| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lozzy |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 00:24:31
Ok guys i'm seriously contemplating building my own viv stack so i've drawn up a quick drawing and just wanted peoples opinions on measurements really...
also do you guys think it would be ok to put a lx24 viv that my leo is in on top of this stack?
Thanks for all your help  |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| copey1975 |
Posted - 29/05/2012 : 23:47:40
I built these two myself ...but I used Conti-board...so you don't need to varnish
My kingsnakes viv
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My sons Garters viv
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The pair together...I am currantly building another big viv for my Anery
Mark |
| a2c7 |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 12:41:50
MDF is the cheapest. Consider that over time it will deteriorate unless it's sealed really damn well (and even then over the period of many years you might find it gets softer with humidity). Yacht varnish has been recommended to me and I've seen several others use it. It's really damn waterproof and that's what you need for sealing your MDF, I've used it on polystyrene coated with grout.
Also consider aesthetics - if you can get your hands on some non-pine wood sheets (or ply) it might look better to use 'proper' wood, then you can have fun working with the grain and making sure it's stronger than MDF. Depends how much you want to spend really - if you check out the other thread to do with a viv build you'll see all sorts of things like prices and practicality discussed. MDF is ugly so you might want to paint it before you varnish it, which will only seal it better and make it last longer anyway.
I had the same with my Dad - he's always made things himself and was a DT teacher. I grew up with a bed made by him, sofa, bunk bed, toys....at one point in his history he made a new chassis for a car out of wood!! I love getting stuck in and doing stuff but I often find that materials (non trade) are just too expensive compared to what you can buy ready made or flat packed in the shops these days. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 10:28:56
will defo not be making vivs but i shall be making (with grandads help) a unit for my hopefully new additions to sit on :P |
| Spreebok |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 10:22:22
Cant say for varnish, but MDF oh yes :D |
| Lozzy |
Posted - 03/05/2012 : 10:16:03
a2c7, Hehe i will see what i can do about the how too im more one with my hands than words and calculations! lol and my dad is really busy at the moment so it will be more just giving me advice when i need it. but i was brought up round him building stuff and i love flat pack so im hoping it will be fine. I have now decided to put my leo somewhere else to eliminate the possibility of bowing :)
In response to Georgina, i was thinking of making it a little wider as my little one is quite long at the moment so expecting her to be quite big and my next is another little girl so potentially on the large size too.
Also what would be the best wood option? i was thinking the MDF route with yaught varnish?
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| a2c7 |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 19:08:11
Ach, if you've got a Dad who is a carpenter I hardly needed to post what I did! Good luck and be sure to show us pictures when you're done - you could even make a how-to post for it. |
| Lozzy |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 15:06:29
Thanks for all your comments guys im only doing it cos my dad who is a carpenter challenged me lol and i thought i might possibley save some money if i can buy the wood on his trade card lol |
| a2c7 |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 10:30:33
I'd be concerned about the strength of the middle of your vivs if they're having smaller vivs put on top of them. You might want to put bracers across the top of the ceiling of the viv below to prevent it from sagging under the weight depending on your wood and how high you eventually plan to go.
Also make sure (you probably already know to do this) that you build the vivs with the top and bottom pieces being the biggest and all other pieces on the inside of them as this is stronger. So the top rests on the sides and the back and the back and sides rest on the bottom piece basically. |
| kev 5 |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 10:25:14
it looks good |
| Georgina |
Posted - 02/05/2012 : 00:28:56
as long as it has a solid back on it should be good. i would possibly (if you have the room) make then 42" wide, just on the off chance you get a monstor corn. x
but i love that people are viv building. i think im going to draw some plans up. which now has to include and aboreal viv for goyle. xx |
