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**sclark** · 08-18-2003, 02:14 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Hello Jeremy,

Glad you and your dad are gonna make a cage for your boa.. If you and your dad take a few mins to look this link over..

http://forum.redtailboas.com/index.php?board=9;action=display;threadid=2307;start=0

It will answer most of your questions from wood, to sealing to what I finished the cage off with, to the front door, etc.. So instead of listing everything, just read the whole thread. It had pics from beginning to end. I was also asked a several questions about the cage and tried to answer it in detail..

Hope this helps..
Good luck and be sure to share some pics of the finished cage..

Steve

**___LEE___** · 08-18-2003, 02:22 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

STEVE IS THE MAN!!!!!!!! lol

LEE

**BMoore** · 08-18-2003, 02:55 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Yep, Steve put up the best link.
Go for it! Good luck!

**Beth**

**epimeno** · 08-20-2003, 01:23 AM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Steve,

I'm sorry it took me so long to reply to your post, but I really appreciate you giving me that link. I need a couple questions answered, b/c I am not very smart when it comes to building and things. I'm guessing that the acrylic sealant used is does not give off harmful when exposed to constant temperatures of 80-90 degrees. Also, you used birch I see. Is this the best wood in your opinion to build with, and what about melamine, should it even be considered an option? Also, could you possibly let me know any of the things you learned that you were gonna modify your next cages with? I really appreciate your help, Steve! Sorry if I'm asking questions you feel you've already answered. I just wanna make sure I do this right.

Your Fellow Herper,

Jeremy

**sclark** · 08-20-2003, 05:57 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Hi epimeno,

NP.. Just trying to help..

With the sealant, just have to allow enough time to cure. Once its cured heat, moisture, cold will not give fumes off.. So your safe there..

I like ***** or Oak, but any type of smooth plywood can be used safe. Just make sure to seal it right..

As for Melimine board. I know alot who have used that and have had good ru****s. I don't care for it because the edges are always unfinished, it chipps like nuts if you try to cut it, and if the pressed edges get wet, that stuff swells like nuts. But the nice thing is if you do prtect the edges, it wipes claen very easy.. Now I can clean my way with no problems.. So its a personal choice..

Hope that helped..

Steve

**XzyluM** · 08-20-2003, 11:56 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

There is a few types of wood to build with. Melamine, although it is cheap, can be extremely heavy. Pine is pretty cheap and works great. Oak is probably one of the best around. Although it is pretty expensive, it is by far one of the best types of wood to build with. I prefer oak myself. You can stain the cage if you prefer or not, but you need to apply at least four coats of polycrylic or polyurethane to seal the wood. You will need to seal all of the inside corners with silicone; you can use the shower type but make sure you let in air out for around two weeks before housing any reptiles in the cage(s). For the front of the cage, you can either have a framed door with glass or acrylic or sliding glass doors. The choice is yours although sliding glass doors will definately run you more than having a framed door. Hope that helps. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

**epimeno** · 08-21-2003, 01:47 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Hey,

XzyluM, I appreciate your help and input. I'm probably gonna go ahead and use oak. Steve, I didn't get a chance to ask you, but I was wondering about ventilation. I'm guessing all cages need some ventilation, but I didn't catch how you did this by reading your progressive posts. I was wondering how I might go about this, and I don't know if this will affect it or not, but I will not be stacking anything on top of the cage or anything.

Your Fellow Herper,

Jeremy

**___LEE___** · 08-21-2003, 02:21 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

well epimen you could always do what i did which works well is that u go to you local hardware store and buy a register vent cover and then cut the hole the size of the vent that u had bought in the back wall of the cage and put screen infront of it incase the snake is small enough to get through the holes there. that way u can make the lid or what ever seal and still have plenty of ventilation.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

LEE

**XzyluM** · 08-21-2003, 02:23 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Well, you can always get a holesaw or a jigsaw and cut either round or rectangle ventilation holes. I have the round in mine, two on each side. There is some nice round vents I found in the local hardware store in place. You can also use hardware cloth with frames to hold it in place. There is many means of ventilation. And you will need some sort of ventilation.

**epimeno** · 08-21-2003, 02:49 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Hey,

Thanks a bunch guys for your suggestions about the ventilation stuff. That was just what I needed to know. I really appreciate all the input I'm getting. If I have any other questions, which I'm sure I will, I'll let you guys know. It's gonna be a while before I have the cage built, about a month or so, but when I do, I'll make sure to post pics for you guys.

Your Fellow Herper,

Jeremy

**BMoore** · 08-21-2003, 02:55 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Glad to hear you will be building one, good luck! Keep us posted.

**Beth**

**sclark** · 08-21-2003, 03:28 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Hey epimeno,

Glad your gonna make one.. Good luck.. Just take your time and do the best you can.. I look forward to seeing the images..

Steve

**___LEE___** · 08-21-2003, 07:46 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

YEA STEP BY STEP PICS WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

LEE

**BadBoyJay** · 08-21-2003, 09:33 PM

Re:might attempt building (definitely need help)

Well, they answered your question really well epimeno. Like xzylium said, you could use melamine but man is it heavy. You can also use pine but thats a softwood, not a hardwood and it's a little cheaper so you'll have to make sure you seal it good. I just started on my enclosure as a matter of fact. I chose oak, although it's sorta expensive, (about $40 for a 8' x 4' x 3/4" sheet), it's well worth the money, it's the best, and if you seal it right and build it right it will last longer than the cages you see on some of these websites. I just started the staining and I'll post pics in the next post of the basics of what you'll need. Some of the stuff isn't really necessary like the wood filler but I am a perfectionist so it has to be perfect. LOL. In the first pic I'm missing a few things but the rest of it you will need. The thing's i'm missing are the hindges, locks, and the plexiglass for the front two doors. I'll post pics of that when I get em. I will also start a new post of my build and post progressive pics of how I put the enclosure together for you and all those with questions on how to build but there are also good posts of other peoples builds not to take anything away from them. Steve has on of his up. Anyother questions just let us know. Good luck bro. ;D 8)

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