Crimson.Dawn
Draconis Occidentalis
- Messages
- 35
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Ok so I saw a ledge feeder online something like this.
http://www.geckosupplies.com/gecko-feeding-ledge.html
And thought to myself, I know I have the stuff laying around here to make something like that for my Crested geckos.
And I did. So out of a foam block, some sealer, some paint and some time. I made one. Oh and some strong magnets that I had laying around helped too
So here goes
Step One: Design
Drawing out a design is often helpful with any project, since I knew I wanted to use a foam block I already had, i drew on it. For anyone who is looking for cheap supplies, you can easily use the solid foam bars that are often packed with things like computers, TV's and other fragile items that you buy around the house. When u come across them. Keep them. If you have the access though you can buy a block like this one at Micheal's, hobby lobby, or a Foam Sheet at Lowe's or Home Depot.
I changed my idea a few times in the middle. I decided to go with two different sized condiment cups instead of the two large ones. I wound up going with one 2oz. short, and one 3/4oz cup.
Step Two - Cutting
You can use a number of things to pull out the shapes you desire from the foam. Anything from a heated knife, to a razor blade or Xacto blade, Even a regular old kitchen serrated knife will do to hack off a blocked out portion of the area you would like to start with.
They even make cutters that are like a long needle that heats up for slicing effortlessly though many kinds of foam. I dont use them. I like my Utility knife.
Now my finished design called for a magnet or rather two, to be used as a fastener so that my ledge could hang on both glass and mesh. These large magnates can be found at lowe's, and a pair will run you about 3$ (thats what the small rectangle in the side is for.)
I could not find the ones i bought online to show you, but here are some other options to show you.
Here and Here
I also needed another small chunk of the foam to use as a handle on the outside of the cage to hold the other magnet. I roughed that one out after the first.
Step Three: The fun part!
Slowly use the blade to hollow out spots for the water and food bowls, and for the magnet, If they are a little big thats ok. We will be using hot glue later to fill the gaps. after that go to town, make it look how ever you like. I stuck with a kinda rock-ish look, but you can be as simple or ornate as u like. Just remember if u carve off to much you can always glue bigger chunks back on with some hot-glue and start again. (a few times at least)
Step Four: Dry Fitting
After I got everything how I wanted it, I painted the outside of the little clear 3/4oz cup black, to match, and then made sure it all fit.
Here's that little back piece I was talking about. The part that goes on the outside of the cage.
Step Five: Sealing and Paint
Theres alot of options here, If you have groat or cement laying about the place, use it and add a small layer, I happened to have the crafting compound for sealing foam laying around. Because I've done alot of fauz-faom stuff. If you want to get that stuff at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's Heres what it looks like.
Just add about 4 or 5 layers of the stuff (it takes a while to dry inbetween) over the whole thing. Front and back. Try to stick to only one layer inside the cutouts you made for the cups and magnates.
On the last layer, drip a frew drops of black paint into you cup of the white compound Dont Mix It though! Just dip your brush in and it will make a marbled black grey and white streaked look on your faux rocks. like this.
Step Six: Final Assembly
Once you've got it looking how you want use a hot glue gun and put a huge gob of glue inside the outcoves for you cups. If there is space on the sides between the cup and foam, Gently wedge the glue guns tip into the space and fill it. Same with the magnet. Once it cools, Test it! Make sure you can pry the magnets apart without the glue giving out and your all done. Attach it to your cage.
Oh and instead of filling the cups I glued in, I stack cups of the same size inside. that way I can just throw away whatever they dont eat!
http://www.geckosupplies.com/gecko-feeding-ledge.html
And thought to myself, I know I have the stuff laying around here to make something like that for my Crested geckos.
And I did. So out of a foam block, some sealer, some paint and some time. I made one. Oh and some strong magnets that I had laying around helped too
So here goes
Step One: Design
Drawing out a design is often helpful with any project, since I knew I wanted to use a foam block I already had, i drew on it. For anyone who is looking for cheap supplies, you can easily use the solid foam bars that are often packed with things like computers, TV's and other fragile items that you buy around the house. When u come across them. Keep them. If you have the access though you can buy a block like this one at Micheal's, hobby lobby, or a Foam Sheet at Lowe's or Home Depot.
I changed my idea a few times in the middle. I decided to go with two different sized condiment cups instead of the two large ones. I wound up going with one 2oz. short, and one 3/4oz cup.
Step Two - Cutting
You can use a number of things to pull out the shapes you desire from the foam. Anything from a heated knife, to a razor blade or Xacto blade, Even a regular old kitchen serrated knife will do to hack off a blocked out portion of the area you would like to start with.
They even make cutters that are like a long needle that heats up for slicing effortlessly though many kinds of foam. I dont use them. I like my Utility knife.
Now my finished design called for a magnet or rather two, to be used as a fastener so that my ledge could hang on both glass and mesh. These large magnates can be found at lowe's, and a pair will run you about 3$ (thats what the small rectangle in the side is for.)
I could not find the ones i bought online to show you, but here are some other options to show you.
Here and Here
I also needed another small chunk of the foam to use as a handle on the outside of the cage to hold the other magnet. I roughed that one out after the first.
Step Three: The fun part!
Slowly use the blade to hollow out spots for the water and food bowls, and for the magnet, If they are a little big thats ok. We will be using hot glue later to fill the gaps. after that go to town, make it look how ever you like. I stuck with a kinda rock-ish look, but you can be as simple or ornate as u like. Just remember if u carve off to much you can always glue bigger chunks back on with some hot-glue and start again. (a few times at least)
Step Four: Dry Fitting
After I got everything how I wanted it, I painted the outside of the little clear 3/4oz cup black, to match, and then made sure it all fit.
Here's that little back piece I was talking about. The part that goes on the outside of the cage.
Step Five: Sealing and Paint
Theres alot of options here, If you have groat or cement laying about the place, use it and add a small layer, I happened to have the crafting compound for sealing foam laying around. Because I've done alot of fauz-faom stuff. If you want to get that stuff at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's Heres what it looks like.
Just add about 4 or 5 layers of the stuff (it takes a while to dry inbetween) over the whole thing. Front and back. Try to stick to only one layer inside the cutouts you made for the cups and magnates.
On the last layer, drip a frew drops of black paint into you cup of the white compound Dont Mix It though! Just dip your brush in and it will make a marbled black grey and white streaked look on your faux rocks. like this.
Step Six: Final Assembly
Once you've got it looking how you want use a hot glue gun and put a huge gob of glue inside the outcoves for you cups. If there is space on the sides between the cup and foam, Gently wedge the glue guns tip into the space and fill it. Same with the magnet. Once it cools, Test it! Make sure you can pry the magnets apart without the glue giving out and your all done. Attach it to your cage.
Oh and instead of filling the cups I glued in, I stack cups of the same size inside. that way I can just throw away whatever they dont eat!
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