Thinking about putting a cage on a table and a cage underneath it

[morgothaod]

I'm making 2 2x5 grid cages and I want to save some space. Would it be safe if I put one cage under a table and one on top of it? I was thinking about buying this aluminum folding table.


71" x 31-1/2" x 15-1/4"-27-1/2" (12-1/4" leg extensions)

"Easily transport an entire 6 ft. table to your campsite with this amazingly sturdy and compact Aluminum Folding Table."

My only issue besides the fear of having it collapse is its length. The grids have a length of 72" so the plastic connectors on the end will hang off the table.

[Sirene]

Will the cage fit under the table? It looks as though that crossbar on the center leg might be in the way, height-wise.

I'm not sure about the sturdiness of it - as you say, theoretically it could collapse, as it's made to fold. It might be safer to get a wooden workbench or look for something non-collapsible on Craigslist...

[lissie]

You can remove all the connectors and use only zip ties. Also make a base with grids and zip tie to the grids on the side. So the grids won't shift around and fall off the table.

I'm not sure about the collapsing, can you get a table that doesn't fold?

[morgothaod]

I believe the cage will fit underneath the beams on the legs. What I really need is something like this.

30" - FSEQ INTERNATIONAL - Reviews of Products sold by USA Equipment Direct - Economy Stainless Steel Open Base Work Table 30x96

[lissie]

On another thought, if you're going to spend money on the table, how about buying another box of grids and stack the cage like this?
New cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[morgothaod]

On another thought, if you're going to spend money on the table, how about buying another box of grids and stack the cage like this?
New cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Thanks for the idea. I didn't think that would be sturdy enough. This table looks better than the first one. They say its 30" wide but I wonder what the distance is between the legs.

Global Offers A Wide Variety Of Activity Tables, Round Table, Conference Table, School Furniture, Kids Activity Table And Adjustable Height Table.

What I may have to do is reduce the width of the cage on the bottom by using zip ties.

[morgothaod]

Slightly bigger, 72" x 32" x 28" High, Amazon.com: 4 - fold Deluxe Table: Sports & Outdoors

It folds 4 times though and got 1 good and 1 bad review.

[lissie]

I wouldn't trust folding tables. Many people have built stacked cages from grids. It would be more sturdy than a folding table.
You can support the cage upper level floor with wood.

Edit to add: here's a sample of wood support.
Lighting and reinforcement - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[morgothaod]

Do you think just grids and cable ties can hold the top cage?

[Sirene]

If the bottom cage has a lid, it should support it. As Lissie says, though, people often use broomsticks/dowels/steel curtain rods zip tied through the length of the cages to support multiple levels. Search the galleries for "stacked cages", and you will find loads of examples.

I think the risk of a folding table collapsing is too great. The results of that kind of weight landing on a guinea pig don't bear thinking about...

[morgothaod]

What is cheapest option for having 2 6' bars? I'm guessing all I need to do is zip tie them underneath the grid base of the top cage?

[pigsforlife]

In an old design I had a table with the guinea pig cages on top. The table did fold, but was very sturdy and made from strong plastic (I dont think aluminimum would be as strong) with metal legs. There was no way it was going to collapse. Then I got buns, so I wrapped grids around the outside of the table, and made a corflute pan. The table actually sat inside the pan. It worked quite well.

[Sirene]

What is cheapest option for having 2 6' bars? I'm guessing all I need to do is zip tie them underneath the grid base of the top cage?

Maybe just dowelling? Available from Home Depot in pretty sturdy widths - we just bought some to strengthen a removable lid for our cage.

Edit: check out this cage: Our first C&C cage! - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
She says she used 10' 3/4" PVC pipes for support.

[morgothaod]

I think this will be the plan:

Buy more grids to build a cage like this. This yellow is where I'll be adding grids:



I will also buy 4 69" pvc pipe and use it to support the top cage. I don't want the pvc pipe to be 6 feet because I want to make sure I have room for the grids on the sides

[Shauna&Kerri]

I will also buy 4 69" pvc pipe and use it to support the top cage. I don't want the pvc pipe to be 6 feet because I want to make sure I have room for the grids on the sides

The pvc pipe needs to be at least a few inches longer than the length of the cage, so the pipe can fit into the holes of the grids on the ends of the cage. So if your cage is 6 feet, the pipes should be longer than that, not shorter.

[morgothaod]

Thanks, I went ahead and got the pipes and made them longer.