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home built cage questions

Posted By: Anonymous

home built cage questions - 12/29/04 06:17 AM

I don't have sg's yet (still in the research phase)I plan on building my own cage (save $$ and I like building things) and I have a few questions.
Is there such a thing as too big of a cage? I was planning on building one that is 30"x30"x 5 1/2' (WxDxH)
Those of you that have built cages out of the wire mesh that comes in rolls and you used zip ties or j clips (I have no idea what those are...anyone have a pic?) are they pretty sturdy? It seem like they wouldn't be since they don't really have a "frame"
I want to have some kind of tray on the bottom that will slide out of the bottom for easy cleaning but i'm stumped here. Any ideas what I can use?
Anything else you would like to throw in for a suggestion would be greatly appreciated. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 06:51 AM

Am I reading wrong, or are you really planning on building a 30 FOOT x 30 FOOT cage? Wow!

Having looked at the hardware fabric (wire mesh) I really doubt it would provide enough support on it's own. You could probably build supports in, though.

I built a 40"x20"x3' (WxDxH) cage, or rather I am in the process of building. But I used that coated wire shelving like in this gallery and I can tell it's going to be VERY sturdy. I used wire ties, because I was worried metal j-clips would rub through the coating.

Have you looked at the GC Cage Gallery?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 07:01 AM

whoops I meant 30"x30" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> It has been changed to show the correct measurements. I like that one in the first link. Where do you get that stuff and how much does it cost?? I didn't know there was a GC Cage gallery, I learn something new every time I come here!! Thanks
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 07:39 AM

[:"blue"] Having built a number of cages, I can offer you some answers based on experience.

Yes.....a cage can be too big. If you can't get it thru all of the doorways in your house, then it is too big!!! Cage size is sort of a personal thing and there is no one ideal size. Every situation is different. I consider the width and height of your proposed cage to be just right for many situations but would warn against making the cage 30" deep. I'm over 6' tall and have pretty long arms and I can't easily reach the back of a 24" cage!!! I think you will be very satisfied with a cage that is 30"x18"x 5.5'.

Either zip ties or J-Clips will work just fine and will give you a good sturdy cage. You can see what J-Clips look like at www.klubertanz.com and they also sell plastic litter trays. There are pros and cons to both zip ties and J-Clips. I prefer J-Clips; but for the average cage builder, zip ties are probably the better choice. Since you will probably be using black wire, be sure to use black zip ties. Using white zip ties with black wire is not real appealing to my eye!!! BTW, you will not need to worry about a frame with a cage of this size; but it is a good idea to add some shelves inside the cage. They make nice places for gliders to perch and they add a great deal of stiffness to the structure of the cage. I have 6-5" wide shelves evenly spaced up and down each end of the cage.(3 on each end)

If you decide to proceed with your project, email me and I can give you a couple of other tips that will help make your project less difficult. [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 08:03 AM

Wow thanks alot Randy. That website is great! Do you have any pics of your cages? I'm going to hold you to that offer on the tips to make things less difficult.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 04:40 PM

I got the wire shelving at Lowe's. I bought (2) 12' x 20" sections, plus a 6' x 20" section. We cut one of the 12' pieces into (4) 3' sections. Then the other 12' piece was made into (2) 3' sections, (1) 40" section, (1) 32" section. The 6' piece was made into (1) 40" section and (1) 32" section.

That left me with (6) 3' sections, (2) 40" sections and (2) 32" sections.

The 3' sections make up the walls - the cage is 3' high, and has 1 section on both sides and 2 sections front and back, so it's 20" deep and 40" wide.

The 40" sections make up the roof and the floor. I raised the floor a bit, so that I can put material under the cage to make clean up easy.

The remaining 32" sections are turning into the doors and shelves.

I'm using wire ties because I don't want something metal that will wear through the coating easily, and I think they look fine. I am in search of clips for the doors, though. And one of the sides will swing out to give full access to the cage.

