First things first - you need a plan. I sat down and listed what I wanted for an outdoor cage:
1. Collapsible without unscrewing anything.
2. Very light weight and easily moveable.
3. Weather resistant and maintenance free.
4. HUGE! With easy interior access.
5. Secure from birds and escape.
6. Self-supporting.
7. Sufficient for all-day but not overnight use.
Then, I made a list of everything I would need:
1. Something to make the cage with.
2. Mesh.
3. Screws, nuts, and staples.
4. Latches and hinges.
5. Interior decorating accessories.
Next, I sketched up a functional diagram of the cage. I worked out how I wanted the doors to swing, how I wanted it to collapse, and what quantity each piece I needed to make the cage.
(I actually did the sketches by hand but made this diagram for the tutorial.)
Keep in mind that the dimensions are entirely customizable in - all your short pieces are the same dimension and all your long pieces are the same dimension. Easy Peasy. If you wanted to add a back or bottom panel, you would need to add up the additional material. My GOC was designed to be open in the back and will be closed off with a backdrop (we'll get to that later).
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Back to Intro:
http://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/lathis/890-ferdinands-giant-outdoor-cage.html
Forward to Step 2: Shopping!
http://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/lathis/892-step-2-shopping.html
1. Collapsible without unscrewing anything.
2. Very light weight and easily moveable.
3. Weather resistant and maintenance free.
4. HUGE! With easy interior access.
5. Secure from birds and escape.
6. Self-supporting.
7. Sufficient for all-day but not overnight use.
Then, I made a list of everything I would need:
1. Something to make the cage with.
2. Mesh.
3. Screws, nuts, and staples.
4. Latches and hinges.
5. Interior decorating accessories.
Next, I sketched up a functional diagram of the cage. I worked out how I wanted the doors to swing, how I wanted it to collapse, and what quantity each piece I needed to make the cage.
(I actually did the sketches by hand but made this diagram for the tutorial.)
Keep in mind that the dimensions are entirely customizable in - all your short pieces are the same dimension and all your long pieces are the same dimension. Easy Peasy. If you wanted to add a back or bottom panel, you would need to add up the additional material. My GOC was designed to be open in the back and will be closed off with a backdrop (we'll get to that later).
----------------------------------------------
Back to Intro:
http://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/lathis/890-ferdinands-giant-outdoor-cage.html
Forward to Step 2: Shopping!
http://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/lathis/892-step-2-shopping.html
