My new enclosure design (let me know your comments)

[Rocky]

Hey this is the cage that I have ended up designing. Here I am using 1x2's and 2x4's the bottom where I plan on putting a tub/funnel for drainage.

Wood Cuts

1 x 2's
A - 48 inches (7)
B - 26 inches (6)
C - 13 inches (4)
D - 28 inches (4)
E - 22 inches (3)

2 x 4's
F - 28 inches (2)
G - 26 inches (1)

[A--------------------][A--------------------]
[A--------------------][A--------------------]
[A--------------------][A--------------------]
[A--------------------][E-------][E------][XX] (4in)
[B----------][B---------][B--------][C----][X](5in)
[B----------][b---------][B--------][C----][X](5in)
[D-----------][D---------][D----------][XXXX](12 in)
[D-----------][E--------][C-----][C----][XXXX](20in)

[F------------][F------------][G--------][XXX] (4in)
X is left over wood

This uses 8 pieces of 8 ft 1 x 2's that are prices around 4 dollars each
And 1 peice of 8 ft 2 x 4's I don't remember the price I I guess around $7
$39.00

With ths different sizes and swing doors it has 7 different sizes of screen that needs to be cut out.

You should add 2 inches to each measurement so an inch on each side to staple it to the wood

The dimensions are:
26x10.................1 Bottom of door 28x12
9x28...................2 Door frames 11x30
22z44.................2 Sides 24x26
26x44.................1 Back 28x46
28x26.................1 Top 30x28

This will use 3 rolls of Alluminum screening if cut properly at $7 per roll
$21.00

I'm not sure about how everyone would go about putting them together and if it would be ok to just nail into each other so this step could be skipped possibly. I assume that since they are 1x2s a screw will split the wood so I decided that braces would be best to attatch each end to eachother.

Flat Braces [ O O O ] x 18 = 5 boxes = $15-20
Elbow Braces L shaped x 8 = 2 packs = 8$
Corner Braces (looks like a hinge that doesnt move) x 8 = 2 packs = $8

These prices are probably higher than they cost because I just browsed them and you may need the smaller variety.

25-30 dollars probably

For the door you will need at least 2 locks for the top and bottom and about 6 hinges that will go 3 to each side.

The locks will run you about 5 dollars and the hinges around 8-10.
$15

Ok so if these prices are all correct then it will put this cage that is 4x2'6"x2'4" would run about $110ish.

A bit more expensive than I was expecting does anyone have any ideas on how to cut the prices? I priced all of this at home depot and i have my own sealer/etc. so thats not even included. I will try to find cheaper parts tomorrow when I go reprice everything again >.<

 

[BocaJan]

Nice plan and graphics! Could you eliminate the brackets and just screw it together? If you pre-drilled the holes nothing would split. Definately do not nail. Perhaps there is a cheaper type of hardware to hold the door closed. My screened enclosures all have a plastic tab that just rotates open and closed. This would cut down costs. You still need hinges.

What will you be using on the bottom? I don't know the price of a piece of plexiglass, but you should figure that in or a tray to catch water.

BTW my 2X2X4 cage cost $71 from LLLReptile.

 

[TonyRockyHorror]

Yeah, you don't need the brackets. Just get 90-degree corner clamps and drill pilot holes before screwing and you're good to go.

 

[Drone]

I was thinking of building my own cage but i will probably buy one of these :
http://chameleonsonly.com/Screen-Enclosures.htm
or a custom sized one from http://www.cages.net/

I'm not sure i would save money building my own.

 

[wheresstimpy]

like this kind of, but only half. I would make it one door instead of two if i was you