For materials, I spent $33 for each 12' section and I think $16 for the 6' section. I didn't shop around, though - I might have found better prices. We also bought a huge pack of wire ties, and a flat board thing to put under the cage.

Oh, and you'll need bolt cutters and a dremmel tool. I plan on using enamel to cover the bare metal from the cuts.

I'm really excited about the cage though, because I couldn't find a nice looking cage that was big anywhere! They were either ugly and big, or pretty and small. Plus, this one will allow me to adjust the shelves easily when I feel like rearranging, since I'm using wire ties.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 04:58 PM

I built a cage out of wire shelving that is 3'x3'x6'. I'm currently in the process of making it 18" deep though, because like Randy said, 3' deep is just to far to reach... It's very easy to make cages out of wire shelving and I love my cages to death, they are my pride and joy. And after 3 years of own gliders and at least a dozen different cages, I can honestly say that the wire shelving is my favorite. I also like the wire from www.klubertanz.com. I'm planning on making some small travel cages with it some time soon.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 05:21 PM

P.S. The shelving I got is called "close mesh" - it's 1/2", whereas most of the other stuff is about 1".
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 06:42 PM

Faiere and Leyna when you get your cages done I want to see pics! They both sound like what i'm wanting to build.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 06:45 PM

I should be able to post pics tomorrow. I tore my cage down and just finished cleaning it. I need to put it back together and go to work right now though...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 07:44 PM

Great, i'm looking foreward to seeing the pics!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/29/04 08:31 PM

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Faiere and Leyna when you get your cages done I want to see pics! They both sound like what i'm wanting to build.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

[:"blue"] Have you looked at the GC Photo Gallery?? Candice oversees a wonderful collection of glider related photos. There is one section devoted exclusively to glider cages!!! [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 12:33 AM

Randy is quite the building-guru, he helped me so much with questions when I built my cage. The only thing that I dislike is that it isn't very sturdy since I didn't use a frame...its sturdy enought for the gliders and holding their toys and whatnot, but when I'm cleaning it or working in it, it is a bit more plyable than I wish it was. So you might want to use a frame of some sort...

I would discourage a wood frame though. My first glider was not a chewer, so I thought wood would be fine (shalacked and all), but when I got her mate, the wood had to go, I think sometimes Webster confuses himself with a woodchuck.

Good Luck with your building!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 05:51 AM

That is why i'm interested in that wire shelving stuff. It seems to be a little more sturdy than the other wire that comes in rolls. Randy already sent out an invitation to pick his brain when I get started and i'm sure I will take him up on his offer too!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 08:52 AM

Here are some pictures of my cage now. The top part will be holding a quad and the bottom a pair...

Attached picture 318911-Joeys058.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 08:53 AM

A close up of the top...

Attached picture 318912-Joeys060.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 08:54 AM

And of the bottom...

-I'm just using little cage clips to hold it closed for now. I'm looking for a perminant solution and I have an idea, I just can't seem to find the part I need...

Attached picture 318913-Joeys059.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 09:38 AM

I resized one of Leyna's pictures to make it easier to view!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />

Attached picture 318919-untitled.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 12:59 PM

Oh, thank you Randy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My computer resizes them itself, so I always forget that they are big...

Also, I need to clairify my last post. I was talking about door latches. I am currently using cage clips (the plastic ones some people use for toys) to hold my cage doors closed. I have an idea for a more perminant lock, but I have yet to be able to find the right handware.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 04:34 PM

WOW!! Leyna, your cage is really AWESOME!! You never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 05:13 PM

Leyna,

What are you using to hold the cage together? I'm using wire ties, but I'd like to find something non-metal...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/30/04 06:27 PM

That looks great!! It looks really sturdy too. Faierie it looks like she is using zip ties to hold it together.
Leyna what is your idea for latching the door? Maybe I can help you find what you need (and steal your idea ;D)
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 08:08 AM

I used zip ties to hold it together. I can tear it down by myself in about 10-15 minutes and it takes me about 45 mintues to put it all together, but that's just because I have to count bars to know where everything goes... It's very sturdy and I like it the most out of any cage I've ever had. I really like my big doors. It makes it easy for me to get things in/out of the cage.

