Could this be done?

[Ultimatee]

I'm 15, and I wan't to build my bearded dragons a vivarium upgrade. I have a monthly budget of £350 ($560)

My dad said he would help, he "said" he had experience with woodworking.

I was thinking for the dimensions I should start small. 3ftx1ftx1ft?

I could get wickes to cut up the wood, I was told I should use melamine or something.

I could use powertools, but don't have any and they cost a bit.

I'd be willing to buy anything needed. Really need help on this :S

Thanks

 

[Ultimatee]

Obviously not as thin as the picture shows though

 

[Ultimatee]

This is a picture of what I'd like it to look like, just with wire mesh on top and smaller.

 

[cajar]

First off, wickes will not guarantee their cuts to less than about 3mm if i remember right, so you'll probably need a circular saw and a straight edge (plasterers featheredge and g clamps work well as a guide).

I would use pine board, butt the joints together, glue them and screw them. Use pilot holes to avoid splitting your wood. Also, for the top, I would not have it all mesh as this will affect the strength of the vivarium, consider instead cutting a 2' x 1' panel in the top and securing the mesh from underneath. You can use a jigsaw or pad saw for this.

Varnish it a few times to help with the moisture.

Measure twice, mark out carefully, and cut once. Hope this helps.

 

[foxhole]

15? and you haven't discovered Google yet?
http://www.lovebeardies.com/information/setup/make_the_vivarium.html

 

[Ultimatee]

Thanks both for your help.

I'll start reading that link. I really do have no experience with woodwork, could this be done with help from my father?

 

[Ultimatee]

Hi, so I've got the measurements I want, I was told to say them in "mm".

Length 1219mm

Width 610mm

Hight 610mm

What is my next step from here?

I was looking at this.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/furniture-panel-white-15x600x2400mm/invt/110088/

I could settle for 10mm less.

How would I go about cutting the 2440mm in half so I have 4ft?

As for putting it all in place, should I use woodglue and drill it?

I am a total noob.

 

[gregers]

well you will need to pre drill the mdf and then glue and screw.

do you not do craft and design at school?
reason i ask is,perhaps you could ask your teacher if you could do this as a project?.

 

[Ultimatee]

well you will need to pre drill the mdf and then glue and screw.

do you not do craft and design at school?
reason i ask is,perhaps you could ask your teacher if you could do this as a project?.

I chose Design Technology for my GSCE, but have been getting taught at home recently. I could go back into school any time, I'm really interested in this kinda stuff, just know nothing about it. And yeah, I'l defo ask about doing it as a project!

 

[gregers]

thats good then,you will have all the tooling needed there,and on the spot advice etc.and hopefully gain a decent mark towards your gcse.

 

[cajar]

Mdf will swell with the moisture your beasties need

 

[Ultimatee]

Mdf will swell with the moisture your beasties need

I give them daily baths and salad for there hydration.