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Post by malteser60 on Nov 30, 2011 9:15:30 GMT
I'm very jealous about your cage! Love the forest bit.
I was wondering, what glue did you use to fix the glass runners down? Mine should be arriving any day so I'm keen to finish my cage build.
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Post by smithomatic on Nov 30, 2011 12:38:08 GMT
Hey Malteser !
1st of all I added runners to the sides of the cage, this is important becuase you will need something for the glass to slot into when its closed. I used screws to fasten these in place. You will need to COUNTER SINK them! very important! Drill your hole into the wood diagonally to stop it splitting, then using a bigger drill peice make a larger hole above where you just drilled now when you put your screw in the hole the screw head should be flush with the wood.
Next I glued the top and bottom runners in place with GripFill. Squeeze the Gripfill along the edge you wish to attach your runners to and press them down firmly. (If your runners are not as wide as the edge you are gluing them to, make sure they are flush on the inside of the cage or the degus will chew thier way out!). Then I use a variety of clamps I could get my hands on to hold everything in place. Finally I used terpentine to remove any excess glue that has dribbled over the edge.
You should leave them to dry for 24hours minimum, I left mine for 48hours. One other important thing to think about is how you are going to get your glass in, I had to remove the roof of my degu cage to slide them in. Do not glue anything togeter that you may need to take apart to fit the glass in, or you WILL need a new wood panel. The glue is extremely strong and sets like concrete.
Check my blog, I have done an update for you malt with pictures of what my finish product looks like.
Click the link in my sig
Many thanks,
Smithomatic
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 30, 2011 13:20:26 GMT
Thanks for the info. Must admit I didn't think about runners along the side. The glass slides up against the wood and at one point I was thinking of how to groove the wood, but then completely forgot about it!!
For the countersink, no problem as have a countersink drill bit - used it for attaching the screws to the wood.
As for inserting the glass I have deliberatly not put the roof mesh on or the wood panel across the top that holds the top glass runners. That way I'll be able to put the glass in first then secure everything on after.
Will see your blog when I get home now (work firewall blocks things like blogs).
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Post by smithomatic on Dec 3, 2011 13:33:39 GMT
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 15, 2011 6:13:34 GMT
Hello Joshua ! Hope you are well
I have been keeping an eye on your website and I must say, I very much like what I am seeing. Your way of presenting the blog is well thought out. By presenting your website as a journal of your personal experiences, readers that are not used to the idea of DIY housing do not feel as though they are being told what to do. Leading by example and mild prodding is the best way to promote change. And I think you are doing this very well by blogging your progress.
Your blog is growing nicely and gaining new and helpful sections. I am especially enjoying the one about how to install/fix the glass door slider. This is a question that I often get e-mailed about, and can prove difficult to explain without proper photos to illustrate. I am also liking your post about cleaning the wooden logs and am glad to see the cage setup you are promoting by adding photos of your own cage, with the "forest environment" on the base level.
I feel very comfortable promoting your work and experiences. If you agree to this, I would like to link your blog to the cage building article on the Octodondegus' website. I would very much like to place your site as a supporting blogger/degu owner. I think this would also help your blog get more incoming traffic. What do you think ?
How would you feel about me using some of your photos to illustrate the cage building guide ? Of course the photos would also be linked back to your blog, with a credit your name or username.
Please let me know how you feel about these requests.
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Post by smithomatic on Dec 15, 2011 17:52:41 GMT
Hi Jordan,
Thanks for your post! Its both motivating and satisfying to know that people are still checking my blog!
I would love to help the degu community in any way I can, if you think it would be useful to link to my blog then I would be more than happy to do so. My only concern is that my blog is, very literally, a record of my experiences. I am by no means an expert on degus. I would not like to sully your website in anyway if people find any of my posts to be counter productive to degu care.
For example, I have previously posted some (unfinished) information on my degus diet, this is not a feed that I would recommend to any other degu owner as I simply do not know enough on the subject but it is a mix that has worked for me. I would not want people to read my blog and take it as gospel becuase it has been linked to by a well researched and more professional site as yours. I will continue however to make clear on my own blog that these are MY own experiences.
Please do let me know what you think!
I must also apologize for the very slow updates on the blog. Unfortunately, my job requires me to work very long and tiring shifts. When I get home I like to spend the brief time I have with my precious goos rarther than be writing about them online. I will endeavour to update the blog when I have opportunities, I have many pictures and videos backing up on my camera and PC which I am excited to release!