As for my door latch, I have a few different ideas. One of them is to use these little twist locks (what Sugar Rae's uses to hold down their wheels). I've also been trying to find a bolt lock that would work, but the door sticks out slightly past the frame making that difficult. Right not I'm just using little luggage locks.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 09:15 AM

My boyfriend and I built a bigger cage for our 2 (now sadly 1) gliders. We got everything we needed from Home Depot and it only cost us $50-$60. We used coated grid wire so the gliders wouldn't have a problem walking on the cage, and used plastic zip ties to hold it together. I didn't like the idea of metal on the cage so they couldn't hurt themselves. We got plastic to put around the doors we cut out so it wouldn't be sharp. We put in 2 doors so that we could reach ALL angles of the cage--I think you should do the same. Like Randy said, it can be tricky reaching the back of the cage. And we bought little bungee cords to keep the doors closed bc I wasn't too fond of the j-clips. You can go to Home Depot and buy a plastic tray for the bottom of the cage too. We just line ours with paper towel and then just throw it away when we clean it, it makes it easier. If you have any questions, let us know!! Good luck with your cage and first suggie!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 09:29 AM

I'm getting so many good ideas! I'm glad I found this place. I have an idea that I haven't seen on any cages yet. I saw this on a cage (I have attached an image) It is angled metal that goes around the outside to catch some of the droppings they leave behind when they are on the side of the cage. It seems like a pretty good idea.

Attached File
319355-sgcagebottomidea.bmp  (33 downloads)
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 02:36 PM

Lol, the angeled metal is a good idea, but to catch all of the gliders dropings, it would need to stick out about a foot...

The bungee cords are a good idea...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 06:55 PM

I didn't figure it would catch all the dropings, just some. I've read that they can be quite messy getting food and other stuff on walls so I knew it wouldn't catch it all.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 12/31/04 09:41 PM

Stuff on the walls--YES!!! I actually bought some fleece material that matches the rest of the stuff in their cage and put it on the wall. That way when it gets dirty, I can just wash it with the rest of their pouches etc. I also think you should invest in a dust buster, nothing expensive. Just one that can pick up some of the crumbs and droppings that will get outside of the cage. Good luck with your cage!!

Leyna--Thanx!! I thought the bungees were a good alternative too!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:59 AM

So bungees are the way to go in latching doors then. Randy the cage guru do you have any input on latching doors??
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 08:24 AM

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
.....Randy is quite the building-guru.....it is a bit more plyable than I wish.....

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

[:"blue"] Did you like that nice post by my sister-in-law?? []http://usgn.org/board/images/smiles/rofl3.gif[/] Just kidding!!

Guru of drinking beer...definitely... and maybe of Dutch oven lasagna; but cage-building is a stretch. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" />

Lauren is correct in pointing out the flexibility of the cages made from Home Depot wire. I am careful to warn new builders that the HD cages aren't bomb-proof; but everyone has a different idea about how much flexibility is acceptable. I put extra shelves/platforms in the cage to give it more strength and put in a couple of pieces to reinforce the roof and the floor. Even with that the cage does flex a little; but it is not a problem.....I can hang a big heavy wheel from the wall without any difficulty. I really only recommend HD wire for people who are on a very tight budget. The wire from Klubertanz is a much better material; but is also more expensive. [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 10:51 AM

That is what I have to hold my doors shut, they work great.

