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Single or Double: I constructed cages using 2 foot wide GREEN vinyl coated METAL hardware cloth and 3 foot wide BLACK plastic hardware cloth. The dimensions and construction is different for the BLACK plastic hardware cloth because it is wider. Change the side/ends layout to the same length pipe as the vertical left front. You need 2 rolls of 3' x 15 ' of black hardware cloth and 4 more tees and 2 more 28 inch pieces of pipe for the side/ends. The materials list for cages with doors on front and back for arrangement flexibility. MATERIALS FOR GREEN COATED METAL HARDWARE CLOTH CAGE exterior dimensions 34.5 x 50.5 x 75 in. plus optional base You will need: 22 3/4 " PVC pipe 10' long - sec. 40 pipe PVC fittings: 50 3/4 " T tee 4 3/4 " + cross 28 3/4" L elbows 4 3/4 " 45 degree 4 3/4 " coupler 1 1/2" AC or BC exterior plywood cut into 3 equal pieces 32" x 48" 6 rolls 24" x 8 ' per roll - Green coated metal hardware cloth 20 1 3/8" Kennel clamps 1 4'x8' sheet Plas-tex cut into 3 equal pieces like the plywood. It is available at Menards, Lowes, Home Depot. If you are making a platform you will need another piece to use on the platform. 4 1 1/2" to 2" hook and eyes closures or Kennel latch: (see notes below) plastic 8 inch ties Primer Paint Optional base: 1 1/2" AC or BC exterior plywood 32" x 48" mount onto of board frame - screw from bottom through wood frame. 1 x 4 pine boards 2 @36" and 2@52" rabbit corner joints and glue 4 2 inch swivel casters screws wood glue 4 3/4" dowel cut into 1" pieces placed in the corners to receive PVC tee |
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CAGES |
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Cage can sit on the floor or on a platform. The platform makes it easier to move for cleaning. |
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INSTRUCTIONS Here is a diagram of the cage as I constructed it. You may want to make changes to fit your needs. |
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Side panels PVC pipe and fittings from top to bottom: LT 17.5 TT 19.75 LT 17.5 17.5 4.75 coupled 12.25 TT 17.5 TT T and 45 degree 16 16 16 TT 17.5 T+ 19.75 T 17.5 17.5 4.75 coupled 12.25 TT 17.5 TT T and 45 degree 16 16 16 T 23.5 + 22.75 T |
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You can see the couplers for the doors and the 45 degree fitting used to recess the support for the end. The side panel has to fit back into this space. |
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Assembly of the fittings: Connect fittings with 1.75" pieces of PVC pipe. 10 units of TT with one T at 90 degrees 2 units T+ ( see photo) 4 units T and 45 degree 4 units LT for top corners Like the top picture but an elbow not a tee 2 TT connected the long way on the tee with one rotated 90 degrees |
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HINT: lubricate fittings and pipe ends with PETROLEUM JELLY. It makes it easier to rotate fittings and to disassemble panels. |
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Side/End panels top to bottom: L 28 L 22.75 22.75 T 28 T 10.75 10.75 T 28 T (at base of top cage) 10.75 10.75 T 28 T 22.75 22.75 T 28 T |
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Door panels: L 19.5 L 31.375 31.375 L 19.5 L |
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Top: L 32 L 22.75 22.75 T 32 T 22.75 22.75 L 32 L |
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PVC pipe quantify and lengths: You may need additional pipe depending on how the pieces are cut. 12 16" uprights lower sections side panels 16 17.5" uprights upper sections and horizontal sections between TT 2 23.5" bottom not door section 18 22.75" bottom door section and uprights for ends 4 12.25" door hinge side coupled with next piece 4 4.75" upper door hinge 4 19.75" horizontal above door 2 28.25" panel connector connects 45 degree fittings 13 32" main connectors for the two side panels 8 31.375" door 8 19.5" door 8 28" horizontals for the ends |
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GREEN vinyl coated metal hardware cloth - 24" x 96" roll 2 rolls: 2 doors and end piece out of each roll 2 rolls: 2 ends pieces and top piece out of each roll 2 rolls: top to bottom stationary panel (72") - one out of each roll I put the cloth on the inside of the panels so the cage is easier to clean. Use plastic ties to fasten to the PVC frame. |
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NOTES: KENNEL CLAMPS: Use to make door hinges and to fasten end and side panels. KENNEL LATCH: Since finishing the cages, I have found a supplier for a latch. It will fit on the "T" on the front panel. You may have to adjust the length of the door top and bottom pieces for the space necessary to easily operate the latch. I also recommend using PVC adhesive on the door joints to keep the door from pivoting. SHELVES: I cut a curved shape in the shelves so the doors could swing inwards also. If access was wanted from the other side, the shelves could be turned over. This page is intended to help you get started. You can vary the size to fit your needs because the PVC pipe and fittings are easy to combine. HAVE FUN….. If you have any questions, CLICK HERE . |
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NOTE: If using 36 inch hardware cloth change side/end panels from top to bottom to: L, 17.5, T, 16, T,17.5, T, 16, T |
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SAHJA - Sally Gaetjens - Loves Park, Illinois 815-877-8358 |
