Well im on klubertanz and it has 14 and 16 gauge wire (1"x1/2" mesh) but the price difference is 86.20 for a roll of 50' feet (which is about what i need). The cage im going to make is 2x4x6 and i want it to stand up without a frame but would 16 be alright or should i go with the 14. For cutting if 14 gauge is needed what is the easiest way to cut it? Are J clips easy to use (yes i know you use the j clip pliers) because i can get alot on the klubertanz site for fairly cheap but if im doing the whole cage would it just be easier to use some cable ties?
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#112297 06/22/0607:33 AM06/22/0607:33 AM
The 16 ga is a not going to be structurally strong for anything over 4'. But you can use the wire to reinforce the sides and corners. Shelves also help with the strength. The 14 ga will be thicker but would take away a lot from the appearance of the cage. I don't think you would be pleased with the results of the 14 ga. Use the j clips to help make a more ridgid cage. You will find them to be slow and difficult to use in some areas. Don't forget the door latches. Also the plastic door trim will be great for trimming the inside and outside edges of the doors and openings. On a cage this large it is a good idea to put one door at the bottom on the front and one near the top. Also you will find it easier to use if you have an extra door on the end or rear. You should also get a pair of the flush cut pliers to cut the wire with. You will get cleaner cuts without all the little nubs sticking out.
When building a wire cage give it a lot of thought before each step. It will prevent a lot of mistakes. Charlie H
I have used 16 gauge wire and it is plenty strong for a 6' tall cage. Recently I built a 3'wx2'dx6'h cage for GC's Kristy and it is plenty strong and it is holding up real well. I have used this 16 gauge wire for the same size cage for myself and I never had any problems with it. I have used C-clips when fastening the ends together.
The 14 gauge wire is extremely hard to cut as compared with 16 gauge. Charlie is right, use a flush-cut pliers for a smooth, flush cut of the wire.
The lower the number of gauge, the thicker and stronger it is, hence harder to cut and heavier to move.
Please feel free to contact me if you need help with instructions on how to build a cage. I would be more than happy to help you out.
Jen
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#237564 03/18/0710:17 PM03/18/0710:17 PM
I am looking to build my own cage can you help me?? I have seen many cages made out of small black squares of wire...where do you find this?? and what is the plastic used on the doors... thanks, Kim
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#237580 03/18/0710:33 PM03/18/0710:33 PM
I use the black pvc-coated wire from Klubertanz when building cages. The black trim on the inside of the door is the door trim, which is also obtained at Klubertanz. I have searched high and low for the additional door trim but to no avail, so the only place to get them is at Klubertanz, that I know of.
Sure, I can help you! We will take it by PM or email.
Jen
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#237594 03/18/0710:43 PM03/18/0710:43 PM
I also made my 2'x3'x6.5' cage out of the 1" x 1/2" PVC coated 16 gauge wire from Klubertanz. Don't know if you saw it or not, but you can order the wire by the foot instead of the entire roll. That way you can get the amount you need in the 2' width and also the 4' width which will save you quite a bit of cutting. Just be sure to order enough extra for doors (they'll be bigger than the holes you cut out) and any shelves you want, and of course don't forget about the top and bottom! We actually cut the wire for ours with a dremel tool. It cuts it pretty easily and then kind of smooths off the rough surface. I'm sure it takes a little longer, but just wanted to pass that along. We also put it together with zip ties. I think the ones we used may have been a little small, because when I take it out to wash it and they rub on the concrete they break off. So if you use zip ties, maybe use bigger ones! I'm always having to replace those silly things. I'd also suggest scrubbing down the cage really well before you put your suggies in it. Even more so if you use the dremel tool because it creates lots of metal dust.
My cage is plenty sturdy, but I also made it in two pieces since it is upstairs and I usually take it outside to be cleaned while hubby's at work, so I needed to be able to handle it by myself.
I love it (except for the zip tie problem I mentioned)! I was going to post a couple of pics that I took right after we finished it, but I don't see the File Manager under the post options (I used the Reply, not the Quick Reply). I've posted pics before, and I know it used to be there.
Edited to say: Oh, and of course now I wish I had made it bigger! It fits perfectly where I want it, but I'd like for them to have more room. Another thing to make sure of is that whatever you build will fit through your doorway if it needs to! (That's why mine's only 2' one direction!)
I have the same problem, with the depth of the cage being 2' because of the doors, but that is all right. I get a very satisfied feeling knowing that the gliders are happy in a huge cage.
I wanted to attach some pics of the cage I built, but I don't know how. Can someone tell me?
Jen
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#237864 03/19/0709:48 AM03/19/0709:48 AM
Wow - That's lots of cages!! Those are great. We had no idea what we were doing so it took us a while to figure out how to do what we wanted. But it's nice when you're finished to stand back and say, "Hey, look what we did!" I'm just glad hubby was willing to help me out even though he's got no interest in my gliders!
I love your cages!! And you made those. I could never make anything look so professional. Mine would be all lumpy AND lopsided. Great job. Have you gone into the cage building business yet so I can buy mine off of you?
sherri
Forever home to a wide variety of animals, domestic, farm and exotic. My passion is my little suggie sweethearts! 731-441-9814
LOL!!! I thought about buying the pvc-coated wire and supplies in bulk from Klubertanz and build cages and ship them, but, it is extremely hard to find boxes that size and shipping would be extremely expensive.
I recently shipped a cage to someone in FL and the shipping charge was triple of what I expected.
Newby, thank you for the compliments! I appreciate them!
Jen
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#238037 03/19/0702:01 PM03/19/0702:01 PM
I will definately be contacting you soon about building new ones or upgrading the ones I have. I like my PVC coated cages so much I don't think I'll ever go back to regular metal cages.
Re: 14 or 16 Gauge wire? + Cage building questions
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#238059 03/19/0702:15 PM03/19/0702:15 PM