what type of plywood?

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Posted by chris_harper2 on April 28, 2003 at 15:34:16:

In Reply to: cage building ?s posted by Krystal19_85 on April 28, 2003 at 12:37:20:

First, I agree with MarkG about the use of water-based gloss for the interior of the cage - especially for something like a Ball Python. I've had ball pythons that would crawl through there water bowl a lot but other than that their cages tend to stay pretty dry. Regardless, if they do spill their water you'd need to get things cleaned up before the paint started to break down anyways.

But any plywood that will have two nice surfaces probably will have grain worth showing off so I'd consider going with stain and a clear coat of some kind. For a ball python I'd either use an oil-based polyurethane or a clear epoxy.

I'm not familar with the product you mentioned for the interior.

Otherwise:

:>3.5'x1.5'x1.5'

I think I mentioned this before, but 4' cages will typically be the same price as 3.5' cages. So maybe shoot for 4' unless you need the cage to be 3.5' for space reasons.

:>Inside will be sealed with Behr Build 50 Comision.

My primary concern with this would be if the solids are designed with a high degree of flexibility. I've heard that some of these offgas for months.

:>3/4" plywood for sides, back, and bottom.

What type of plywood?

:>Top will br 3/4" plywood with a 9"x2.5' section of heavy wire mesh. (ventalation and for heat lamp).

Personally, I don't like the look of cages with a heat lamp sitting on top. I'd go with a radiant heat panel on the interior ceiling of the cage.

:>Substrate guard on front bottom (3" lip)

Sounds good.

:>stick down vinyl flooring on bottom inside for easy clean up.

Great idea. Silicone the edges to your cage walls after you've finished the interior.

:>Plexiglass framed with wood trim flip down hinged door in front, with locks of course.

Frame probably not necessary. I built some cages with acrylic fronts that fit between two strips of 1/4" oak. Very clean looking door and easy to build.

But for a Ball Python I'd still prefer a double sliding door. That's going to be a pretty big door you'll be flipping down so I'd consider a sliding door system.

:> outside will be primed and painted with gloss paint.

Same concern I mentioned earlier. Any plywood with two good sides is probably worth staining and sealing to show off the grain.

Good luck.

Follow Ups:

what type of plywood? Krystal19_85 04/28/03 (3)
- what type of plywood? chris_harper2 04/28/03 (2)
  - How to make a frameless door? Otter 05/01/03 (0)
  - what type of plywood? Krystal19_85 04/28/03 (0)