Also, do you have any advice on any blogging software or online web-software that I can use? blogspot is not very userfriendly.. If I am able to find new software I will ofcourse backdate it to incude all my previous posts!
Again, many thanks Jordan! its such a warm feeling to know that someone / anyone cares about what you have to say! You have highlighted my day after a tough week!
Kind regards,
Smithomatic
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 16, 2011 7:14:22 GMT
Hi Jordan, Thanks for your post! Its both motivating and satisfying to know that people are still checking my blog! I would love to help the degu community in any way I can, if you think it would be useful to link to my blog then I would be more than happy to do so. My only concern is that my blog is, very literally, a record of my experiences. I am by no means an expert on degus. I would not like to sully your website in anyway if people find any of my posts to be counter productive to degu care. For example, I have previously posted some (unfinished) information on my degus diet, this is not a feed that I would recommend to any other degu owner as I simply do not know enough on the subject but it is a mix that has worked for me. I would not want people to read my blog and take it as gospel becuase it has been linked to by a well researched and more professional site as yours. I will continue however to make clear on my own blog that these are MY own experiences. Please do let me know what you think! I must also apologize for the very slow updates on the blog. Unfortunately, my job requires me to work very long and tiring shifts. When I get home I like to spend the brief time I have with my precious goos rarther than be writing about them online. I will endeavour to update the blog when I have opportunities, I have many pictures and videos backing up on my camera and PC which I am excited to release! Also, do you have any advice on any blogging software or online web-software that I can use? blogspot is not very userfriendly.. If I am able to find new software I will ofcourse backdate it to incude all my previous posts! Again, many thanks Jordan! its such a warm feeling to know that someone / anyone cares about what you have to say! You have highlighted my day after a tough week! Kind regards, Smithomatic Hello Joshua Hope you and the degu boys are well I am sorry to hear about the long working hours...I can sympathise with you, often working over 10 hours a day due to supplementary hours myself. It can become mentally and physically draining after a while. There is no need to apologize about the blog. You update when you have the time. Blogging is supposed to be a recreation, not a chore and you should never feel as though it is an obligation. About the blogging software, I have limited experience with webiste/blog creation, but I can defenitely recommend Weebly if you are not liking Blogspot. Weebly is very easy to use and very user friendly. You can create a blog or website layout from scratch or you could choose from a very large selection of designs. There are layouts designed especially for blogs and websites like your own. It is very fun and easy to use...even for those with little web experience. To answer your questions about the blog content, I would not suggest linking our sites together if I was not comfortable with what you are posting...diet or caging wise. You do not need to be an expert on degus to help. I am in no way an expert...like you and the vast majority here, I keep on learning new things. I feel your blogging could have a good impact on the cage building mouvement. It is encouraging for readers to see others writing and blogging about this housing method. What I find very special about your blog, is how it not only shows a finished/end result...but gives much insight into how to get things done (ex: your post on how to install the glass sliders). If you do not object, I will be working on this over the weekend, linking your blog to the cage building guide and adding you to the credits. Will pm you later on about the details. Talk soon
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Post by smithomatic on Dec 16, 2011 14:00:44 GMT
Hey Jordan, Thanks for all the kind words, if you are happy, then I am happy! I have no problems with you linking my blog. I will check out weebly also Kind regards, Josh
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Tiiyn
Foraging Degu
Posts: 103
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Post by Tiiyn on Dec 16, 2011 14:17:47 GMT
I'd just like to add that I too really enjoy reading your blog, although, I agree with Jordan -- much as we love reading it, it should be something you do cause you want to =)
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 16, 2011 16:30:30 GMT
DITTO!! (To all that Jordan and Tiiyn said ;D )
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 17, 2011 8:50:51 GMT
@joshua Links to your blog have been added to the cage building guide and will be added to the ressource page shortly. A description of your blog under the sub-heading ''Wooden degu cages, growing in popularity'' (approx. half way into the guide) has been published. Links to both your main blog and the post on installing glass runners have been added.
Your username has also been added to the credits near the end of the article.
More to follow soon.
