My first DIY rack system

[0TG]

Finally gave a go at this. I've got six new corns coming and needed a place to put them all. This is what I came up with.

This idea started out very small. Then when I got to Lowes to to pick up the materials, the idea grew. So instead of a small system that would be able to house six small corn snakes in six 6.5 quart rubbermaid storage containers, it's able to hold 16.

You could assemble a similar rack to this with VERY little cutting/ripping, as the lengths provided from the factory work out very nicely. Since I wanted to hold the shelves back about 1/4" from the front of the vertical sides (as seen here)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101B3380.jpg

...I had to trim a bit off here and there. I won't bother to go into specific dimensions for you because quite frankly, I don't really know them. I just kind of went with the flow and figured things out as I went along.

This is a work in progress but here's what I have done so far:

Materials used:

Four 3/4X16X48 white melamine shelving
Four 3/4X16X36 white melamine shelving
One 5/8X10X36 white shelving
One 1/4X4X8 birch plywood

Determine the length of the sides and make a rip about a quarter of an inch down the back edge of one of the sides. Be sure to have the blade set low enough that you don't cut off the entire edge:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3395.jpg

Break off the rip with a putty knife and then use the knife to scrape off the rest of the fluff that doesn't break off:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3396.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3397.jpg

You will need to do this with both sides, and the top; it will give you an edge like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3360.jpg

...so that the 1/4" ply wood can sit on the back like this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3362.jpg

This gives the unit a much nicer finish as you don't have to worry about seeing/painting/finishing or even dealing with the ugly, rough edges of the plywood.

Determine the length and width of the bottom piece and lay it down. Stand one of the sides up next to the bottom and place the storage bin on the bottom piece and use spacers to allow for heat expansion. Place one of the shelves on top of the storage bin to automatically determine where the shelf will be fastened. Screw the side into the bottom piece and then to the first shelf. I used 1 5/8 trim screws.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101B3370.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3398.jpg

Before you add the shelves, make sure that they are of proper size and they will line up with the back of the groove you cut on the sides.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3363.jpg

Repeat this process with the other side. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3390.jpg

I drilled a 1 and a half inch hole on each side of each shelf before adding the next shelf. This is for the heating tape/wires etc. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3391.jpg

Continue this process with each shelf:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3392.jpg

Once you have all the shelves fastened, determine the length and width of your top piece. Since I didn't want to ruin the tops finish by screwing down into the vertical sides, I used dowel rods and glue.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3399.jpg

Use dowel center plugs to line up the holes on the vertical sides and the holes on the bottom of the top piece being careful to line up exactly where you want the top piece to lay.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3400.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3403.jpg

Whoopsies, drilled too far!! :awcrap:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3404.jpg

A little putty will fix that right up. :nyah:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3416.jpg

Glue the dowels and top piece, fasten the top to the vertical sides and clamp:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3406.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3405.jpg

The groove on the top for the 1/4 plywood should line up nicely the the grove on the sides:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3408.jpg

Cut the plywood to fit the back:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3409.jpg

See now nicely it fits and that the rough edges of the plywood are covered by the nice, smooth finish of the melamine shelves.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3410.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3417.jpg

[0TG]

I needed a piece to mount my electrical boxes to so I made this piece. I also think it gives it a nice look. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3418.jpg

Center the electrical box in the center of the horizontal piece and trace with a pencil.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3419.jpg

Drill a hole big enough to allow the blade of the jigsaw to fit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3420.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3421.jpg

Cut.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3422.jpg

I drilled and screwed 2 1/4 inch screws on both sides and also used a right angle drill to screw up through the vertical piece into the top to close off any gaps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3424.jpg

And there you have it, everything is done except for the electrical stuff. I'm going to wait to put the back on as it will be easier to have access to the back to staple down all the wiring. I have two boxes because I want to be able to set up two rheostats, one for the bottom two rows and one for the top two, since cold air falls and will likely need to be set at a higher temp than the top two.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3426.jpg

[0TG]

DIY rheostat:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3431.jpg


Flexwatt heat tape laid down and taped with foil tape:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3432.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3433.jpg


A shot from the back showing the wiring:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3434.jpg


The connection:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/0scarTheGrouch/Snake%20racks/Snake%20rack%201/101_3435.jpg

[Josh]

nice very nice

[0TG]

I did the same thing for the bottom two shelves and nailed the back 1/4 plywood on. I drilled two 4" holes using a hole saw for each shelf level for louvers to allow for ventilation. All that's left is to touch up some paint and plug it in. It will be ready for my six new corns on Wednesday. :)

[Josh]

you wanna build one for me :rolleyes:

[adamanteus]

Nice work, Nick. Excellent write up too...thanks!

[0TG]

you wanna build one for me :rolleyes:


Nah not really. :D ;)




Nice work, Nick. Excellent write up too...thanks!

Thanks, the write up is the hardest part. :p

[Josh]

someone should make an article on diy enclousures
cough james cough

[adamanteus]

I suspect you know your way around the workshop, Nick. What do you do for a living?

[adamanteus]

someone should make an article on diy enclousures
cough james cough

Thanks, Josh..... I'll take that as a compliment, but have you seen the new thread from Sjoerd (reptileparadise)?:eek:
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/enclosures/1548-new-reptileroom.html

[Josh]

i know its a.......a........REPTILE PARADISE!!!!!!!!

[adamanteus]

It makes my work look a little 'sad'! http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/enclosures/526-new-vivaria.html?highlight=vivaria

[Josh]

if you think yours is sad you should see my "birdhouse"

[0TG]

It makes my work look a little 'sad'! http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/enclosures/526-new-vivaria.html?highlight=vivaria

Nothing sad about that at all, mate. That's some fine work.


I suspect you know your way around the workshop, Nick. What do you do for a living?

Mostly carpentry. My dad has his own business and after a couple years of college and not knowing just what it is I want to do with my life, I decided to work for him for a while. That while has turned out longer than I ever thought it would be but I'm learning a valuable trade in the mean time.

[Stefan-A]

That looks very good indeed. :)

[Cazador]

Hey Nick,
The racks look really nice. Thanks for sharing your design and plans. It's ideas like those that spark something new out of the next person and keep projects improving all the time. I've never used the flexwatt tape and was wondering if you find it necessary to include a thermostat?
Rick

[0TG]

I've never used the flexwatt tape either. :D

Right now I just have the DIY rheostat hooked up (which consists of a regular dimmer switch used for lighting). According to my temp gun it's 83 degrees on the warm side (the back) and 77 on the cool side (the front) which is just about perfect for the corns I plan on housing.

I've only just plugged it in a couple of hours ago so I suspect I'll have to do some fine tuning but from my observations thus far the flexwatt doesn't get nearly as hot as some of the heating pads available on the market today.

[drache]

very nice, Nick
thanks fer the detail
I'm gonna have to read through it more in a more focussed manner
I know there's some details that'll help me with my imminent project

[GarterGuy]

Very nice setup.....not a very great DIY person myself, I do better at setting up the insides of the enclosures....LOL.

Roy