, they'll still have someplace nice to sleep when I get my apartment. Fingers crossed that it's soon!

[Krazy99CL]

Love the rack Lynn. Hey thats my name too...just spelled differently. lol.

What are the dimensions of it if you dont mind me asking...Thanks

[ladywhipple02]

Its stands six feet tall and two feet deep. Each shelf measures 46" across. (Each sheet of plywood was 8' by 4'... cut off two foot at the top, and split down the middle for the sides)


Lots of room to grow

[jkobylka]

sure is pretty! Great idea.

Justin

[Royalherper]

Thats awesome. I did something very much like that. I have one suggestion, many,many coats of varnish. Nothing compares to a real wood enclosure.