While i was looking at different ideas for making a bookcase rubbermaid rack system for my silkworm project, I got an idea. Could make a rack system for juvis by screening the back, making the shelf seperate each enclosure. Seal the wood for moisture. I dont know how to make a door though?
Bookcase cages
- Thread starter sking21
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NorCalAnthony
Avid Member
That'd work out great. I had the same idea only using two to add depth for making an inconspicuous cage for our office. Lowes (and I'm sure others) sells a universal screen kit that you can have cut to whatever lengths you need for, I think, free of charge. They're real easy to assemble and work with and then you can pick up a small set of hinges like you would use on a jewelry box and a magnetic catch or something to hold it shut. Good luck on your project and be sure to let us know how it turns out.
Thanks I sure will, and is this screen kit for screen doors or windows. I found a few bookcases people are giving away for free, I happen to like me
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NorCalAnthony
Avid Member
The kits I saw came in different sizes so they could be used for either. Of course most hardware stores will carry everything you need like the screen channels, corner braces, piping, and screen materials and they are usually pretty inexpensive. Here's a link to one of those kits from Home Depot (other stores should carry something similar): http://homedepot.digby.com/homedepot/product/detail.do?itemId=202637911&categoryId=&path=
Ok I got to check that out as soon as possible. I got a dresser im going to use for the silkworms and bookcase type thingy I'm going to practice on, ill be sure to post updates. With this bookcase I found it has a thick wood back so I'm not going to replace it with screen just the front. Couldnt I just cut out a square from the back wood to make a easy hinge door.
NorCalAnthony
Avid Member
I'm assuming you mean that you would cut out a piece of the back to make a door and then have the back be the new front..? If so, you could make a door easy enough that way but the problem would be a lack of air flow if you had a solid wood front and a screened back that would, I'm assuming, then be pressed up against the wall. Kinda defeats the purpose, ya know?
I think your original idea of screening in the front would be the best bet because such a large frontal area would allow for plenty of airflow and the solid walls and top would help trap in the humidity. The screen front would be really easy and inexpensive to build and to make things easy you could have the whole thing be a big door so you don't have to worry about making multiple screens and having gaps that feeder insects could possibly escape through. The only things left would be water proofing the wood in the cage area which isn't hard either and there are tons of options to accomplish it that several members have shared on this forum. Line the walls with linoleum, staple or glue shower curtains to the walls, line the walls with water proof sealant or caulking, etc. You could even make a fake rock background to cover and protect the wood that would look really sweet in that type of set up (I just made one for my cage and they're really easy to make).
Lots of options out there you'll just have to decide which ones are going to work for you.
I think your original idea of screening in the front would be the best bet because such a large frontal area would allow for plenty of airflow and the solid walls and top would help trap in the humidity. The screen front would be really easy and inexpensive to build and to make things easy you could have the whole thing be a big door so you don't have to worry about making multiple screens and having gaps that feeder insects could possibly escape through. The only things left would be water proofing the wood in the cage area which isn't hard either and there are tons of options to accomplish it that several members have shared on this forum. Line the walls with linoleum, staple or glue shower curtains to the walls, line the walls with water proof sealant or caulking, etc. You could even make a fake rock background to cover and protect the wood that would look really sweet in that type of set up (I just made one for my cage and they're really easy to make).
Lots of options out there you'll just have to decide which ones are going to work for you.
Ah no, umm I cant think of how to explain it. But the screen front will still be all screen. I would just use a part of the back as a door and maybe a small hole or something in the side for daily feeding. Theres these little things you can put under furniture to make it slide across the floor. The linoleum lining I thought about and the rock background I didnt want to use the type thats made out of plastic. And the reason why I want to explore other options with the front being a door is the bookcase has a unique front thats a abstract shape