Attached picture 319727-100_4396.JPG
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 05:30 PM

[:"blue"] Hi Troy:

I have been using those mini bungees for years!! Probably wasn't the first person ever to use them; but do think I may have been the first to ever post about them on GC??? I think they are a wonderful....
only problem I have is the hooks on mine are some sort of cheap metal and start to rust after a while and have to be replaced. Not a big problem as they are so cheap. Hope one day to find some with plastic hooks like their big brothers!! [/]
Posted By: BMXgirl

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 06:48 PM

Hehe! Nope Randy... I know I beat you to posting about the bungee cords. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> When I built my first cage in 2000, thats what I used, and had posted about them. Worked really well for me.
Then, I figured out something else.... if I took stiff wire (I have actually used brass coat hangers before too, and it worked out well)... what I do is just cut the wire in small strips and bend my own door latches, and use heavy duty zip ties to attach them to the door. Oh my gosh, it turned out to be SO much eaiser getting in and out of the doors. (I thought the bungee cords were really easy, but this was waaay better for me.)
Hang on, let me get a pic of a travel cage door that I made latches on.... (maybe it might give a better idea what Im talking about.)

Be right back....
Posted By: BMXgirl

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:02 PM

Here are a few pics of how I did the latches on some cages. I dunno if it would be helpful to anyone else or not, but they sure made it easier for me. (not the best looking latches in the world, but they serve the purpose. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )

Latch open...

Attached picture 319819-latches2.jpg
Posted By: BMXgirl

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:02 PM

Latch closing...

Attached picture 319820-latches3.jpg
Posted By: BMXgirl

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:04 PM

Latch closed...

They really have worked out well for me, easy to open and close, and very secure. I just make however many I think the door needs... (I have 3 latches on a pretty good sized door, and it holds it shut tight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Attached picture 319821-latches1.jpg
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:07 PM

[:"blue"] <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> Hi Hope:

You beat me to the punch on roller bearings in glider wheels so why not bungee cords.....guess I should have known better?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />

Anyway.....brass coat hangers.....never heard of such a thing????

Next thing, you will tell me something like you have a heated toilet seat....... []http://usgn.org/board/images/smiles/rofl3.gif[/] [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:14 PM

Thats a pretty good idea!
Posted By: BMXgirl

Re: home built cage questions - 01/01/05 07:15 PM

Annnd, what if I do have a heated toilet seat? Hmmmmm? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
(but ya know, that might be nice, Im telling ya, getting up in the middle of the night to sit on a cold potty, isnt pleasant! I think you may have something there! I guess I could always get out the blow dryer and heat up the seat? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shakehead.gif" alt="" /> )

As for the brass coat hangers... I dont know, but I believe my Mother had gotten them from a dry cleaning place a couple years ago. I only had a few of them, and I cut them all up for uhhh, Glider stuff. LOL. (They looked like regular coat hangers, 'cept the 'knot' part at the top was a little different. I dunno...
I suppose you could probably find some kind of wire at a hardware store that would work well... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (I know they have those stainless steel rods in different sizes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/03/05 07:44 AM

A heated toilet seat, hmmmm that would be nice!!
Well i'm going cage material shopping tomorrow and hopefully I come home with some materials!
Oh yeah if I run across any heated toilet seats I will let you guys know the price <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/03/05 07:48 AM

Oh yeah, as Randy suggested I am going to add some shelves to help sturdy it up and give them some more places to sit. Do they have to have some place "solid" to sit/lay on? By solid I mean a surface other than cage material.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: home built cage questions - 01/03/05 08:22 AM

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Oh yeah, as Randy suggested I am going to add some shelves to help sturdy it up and give them some more places to sit. Do they have to have some place "solid" to sit/lay on? By solid I mean a surface other than cage material.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

[:"blue"] For your shelves. use a material that IS NOT solid!! That way waste food etc. will fall through to the litter pan and not build up on the shelves. Every cage should have a couple of shelves; but "EXTRA" shelves for structural integrity are only really necessary if you are using the thin HD wire. Most of the materials that we have been discussing in this thread don't need the extra help. [/]
Posted By: Winkle

Re: home built cage questions - 01/03/05 01:31 PM

i would like to make my own cage, because the right size will be hard to find. and where im from really expensive. but i feel kinda bad knowing this cage will hopefully be needed for awhile and that all they have is a homemade clip tied cage. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> i spose i will shop around and compare prices.
maybe if i can try and build this cage really professionally i wont feel so bad
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