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Post by Bexi87 on Jun 23, 2015 12:31:40 GMT
Hi everyone,
I'm starting my DIY cage project this weekend but need some advice.
The cage is going to be 113cm long, 110cm tall and 40cm wide with 2 full size levels. It's going to be made from 18mm MDF but I don't know if I should use screws or nails to hold it together? What has everyone here used?
I can't remember what I used on my previous cage builds - but my second attempt wasn't as strong as my first!
Anyway - I'm so excited to get started - my family think I am mental wanting degus again but what is the point in paying a mortgage if I can't fill it with gorgeous little furballs?!
I'll try and get some photos on when I get home tonight!
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Post by deguconvert on Jun 23, 2015 16:02:03 GMT
Screws, definitely screws. They won't wiggle loose like nails can. Also, a small amount of wood glue helps tremendously with strength of joins.
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 23, 2015 17:04:02 GMT
Yes, screws, you should get a decent connection on 18mm thick board.
3 layers of 113x 40cm works out at 13500 sqcm so is only good for two goos though, could you make it a bit deeper?
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Post by Bexi87 on Jun 23, 2015 21:03:57 GMT
Okay - I have a new design  Here is the rough outline. I'll be adding air vents for each level and gaps in the shelves.  It is 180 x 113 x 40 cm with 5 levels which I think is big enough for 3 goos, 4 at a stretch? I just need to decide if I have glass sliding doors for each level, or if I double up levels to have 3 sets of doors. Decisions Decisions!  |
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 24, 2015 12:17:13 GMT
That works out around 22,000sqcm which is good for 4, looks pretty good to me Have you thought about putting a mesh door in on one level so you can interact without opening a door and to improve ventilation? It might not look as good though  It would allow you to have two double glass doors that looked the same though. Have you thought about varying the shelf heights a bit so you have plenty of room for wheels on a couple of levels? This is my favourite wheel design so far deguworld.proboards.com/thread/18484/molettes-35cm-home-metal-wheel |
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 1, 2015 20:57:46 GMT
So things are looking up for my little project. I've received a quote today for the glass for the doors that is more than half the price of the other quotes I've had which means it's not going to be months and months of saving This is my design which I have finally stopped adapting!  I've chosen to add air vents to the sides of the cage, two per level to help ventilation and I'm going to try and get some off cuts of Lino flooring that I can stick to the shelves. Out of interest what thickness do people tend to use for shelves? I caved and bought a wheel earlier in the week. It was an absolute bargain. £15 for this beauty!  My next step is to figure out how much I need to save and then I can get an idea of my timescales. |
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Post by deguconvert on Jul 1, 2015 22:18:53 GMT
WOW!! Great wheel!!! Good buy! Your cage design is looking great, too!
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Post by krazypara3165 on Jul 2, 2015 6:27:54 GMT
Im in the process of planning my new cage too, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread!
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Post by Maravilla on Jul 2, 2015 9:26:41 GMT
Are you still going with the 40 cm or have you planned to make it deeper? The sketch doesn't give length and width. As moletteuk already said, 40 cm are very small, I would say too small (no matter how long it is) as it can be very difficult to put bigger things in it. An example: I have a flying saucer, diameter 45 cm, which fits well in 70 cm but looks a little bit cramped in 60 cm. Same with other things.
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Post by moletteuk on Jul 2, 2015 10:54:01 GMT
Did you mean thickness of the shelf or the lino? Shelf thickness depends how well supported it is and what the material is, you should be OK with 12mm mdf if it's supported sides and back with battens, if it's just on metal brackets you might need a big london bracket at mid span. I wouldn't go less than 12mm for mdf as it tends to bend a bit and look scruffy. If you use lino I think it needs to be a perfectly smooth one with no spring in it.
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 2, 2015 12:18:59 GMT
Unfortunately I am limited to 40cm depth due the size of the space that I can fit a cage in - overhang isn't an option either otherwise a doorway will be blocked  I meant thickness of the shelves - if I can't find lino I'll get some self-adhesive tiles and use those instead. I did this last time and it worked well. |
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 3, 2015 13:18:45 GMT
Okay - I need ideas. I want some metal edging to put against the plastic runners so they can't be chewed but I'm finding it really hard to find anything suitable! I've found this but I'm not sure about the holes. My other idea is to use thick bits of kiln-dried stripwood that I can pull off and replace as and when needed - at the moment this is my preferred option just because finding anything metal is proving such hard work |
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Post by deguconvert on Jul 3, 2015 18:20:53 GMT
Plastic runners?
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 3, 2015 18:23:37 GMT
Sorry - not very clear. The runners for the glass doors are plastic so I need to protect the inside edge otherwise they will be destroyed by little teeth
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Post by deguconvert on Jul 3, 2015 18:27:32 GMT
I thought there were metal u troughs that were also available. But, don't go on what I say. I know a hardware store about as well as I know how grow a beard!
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 3, 2015 18:35:10 GMT
I've had a real look online and everything I can find are PVC. I know the last ones I had were PVC and I just covered them with wood - might ask my Dad next week when he is over helping me put the frame together.
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Post by moletteuk on Jul 3, 2015 19:21:12 GMT
Did you see my edging ideas in the other thread? These are the steel flats I meant www.toolstation.com/search?searchstr=flat+strap You can also buy unequal angle, probably mainly in aluminium of a suitable size. The other way you could do it is to effectively make your own runners out of an alumium angle and 'U' side by side. |
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Post by krazypara3165 on Jul 3, 2015 19:58:53 GMT
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 3, 2015 20:17:43 GMT
I'm just worried about the holes. I've found some carpet liners for £2 so I might use those |
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Post by Bexi87 on Jul 12, 2015 13:52:33 GMT
So I finally have everything I need to build the cage  My poor Dad has been talked into helping me on Tuesday night - I'm going to use screws and dowels so we need to drill pilot holes, cut out the vent holes and actually put it together! I found some amazing vinyl on eBay which I'm going to use to line the shelves - 5m for £10 - and it's an amazing green. Here is a picture of the main frame stood in the alcove where it will live - can't wait to get it up  |
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It would allow you to have two double glass doors that looked the same though.
