Tegu cage building thread

[Toby_H]

My enclosure is 8' long and 3.5' tall... there are two holes cut in the front for doors, each measuring 42" x 23"...

I found 2' x 4' 1/4" Plexi at Home Depot/Lowe's for $45... I was able to find the same glass for half the price... Although I've decided to go with 1/4" cut to fit (19.75" x 39.75") tempered glass which was $50 per sheet. I ordered the glass yesterday...

My door will be a four sided frame made of Maple (hard wood) 1x3's. The 1x3s are cut at 45* angles on the ends for a cleaner appearance... The inside perimeter of the frame has a 1/4" wide, 3/8" deep groove cut in it which will seat the glass... Each door is held on with 3x 'European Style' cabinet hinges...

Both doors will have locking mechanisms, as my Tegu has proved much stronger than I suspected and can escape it's current enclosure. '


The interrior of the cage is sealed/painted with Drylock. The back & side walls are dark green... the shelf, some uprights and other accents are dark brown...

The exterrior will be stained & polyurathained to match other furniture...

 

[rrcoolj]

Thanks Nc_nutcase. I think I will do that. How did you cut the groves into the wood? Do I need a special tool.

 

[Toby_H]

Table saw...

 

[rrcoolj]

Would I need 3in thick wood for the glass or can I use the 1/2" wood?

 

[A. gigas]

pics of the tegu?

 

[rrcoolj]

He is in my album but I suppose I could snap some recent pics later. Today will be a bit busy lol.

 

[Toby_H]

Would I need 3in thick wood for the glass or can I use the 1/2" wood?

For building the frame I described above...

I am using Maple (hardwood) 1x3s, which are actually .75" x 2.5"...

But I am putting them on a planer (to ensure they are flat) which will reduce them to .5"~.675"...

I would not recommend doing this with typical pine (softwood). As the wood on either side of the groove will too easily break off...

 

[rrcoolj]

Thanks Nc_nutcase for the advice. I think I am going to wait on the door and install that last. I have to solidfy the plans first.

Today I cut my 4' 2x4's into 3'. The pieces are very slightly uneven but It will flush. Because of the way I built the cage there is the floor and then 2x4's on the outside pretty much. I have descided to have my 2x4's on the outside of the enclosure while the actual plywood will be on the inside(see pic 7). I have to cut the side pieces still and install the substrate lip for the door. That will come later today but I finished the back part and the bottom and top parts. Those three piece now have one layer of killz on them. I am going to use 2layers instead of 3 and I need to buy more Killz.

Tips for today... so far...

1) When cutting with a jigsaw be careful and make sure the cuts are straight.

2) Have major cuts done at a hardware store if you don't have the tools to do so(have to go back there to get the side pieces cut).

3) I officially HATE nats. THE MOST ANNOYING INSECT ON THE FREAKIN PLANET!!!

pS:descided to discard the number system...

pics of constructon and riley...

 

[Toby_H]

I'm glad you gaved up on the numbering system... it makes it a lot easier on us...

Keep in mind Kilz is a suitable mold/mildew sealer, but it is not a moisture barrier. In a very humid environment moisture will still be able to penetrate the kilz and deteriorate the wood...

I've used Drylock on several projects including my Tegus first home (4' x 2' x 2'). That cage is 100% water tight, meaning I can fill it up with water until water flows out the door and it will not leak at all. I am building a water dish for my current Tegu enclosure out of plywood and sealing it with Drylock.

 

[rrcoolj]

If I can I will get for the 2nd coat drylock and leave the killz for the outside.