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Post by jayner27 on Dec 17, 2011 9:49:12 GMT
This is the first time i have seen your blog .. i really enjoyed that .. i just love the forest section of your cage ...before seeing this i have tried to make something similar.. when i had my first two degus almost a year ago i was not aware that one was male and one female .. the pet shop said they were both girls.. .. now after three litters and adoptions by a lovely lady on here i have seven.. my cage was a massive metal one and have adapted it along with the other original cage to make a home for them all so anyway (going on a bit there lol).. what have you used on the bottom of your forest part? i can see the branches leaves etc.. have you used sand as well?.. it kinda puts my section of a forest to shame lol...i used fina card and huge amounts of hay..to say i think your cage is amazing by the way and i will follow your blog when you have time to post very closely with lots of interest..i do like the feeding part i am trying to change their diet from the pets at home nuggets so this has been really helpful.. take care jayne xx
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Post by smithomatic on Dec 17, 2011 17:58:24 GMT
thanks for all the kind words everyone! I wanted to do another update today but have had to cover sick leave (16hour day!) @ Jayner27 Thank you for the kind words! The bottom floor of my degu cage is wood shavings from pets at home, there are clay roof tiles for tunnels underneath this. Then I use birch and oak tree twigs and branches (with leaves on), it is good to get long branches and cut them to size. I usually keep mine just ever so slightly too big, this way I can firmly wedge them in between the floor and roof so those crazy goos dont pull them over - this way they will enjoy trying to climb and reach and stretch to pull the leaves off. They always look so satisfied with themselves when they get a really high up leaf lol. Another point - do not throw away the off cuts of the twigs, just litter them on the floor, nothing needs be wasted! apart from this I also use a few piles of Hay. I also note that you live in bristol, not too far from me. I live in chippenham, 30min car drive. If you are ever in the area and would like to come by and see I would be more than happy to arrange this - just PM me. Best come in the summer though, the forest is bald during the winter
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Post by jayner27 on Dec 17, 2011 20:06:16 GMT
thanks smithomatic... i will pm you now... i would love a visit to yours.. thank you ...i dont have anyone else i know that own degus and its lovely to meet other people that do so its a date ! xxx.. thanks for the info re the forest.. i shall try and make mine look as good as yours now! lol xx
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Post by smithomatic on Jan 4, 2012 12:37:07 GMT
Hey everyone, long time no see. I have been working to rewrite my blog in a clearer way with a nicer layout using weebly (thanks NWR for pointing out this excellent software!). I did manage to rewrite the entire blog but unfortuantely it was accidently deleted and weebly were unable to recover it.. so i have had to start again lol.. I figured that becuase it has been so long since I last posted that I would share a link with my progress so far. deguchronicles.weebly.com/Currently I am about 3/4 of the way through re-writing my 1st ever blog post and hope to rewrite them all in this new layout. I have also changed some of the wording to hopefully make it clearer. Please guys - point out my spelling errors or ways to improve it, anything you dont understand etc. I want it to look professional so any feed back would be great! If you are reading this for the 1st time and want to see my old blog click here smithomatic-degu.blogspot.com/Many thanks everyone Josh
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Post by smithomatic on Jan 6, 2012 17:46:57 GMT
Hi all, Quick update: my 1st ever post has been re-written in a clearer layout (in better english lol) - you can check it out here deguchronicles.weebly.com/1/post/2011/12/first-post.htmlyou will need to click the read more break to... well .. read more of the post (its the little blue hyperlink on the bottom right of the post that says "read more") lemme know what you think
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jan 17, 2012 5:30:48 GMT
This is looking great Joshua ! Well done and glad to hear you are liking weebly !
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Post by smithomatic on Jan 24, 2012 1:56:38 GMT
@jordan - thanks jordan, weebly is prooving very useful and much easier to use. I will PM you when the new site is finished so you can change the link you are using on your site from my blogspot blog to the weebly one. @everonye - I have updated the new weebly blog with some old posts from my blogspot, I have also added a new post which does not appear on my blogspot which deals with bowing levels. I hope this helps people Im excited for when the weebly blog contains all the old info so I can begin adding more, my pictures are really starting to build up haha.. deguchronicles.weebly.com/smithomatic-degu.blogspot.com/Thanks for your time guys appreciated Josh
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Post by smithomatic on Jan 28, 2012 2:53:04 GMT
Hey all, another old post has been re-written on my new site deguchronicles.weebly.com/index.html It has been much easier to make the posts look and feel more concise on weebly, check it out Thanks everyone who is reading Im trying to mix in new content with the stuff thats being re-written to keep it fresh for you. Check out my new post on bowing levels that was not posted on my blogspot
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Post by smithomatic on Feb 2, 2012 21:26:48 GMT
Hey everyone! Another update for the new weebly site! Originally I was just going to post a little something here about my trip to pets at home, but then after I began writing I figured out how I could turn my little paragraph and pictures from some musings into something that might actually be useful! I hope you guys like it! Check it out and let me know what you think! - deguchronicles.weebly.com/index.html
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