tdotcham
New Member
I originally started with what now turns out to be a prototype seeing as I made it for a single cage, and recently bought a 2nd. So while hes growing in his baby cage I decided to start a new project over the winter.
The basic materials list I used are:
- 1 4x8 sheet of plywood from Home Depot ($6)
- 2 2x4 (scraps but can be purchased from Home Depot
- Industrial vinyl I had from a friend who works at sign business
- wood screws
- cabinet doors I took from an old bathroom
- scrap MDF to make the "trim"
- sink drain from Walmart
The stand measures 49" wide by 25" deep and 30" tall. To give a quick low-down on how I built the frame: I started off with cutting the 2x4's width wise for the top and bottom of the frame. After this, I screwed the plywood sides after I cut them to size to make a basic rectangle. After this I cut the plywood into strips so that the front would not be open where the cabinet doors wouldn't cover. So basically I had a rectangle with closed sides, open front with small strips. The back is completely open, along with the bottom and top.
After this, I screwed on a small plank from front to back to support the drain and took a circle bit to give me something to screw the drain down to. I applied the vinyl over the top, and made small slits in it so I could install the drain and lock it tight. After the drain was installed, I stretched the vinyl tight and stapled it down which made a nice slope for water collection. After, I ripped MDF for "trim" as well as to finish off the piece. I overlapped the top trim about 1" above the top of the stand in order to support the cages and not allow them to fall off. The top trim I ripped 3" and the bottom 4" for a little fancy style.
Right now I just finished painting the doors, along with the trim a nice white. Im still deciding on the base colour, and will probably match the middle of the cabinets with that colour as well. Im also thinking of compounding the plywood and sanding it smooth for a nice finish.
I've seen so many threads asking for drainage solutions, honestly this is something I can put in my apartment that looks nice, is functional, and is also able to store all my extras. Underneath the drainage I use a large bucket for collection of drainage water. Here's some photos to help people with their own DIY
Front View
Side View
Top View (you can see how it supports the cage in the stand)
Slope of vinyl (the drain isn't secured down in this one but you can see the nice grade it has so all the water goes to the drain)
Inside the stand (how I secured the sides)
For the drain
Kitty wanted to help
Test fitting a cage that I'm also building for the baby to move into and what it should look like
The basic materials list I used are:
- 1 4x8 sheet of plywood from Home Depot ($6)
- 2 2x4 (scraps but can be purchased from Home Depot
- Industrial vinyl I had from a friend who works at sign business
- wood screws
- cabinet doors I took from an old bathroom
- scrap MDF to make the "trim"
- sink drain from Walmart
The stand measures 49" wide by 25" deep and 30" tall. To give a quick low-down on how I built the frame: I started off with cutting the 2x4's width wise for the top and bottom of the frame. After this, I screwed the plywood sides after I cut them to size to make a basic rectangle. After this I cut the plywood into strips so that the front would not be open where the cabinet doors wouldn't cover. So basically I had a rectangle with closed sides, open front with small strips. The back is completely open, along with the bottom and top.
After this, I screwed on a small plank from front to back to support the drain and took a circle bit to give me something to screw the drain down to. I applied the vinyl over the top, and made small slits in it so I could install the drain and lock it tight. After the drain was installed, I stretched the vinyl tight and stapled it down which made a nice slope for water collection. After, I ripped MDF for "trim" as well as to finish off the piece. I overlapped the top trim about 1" above the top of the stand in order to support the cages and not allow them to fall off. The top trim I ripped 3" and the bottom 4" for a little fancy style.
Right now I just finished painting the doors, along with the trim a nice white. Im still deciding on the base colour, and will probably match the middle of the cabinets with that colour as well. Im also thinking of compounding the plywood and sanding it smooth for a nice finish.
I've seen so many threads asking for drainage solutions, honestly this is something I can put in my apartment that looks nice, is functional, and is also able to store all my extras. Underneath the drainage I use a large bucket for collection of drainage water. Here's some photos to help people with their own DIY
Front View
Side View
Top View (you can see how it supports the cage in the stand)
Slope of vinyl (the drain isn't secured down in this one but you can see the nice grade it has so all the water goes to the drain)
Inside the stand (how I secured the sides)
For the drain
Kitty wanted to help
Test fitting a cage that I'm also building for the baby to move into and what it should look like
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