first enclosure

Plan to get my chameleon sometime next month, but been piecing stuff for my enclosure together for past few weeks. On saturday it should hopefully come together and be built, starting yesterday i sanded and going to start sealing the wood today and do couple coats until than. Its going to be a 24x24x48 enclosure (3 side mesh,back is playwood)

Materials bought:

6 - 1x2x8 poplar pieces $7.96 (sides,top,door, hanging plant supports)
2 -1x3x8 poplar pieces $11.30? (base to keep critters out, not that it helps. and support flooring)
1 - 24x48" acrylic sheeting (.80" thick) cut it half and doubling as floor. (gonna drill holes for drainage) approx.$30
varathane diamond wood finish (waterbased) approx. $20
48x84" black aluminum mesh (the 3 sides) approx. $25
24x60" galvanized hardware mesh (top of the enclosure 1/2 inch holes, more light penetration ) aprox. 10$.

Upload pics moment its done, sucks even when i get my cham he wont go in right away but plan to get plants growing and such until hes 6-9 months. As well anyone looking into building enclosures, you prob can build for alot cheaper and maybe buy already built for cheaper I like that this can be customized and what not.

Oh and tend to buy a silicone to seal corners in the bottom, and not sure what my bro in law has in mind tp piece this together, can anyone give advise if a wood glue may be necessary

I think you're on the right track. After you finish and seal the poplar it'll look great. You should pre-drill pilot holes, use small head finish screws, and definitely glue. If you don't use the glue it could end up being a bit wobbly eventually. Look forward to seeing your finished product. Have fun.

thanks.yeah thats what my brother said at first about the pilot holes, said i was an idiot for buying 1x2's though. My bro in law will more than likely know what to do and i will suggest them to him too. any recommendations on glue? seen gorilla glue somewhere on here.

jamjam said:

thanks.yeah thats what my brother said at first about the pilot holes, said i was an idiot for buying 1x2's though. My bro in law will more than likely know what to do and i will suggest them to him too. any recommendations on glue? seen gorilla glue somewhere on here.

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avid woodworker here, titebond wood glue works just great, drys pretty quick and easy to work with cheaper than gorilla (don't skimp out on it either). make sure you clamp it up to keep pockets from forming in your seams wear mold can grow, and seal/paint the poplar well, exposed raw poplar will rot out quickly. hope the project runs smooth, now i just need to finish mine some day

archristiana said:

avid woodworker here, titebond wood glue works just great, drys pretty quick and easy to work with cheaper than gorilla (don't skimp out on it either). make sure you clamp it up to keep pockets from forming in your seams wear mold can grow, and seal/paint the poplar well, exposed raw poplar will rot out quickly. hope the project runs smooth, now i just need to finish mine some day

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great thanks! Ill try my best with sealing it. Im complete noob handy worker, just tested sealing one piece before i do the rest. I would like it to look nice and well done but I rather it be sealed really well than look really nice, so hopefully dont do a crap job (such as bubbles, streak marks, uneven coats lol) and just end up doing lots of coats. see how it works out

wish me luck

archristiana said:

avid woodworker here, titebond wood glue works just great, drys pretty quick and easy to work with cheaper than gorilla (don't skimp out on it either). make sure you clamp it up to keep pockets from forming in your seams wear mold can grow, and seal/paint the poplar well, exposed raw poplar will rot out quickly. hope the project runs smooth, now i just need to finish mine some day

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I agree on the titebond. eventhough i love gorilla glue, it is activated by moisture and will foam up out of your seams if you use way to much. once titebond is dry, its waterproof and will be perfect. I would also assemble the enclosure first, and then seal and finish.

I recently picked up a corner clamp from the Depot when I was assembling my 6'x6'x3' outdoor enclosure. I screwed, glued, and clamped. Even the 3'x6' door panels made out of 2x2's are nice and stable. It helped w/ holding the corners together while I pre-drilled, and while the glue dried.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Irwin-90-Degree-Angle-Clamp-HD-1826445/203264921#.UmchifmsiM4

hey Andy, my wife is from Syracuse. She went to JD. We were up there for easter. I'm now a Wegman's believer. What a great grocery store.

Ill look into those as well, yeah I'm coating it now a few times than a couple more once its finished

ahhhh!?!?! its built

cannot be much happier with the turnout!! The idea kinda changed a bit and some more wood was bought. Used both titebond and clamps thanks for the suggestions.

not fully complete yet but most of the structural is done. One down fall, we forgot all about legs. Didn't have enough wood for them to add, and think would be quite difficult to add them with good support so leaving it for now, we did elevate few inches off the ground so not sure how or if I will get it much elevated from the floor.

Next steps soon: finish sealing add my meshing and silicone the bottom, add drainage holes

Pictures may have to wait using wifi connection on my phone taking too long

Here are some pics.

Wow really nice job!!

Very nice!! I wouldn't be too worried about the legs as you can build/buy a stand to hold a drainage pan. IMO

drift141 said:

Very nice!! I wouldn't be too worried about the legs as you can build/buy a stand to hold a drainage pan. IMO

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Yeah has the little feet to get it few inches up can prob fit a pan under and empty more often for now. Just so many people suggest having the cham being able to reach 6 feet. Is this rlly an issue? Thanks for the comments

Looks good. I trust mesh cages myself but its nice to see another cham owner from Toronto!

Great job, it's looking fantastic!

Deevo said:

Looks good. I trust mesh cages myself but its nice to see another cham owner from Toronto!

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I know several, don't think any on the forum. My brother use to work pj's at yorkdale than went up to safari in Vaughan mills working reptiles in both. I haven't yet decided where I'm going to purchase my cham yet, there's expo Nov 10 I'll prob be going too. Been thinking chroma. Where did you get yours and what kind if you don't mind me asking

I got mine from a local pet store in Newmarket called Pet Paradise. Its a "fischers" chameleon or a kinyongia vosseleri. I've heard Chameleons Canada is good for panthers

I don't mind anysort of travel. Was almost thinking of a breeder in London. Chameleons canada only does wildcaught though. See with chroma chameleons think all they do is panthers. Ooo and had someone PM me think from markham somewhere in the gta with some I could buy from him. So there's another person from our area. Going to start going around and looking at some chams should be ready to purchase in a few weeks.

Looks great JamJam! Should post some more pics when it's done

Beautiful4Ever said:

Looks great JamJam! Should post some more pics when it's done

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Thanks, definitely will be! Might be a Lil while, built it at my sisters hour and half away from me. Don't think it's going to fit in my car... they coming over friday and bring it in so hopefully done by the weekend. Can't wait!