ideas and questions

[captainmorgan]

Alright, I finally got the materials to house my 2 boas together. I know most everyone says it's a bad idea to house to boas together but these boas are only 4 feet long and the enclosure there getting is 10X bigger than them. I've decided to make an enclosure for life for them. It's a 8 ft long, 4ft depth, 4ft height enclosure. I went out and bought a 3/4" 4'X8' piece of oak plywood.


First problem, the door is only going to allow a 28" depth.
Solution, cut the plywood in half and put it on hinges. Just like a collapsable table I can take the snakes out and make a collapsable cage. I only need to do this for the top and bottom pieces.

I do need to know what kind of stain to use? I know it's been asked but I don't have the time right now to look for the posts. So what can I use for oak that won't be toxic? And yes I will treat the wood first before staining it. I'm going to use some glass doors for it. I'm debating a separator or not. I mean a 4'X4' enclousure is still big for them now.

MATTER A FACT I'LL SCAN THE DESIGN AND POST IT. I'M FULL OF IDEAS FOR THIS!!! Only question I got is the staining.
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[Joltman]

as far as I know just about any kind of stain will work as long as you let it cure a considerable time. but to be on the safe side I would look for kid safe stain.
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[Ti]

Hey Cap,

I am just about finished with my furniture grade cage that I have been working on for a while now. All I need now are one heat panel and one set of plexiglass doors. Plexi is much lighter than glass, but scratches easier. I'll post a pic one of these days...

As far as stain, I used a minwax stain. It went on smooth and had very little odor when wet, and no trace of any smell after it dried. I then applied several coats of polyurathane and allowed to fully cure. This stank for days, but now there are no residual odors left. The Polyurathane I use was minwax simigloss which is a type of hardwood floor finish, waterproof and completely non-toxic once cured. Only problem I foresee is that over time, the heat from my panels might discolor and crack the poly. But that shouldn't happen for several years, and by that time, I will probably want a new cage anyway! I am fickle that way [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] !

I have not read anything about specific brands not to use. I have read that you need to allow whatever stain/varnish/poly/urathane/etc to fully cure until no odors remain before introducing your animals to the enclosure, or the area around it for that matter. Curing times really depend on your climate, temps and humidity. Just make sure to fully inspect for full curing before putting your animals in.

If you have any other Q's, you can drop me an email, and I'll try to help. Good Luck!
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[captainmorgan]

Hey Ti, thanks for all the good info. I'll use the same kind. My stain is going to be a darker stain though. I've run into so many problems with dimensions. That's why I came across collapseable frames. I also found a light that looks like a rock at lowes and a bird that looks like a bird. I can't wait to get them all and put it all together. Anywho, thanks again. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
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[XzyluM]

Sounds like you got a nice project going captain. Some pics would be really interesting.
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[Dr.Oviparous]

can't wait to see the pics!!!! -Juggalo
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