My Review of DIYcages.com (2014)

Most of the times I like to really research something before buying it. Sometimes a little too much, ha ha. I wasn't able to find much recent information other than they are okay, except for a nice older review of them on this site. But they've updated some of their features/design since then. I decided to go with the DIYcage and got it from their ebay listing, I felt better with the ebay buyer protection. I figured I'd post another detailed review with photos of the 2014 model being sold. Hopefully this may be helpful to others trying to make a decision on a cage.

Here it is in the box before opening:


All the cage pieces taped together. Seemed well packed, even had a folded piece of cardboard around the screen to protect it during shipping.


Partially assembled, just needs the doors on the front.


Oh no, I grabbed the bottom door panel and the plastic pin (hinge) is missing. Looks like it broke completely off. It's supposed to be where the white mark is, the other side is fine. I've sent the seller an email asking for another bottom door panel with both pins, we'll see how he responds.


I went ahead and finished the assembly, really an easy project. Instructions were more like a part list. But, they have a nice slide show for the instructions on their website. The bottom door is just held by the clip for now.


Now they use spline again, so if the screen gets ripped, it can be replaced. Here's a close-up of one of the corners.


Close up of the metal latch (these are for the upper door). This is the upper lock, but both look the same. It's a light duty metal latch, it clicks every 1/4 turn, it needs to be clicked over twice to clear the door. Care should be taken with it, because if it's only clicked once it catches the upper part of the door which may break it if forced. So just be careful to click it twice.


They have a nice feeling aluminum handle.


Here's a close-up of the right side of the lower door. You can see the plastic latch to keep it shut.


Here's the close-up left side of the lower door. You can see how the door is shut, but the upper corner isn't flush because of the broken pin.


So, overall my opinion is it's a nice well built cage. I was surprised just how thick the plastic bottom was, I was expected a real thin one. The screws all lined up and the door opens easily. The screen was tight enough and looked good. Hopefully, the bottom door panel gets resolved. Good thing is it will be awhile before I get a Chameleon, so I have the time.

Nice review.

Just a quick note- I got a bunch of them from them last year.
Torn screen on the old ones with the plastic insert can be replaced and splined as well. The plastic insert just has to be removed from the groove- pretty easy with a screw driver to pop it out. The frame is the same- can be splined once the plastic thingie is removed from the groove.

I bought several this year.

Don't care for the plastic corners on the inside, had to fill them with silicone, small crickets kept escaping or hiding in them. The latches are annoying always having to make sure they are clicked all the way open. My door hinges didn't line up well, but costumer service sent me new sides right away and that fixed the problem for the most part. They still stick a little. I do like the handles, that and the price was why I tried them.

fluxlizard - Thanks. Good to know that the older style screen can be replaced too. The thought that the screen wasn't replaceable was one of the things that was giving me concerns about buying one of these.

ponders - I didn't even think anything of the little open squares in the corners. The open squares are just on the in side of mine, there's no opening on the outside. So, I doubt a feeder could get out of mine there, but of course I haven't used it yet. I could see one climbing in and trying to hide. Here are some photos of my corners.

My Reptibreeze came with a broken pin on the lower door. I ended up using a small drill bit to remove the plastic plug in the frame where it broke off and made the the hole larger with a drill bit to fit a dowel. I did it slow and made the hole larger one drill bit at a time until I got a perfect fit.

Hope you get the new door soon.

Craig94089 said:

My Reptibreeze came with a broken pin on the lower door. I ended up using a small drill bit to remove the plastic plug in the frame where it broke off and made the the hole larger with a drill bit to fit a dowel. I did it slow and made the hole larger one drill bit at a time until I got a perfect fit.

Hope you get the new door soon.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea. I was thinking I could do something with it, just wasn't sure how. I'll save it as a last resort, if I don't hear back. I'm still waiting for response to my email.

Overall looks like a nice cage...I'm liking the aluminum finish. I built a custom corner stand for my cresties then decided to add a cham to add to the showcase so looks like I'll be building a whole new stand to accommodate a larger cage and plumbing. At least I can recycle the wood for the outdoor setup and throw some wheels on it to be mobile . Ever since I witnessed a falcon or hawk tear up a seagull in the backyard I have been super paranoid taking my guy out just on my shoulder with no protection.

Craig94089 said:

Overall looks like a nice cage...I'm liking the aluminum finish.

Click to expand...

Yeah, we liked the aluminum finish look over the black. Another reason we chose the DIY cage, I thought I read that the LLL grey was now darker. Just got word, he is sending me a new door, so I should be good to go with the cage.

I have a Xlg cage from them too, but when I put it together, the latches were on the right, not the left, as they are in your pics.

How could that happen??!!

Psychobunny said:

I have a Xlg cage from them too, but when I put it together, the latches were on the right, not the left, as they are in your pics.

How could that happen??!!

Click to expand...

Not sure, do they work or are they upside down? I don't see how my latches would work from the other side. They would be clicking up not down, so doubt they would stay locked. Have you contacted them?

Got the new door, now it works great. Totally satisfied with my purchased. Thanks DIY.

Alec is a great guy from DIY. I have a couple enclosures from them. I am a big fan of DIY Cages.