Cage is FINALLY ready!

stormyva · 05-19-03, 06:34 AM

Here is the cage that I have been working on for what seems like forever! Actually I started it in Feb. and have been taking my time on it, but here it is:
Front:

Side:

Inside: (Bulb is in for testing and to take the pictures, CHE will go in later)

Dimensions on the cage are 6x2x2. Sides and top are made out of 3/4 Sanded Pine Plywood, the floor and "surround" are 1/4 shower surround material. The floor is framed with 2x2's the covered with the surround material, the theory is that the thinner floor material will allow better transfer of heat from the heat pad that will be under the cage and the finish on the surround material should be very easy to clean. The finish on the cage is Polyshades. (I learned Polyshades (Stain and Poly in one step) would be great for a small piece but for something this big it was difficult to get consistent coverage. It took three coats and a lot of steel wooling in between to get it to look half way decent. It has been in the garage curing now for about a month so it should be good and ready for our female BCI, Victoria.

ThEmAdHaTtEr · 05-19-03, 07:52 AM

Woah..thats awesome! Great job. The BCI will love it I'm sure.

pandorasBox · 05-19-03, 08:05 AM

that is freakin beautiful, that is almost exactly what i was thinking for my enclosure with a few minor differances, i wanted to put the shower lining all the way around but now that i see yours i might not. if you wouldn't mind giving me directions on how to wire the lights like that with a dimmer switch and maybe some pointers on what you would do different. any help would be much appreciated! once again you have an amazing enclosure and i hope mind can looking half has nice. thanks

nuno · 05-19-03, 08:35 AM

What a showpiece... that's an amazing job. There's lots of room here for that enclosure...lol. Great job!!

pandorasBox · 05-19-03, 09:18 AM

i had to come back to take another look. amazed once again! however i ndidn't notice any vents if there is what did you use and where is a good place for them

stormyva · 05-19-03, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

pandora,
I went for shower surround half way to keep some of the excess moisture and snake mess off of the plywood back. It also shows off more plywood inside making it look a little nicer. The wiring was very simple.... more or less hook up the same color wires. Here's a link to a good "How To" on wiring a dimmer switch (rheostat): http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showt...threadid=15615
There is a vent in the right side of the cage, it's just a plastic 4"x10" floor register from Home Depot. I cut a rectangle in the side of the cage and dropped the register right in.

Tim_Cranwill · 05-19-03, 10:33 AM

Wow, that looks great! Very nice handy work there.

Are you going to cover that light bulb? I think it would be a good idea...

stormyva · 05-19-03, 10:42 AM

cran, I have a "cage" that I made out of hardware cloth (heavy screen with a 1/4" grid) that fits on the square base that the light fixture is mounted to. It's not in the picture because I have it sent out to be powder coated. (The powder coating protects the snake from getting scratched or cut and is heat resistant. )

Tim_Cranwill · 05-19-03, 10:45 AM

Cool.

I just wanted to make sure you hadn't overlooked it

Angain, beautiful workmanship!

SerpentLust · 05-19-03, 12:22 PM

That's amazing!

I've been thinking of building some too

Lisa · 05-20-03, 01:15 PM

Great looking cage. Looks like you put lots of work, time and love into it.

Linds · 06-12-03, 09:17 AM

Great looking cage!

crazyboy · 06-20-03, 06:46 PM

what is shower surround

where can i get it

how much is it

T.O-SK8TER · 06-20-03, 10:36 PM

Great job I like the way it looks like a piece of fine furniture. I wish I put nice molding around my cage. Can anyone tell me if it safe to put a heat mat under 3/4 inch plywood? Can it catch fire? Because I would like to use one under my cage.

Chris Steele · 06-20-03, 10:44 PM

good job, that does look like furnature. That will look beautiful in your house.