New racks...

[ssscales]

We finally decided to switch from heavy Melamine racks to a lighter rack system. Here are some pics as we go through the process. Sorry for the poor pics, flash wasn't working for some reason.

In the next 8-10 weeks I'll be transitioning out of the Melamine. I've got a few more racks assembled and unassembled to replace.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Very nice , come build me one lol

 

[ssscales]

Thanks, it's still not done, I still need to finish the top shelf, add the flexwatt, add the back and clean up the joints with some black silicone/caulk.

It's coming out pretty nice considering this is my first time working with this material. I've already noted some steps to save time, add strength, and already a bit more confident that my next one will be easier and better.

I'll be making 4 more like this one, except with 1/2" material or I may just keep using the 1/4", not sure yet. For my larger CB70 and CB110 tubs I will absolutely use 1/2" material.

 

[Haroldo]

Nice to see someone else working with this material. Looking good so far...

I see you are using the 6mm for these racks, how did you go about joining pieces? thermowelding? chemical welding? adhesive? mechanical fasteners? Just to warn you, the 12mm is nearly as heavy as most plywoods and particle boards (melamine for example) in the same thickness.

 

[ssscales]

Nice to see someone else working with this material. Looking good so far...

I see you are using the 6mm for these racks, how did you go about joining pieces? thermowelding? chemical welding? adhesive? mechanical fasteners? Just to warn you, the 12mm is nearly as heavy as most plywoods and particle boards (melamine for example) in the same thickness.

Thanks, I completed that one and am moving on to my 2nd just like it, but with a kick plate for that one to stack on. I'll be aligning/stacking them with 1/8 X 1/2 pins on each corner. So far, so good!

For the 1/4" Material I used a combo of chemical weld, fasteners and to finish it off a black silicone to clean the joints and add further bond.

I'm also starting a CB110 rack to stack 5 Iris CB110 tubs using 1/2" material due to the size of the tubs and weight. I was going to do 7 high, but 2 extra tubs would've cost me $110.00 more in material and most would've gone to waste. I'd rather just build them 5 high and stack them for 10 high columns.

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

Looks great, Gerry! I could use some of those.

 

[ssscales]

Thanks Larry, I'll snap some more pics once I am done. For the CB110 tubs I will be doing an open air design to allow some light during the day Vs a dark tub going 38" back. The CB110 tubs measure 38" X 20" X 6.5" and are great for sub-adult Boas, adult males, very large Ball females, etc.

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

Hey Gerry, how did your boa season go this year? I am still waiting on four gravid boas.

 

[ssscales]

This year we're taking it easy and really just taking time for ourselves and prep for next year.

We gave almost everyone off this year and all we're expecting is 1-2 Ball clutches. Don't get me wrong, I love having 100-300 baby Boas around added to our own 70 snakes... We really just wanted to take some time for ourselves this year and give everyone a year off and an extra year for those almost there. This coming season we'll have 8-12 boa pairings and 10-16 Ball pairings.

What are those 4 you're waiting on?
Good luck with them!

 

[Sunshine State Exotics]

I can understand that! It gets to be overwhelming after awhile.

I'm expecting the following:

arabesque x scarlet hypo (this is what Ronne calls his pastel hypos)
high contrast albino x dbl het sunglow
arabesque x normal
hypo x normal

Next year will be huge for us though. I'll have about 20 boa pairings and up to 30 ball pairings.

 

[dprince]

Great job on the racks!!

 

[gecko breeder]

how much for a rack like that be. and a rack like that but a little bit smaller

 

[ssscales]

how much for a rack like that be. and a rack like that but a little bit smaller

Thanks everyone, depends where and who you buy them from. Anywhere from $350-$475 shipped from various cage/rack companies. A rack roughly 1/2 this size to hold 5 28qt and/or 10 12qt tubs will run you $200-$250. I built these myself though....:main_thumbsup:

Rack #2 down...still clocked at about 2-2.5hrs from start to finish. That included a break here and there for a beer.. The 1st one should stack perfectly onto this one. I'm using 1/2" pins to line them up and set them in.

Now to get started on the CB110 rack...LOL

 

[ssscales]

I'm calling it a day for now! Still have 2 more sterilite 10/20 racks and three racks of 10 CB70 tubs to build this weekend...I hope..lol.

They stacked even better than I expected, the seams are seamless and the whole thing is real sturdy. I had some concerns about the 1/4" material, but it worked perfectly!

The 1/2" material was MUCH easier to work with and this rack was completed in 1hr. I decided to go with an open air sides due to the long 38" tubs. I didn't want it too dark inside the tubs and wanted some light to get in. It worked out nicely. I still have to attach the kick plate to the bottom and of course Flexwatt to everything.

 

[Russ S]

Great job on the racks. If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy the plastic?

 

[ssscales]

Great job on the racks. If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy the plastic?

Thanks, check for a local Plastic supplier in your area. You probably have one in your area and don't even know it. I had three in a 30 mile radius of my home.

 

[ssscales]

Before...

After...
I'll replace that other Melamine rack tomorrow or next weekend with another 10/20 rack.

Love these Iris CB110 tubs! Still got to install the 11" Flexwatt, but I'll do that tomorrow or next weekend...lol! I need to make some space in a corner; later on I'll build another 3 tub rack just like it to stack on top of this one.

The best part of all this was...my wife and I alone moved these racks without any straining or the use of a forklift! They are very light, even the 1/2" is manageable Vs Melamine.

 

[monkeygirl]

which plastic material did you use? does it matter?

 

[ByRandom]

He used HDPE.

 

[monkeygirl]

can i ask how much HDPE is in america? its what i wanna build my rack out of