Wicked's Cage

[wickedrodent]

I was going to add all this in my photo thread but that really isn't about the cage.. just about pigtures. Im going to be updating to this thread as I make the new cage. Its going to be about a 2.5 x 5 (hopefully closer to a 3x5 depending on how far I can go without having no room left to walk in my room.)

Im going to get the stand building materials tomorrow. I am actually buying a lifetime table (30in x 72in and 36in tall) and drilling holes in the bottom legs to make a base to put wheels.

The cage itself will be a wood frame with a groove cut out for the grids to rest in them instead of hanging loosly. The bottom will be just coroplast (fleece and towels as bedding). The main level will actually be a second level. The 1st (actually on the table top) will be storage (2.5 x 3) and a 2.5 x 2 (approx.) basement/hayroom/litterbox. On top will be the runaround area + kitchen + bedroom with all the toys and everything.

I might also add a small third level that looks like a castle. My whole cage will be a medevil theme. The basment is the dugeons, the main level is the courtyard, the bedroom on the main level will be the castle (planning on bulding a castle hideyhouse after everything else is finished). I will also have pictures on the wall behind it of them looking like they are by a castle and a plush dragon toy for them to snuggle with. I might even get some castle decor for my room so it can match.

This cage will house Dudley (neutered male), Daphne and Delilah.

I will be sure to take pictures as I do all the steps for everyone to see.

 

[i-love-nev]

Can't wait for the pics! yay!

 

[wickedrodent]

I got the table and the casters, woohoo. $60 later... I still don't have a completed stand.. yet.. I couldn't get the wood that we wanted because they only have 8ft pieces that wouldn't fit in the car we came it and my grandfather refuses to let anyone else cut 'his' wood. Plus I am pretty much out of money for the time being. We cannot get started on the cage part until the stand is done. I just need a 2x4x8 and then will get started on the how-to photo shoot for that part..

So.. we will make another trip to the store soon. Probably on the 1st (when I get paid) unless of course my grandfather is feeling generous enough to do some wood shopping for me, lol. He will be doing all the cutting with the power tools, I would be likely to cut my hand off. Im doing all the designing and assistant wood work.

I will keep everyone updated as I progress.. I can't wait to get started... I will hopefully get the stand started earlier than the 1st.. a 1x2 is only like.. $3. Maybe Sunday..

 

[i-love-nev]

Aww hope you get the stand soon, sweet talk your grandfather hehehe!

 

[wickedrodent]

No wood yet, but I think I got paid early! Although, I am not 100% sure. At least I know how much I WILL have once I get it. More than enough for the materials, woohoo.

So.. I am going to the bank tomorrow to see what is up and maybe withdraw some money. I love when I get to do that, heh. If I can I am going to see if I can bribe my grandfather into using the van to go and get the wood. I want to start building this weekend. If nothing else I want to get the stand finished this weekend..

Dudley will be introduced to the girls the weekend after this one (Probably on the 10th) but ONLY if the cage is ready.. I want as big as a cage as possible so there is the least chance of fighting..

My grandpas idea for the cage is different than mine so I am not sure exactly how it is going to be. I was thinking of just doing a wood frame and having 2 levels.. Bottom- 1/2 storage and 1/2 basement (hay/potty area) Then of course the main level.. His way is probably better.. but its hard to imagine..

My makeshift picture didn't work.

That was my vision.. With 2 sides open on the basement and none open on the storage, but with 2 doors. My grandfather wants it all to be open and have grids all around. He also wants there to be a piece of plywood (in addition to coro) on the bottom of both levels. Its going to be pricey..

 

[wickedrodent]

We finally have all the materials!

(2) 4' x 8' pieces of plywood
(3) 1" x 10" x 8' pieces of wood for the bottom level (storage section)
(3) Plastic fencing covers to use as a grid stablizer for top level
(4) 1" x 6" x 8' for the top level border
(1) Pack of finishing nails
(1) Pack of screws (can't remember the exact type)

Um, I think that is it. I wanted to get started YESTERDAY.. but we only just got the stuff today and have not even begun. I cannot use the power tools on my own (for fear of cutting off limbs), so I have to wait until gramps will stop and help. Not likely to happen tonight, unfortunatly.

 

[wickedrodent]

We still have not started but I did go ahead and outline the wood and take some pictures of all the materials. Im not going to post any of them until I have it finished so that I can have one big 'how-to' with explanations.

I would go ahead and do the cage myself but dang, plywood is heavy. Plus I don't want the pigs to live in a blood stained cage, which is what would happen if I tried to use a table saw.

So.. Hopefully we can get something done today.. Bad thing is that I have to work. Unless gramps will take pictures as he does some of the stuff, the cage will have to wait until next weekend. That would really suck because everyone is supposed to be introduced on Friday, the day after the girls birthday.

 

[wickedrodent]

Almost done! Cage is near finished.. Just need to add grids and coro. Then I still have the stand to complete.. Needs the wheels added..

This is going to be long, so please don't post until Im finished.. I will say when Im finished. Thanks!

We started out my measuring and marking the first piece of plywood to how big we wanted it:

Then we proped it up and my grandfather cut it using a power saw:

Next we measured and cut pieces to make the sides of the bottom:

 

[wickedrodent]

Ending up with this:

To keep it square we added a support for the open side:

Nailed in into place:

 

[wickedrodent]

Also nailing the plywood onto and ending with this:

We measured again to make a 36in x 72in box, cut and nailed to create this:

Cut another piece of plywood..

Used wood glue to make it really sturdy:

Put the plywood on top and let the glue dry:

 

[wickedrodent]

Nailed it into place:

Put it on top of the bottom and screwed the 2 large pieces together..

Then we took fencing tops.. Measured and cut them to size:

Screwed them in place:

 

[wickedrodent]

All around the cage:

Next we took this tool:

And cut a hole in the cage (7in x 8in)

Cut a ramp to size:

 

[wickedrodent]

Checked to make sure it fit:

Added hooks:

Drilled holes for them to fit into:

It worked:

That concludes the end of the pictures until I get coro (tonight)

 

[wickedrodent]

Alright... got coro! Green!

Then for both legs we drilled holes, put the legs though, and screwed them.. Also adding casters..

Mostly completed cage at that stage (for Ash).

 

[wickedrodent]

How it will look with grids:

Putting in Coro:

Thats it for now, its currently in my room.. without grids and bedding.. Intros are currently taking place and bedding is washing.

 

[wickedrodent]

How it will look with grids:

Putting in Coro:

Thats it for now, its currently in my room.. without grids and bedding.. Intros are currently taking place and bedding is washing.

 

[Jenni_Feathers]

Awesome! How did the intros go?

 

[tamnjo]

anymore pics?

 

[wickedrodent]

A few..

In my room..

Front:

Back:

Right top side with Fleece and underneath storage:

Ramp:

Left side bottom hayroom: