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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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Single or Double depending on the holes cut in shelves: 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. For 24 inch cloth, you will need to wire the end cloths together or use more rolls. 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: 60 3/4 “ T tee 4 3/4 “ + cross 20 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” (See NOTE below) 6 rolls 24” x 8 ‘ per roll – Green coated metal hardware cloth 16 1 3/8” Kennel clamps for doors on one side…..need 4 more if doors are on both sides 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 a Kennel latch for each door. (see notes below) plastic 8 inch ties Primer Paint PVC pipe cleaner and adhesive: I recommend using PVC adhesive on the elbow fittings on the top and bottom horizontal door pieces which will keep the door from racking. Do not need to glue the vertical door pieces.
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 or larger swivel casters screws NOTE: I have also used 3/8 strand board with a plastic pebble finish on one side for the shelves and bottom. The back and edges need to be primed and painted to seal to prevent warping. It was less expensive than the Plas-tex and plywood. |
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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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PVC pipe quantify and lengths: You may need additional pipe depending on how the pieces are cut. 20 16” uprights lower sections and end side panels 26 17.5” uprights upper sections and horizontal sections between TT 8 23.5” bottom and top 4 12.25” door hinge side coupled with next piece ** 4 5.25” upper door hinge** 4 20.5” horizontal above door 2 28.25” panel connector connects 45 degree fittings 13 32” main connectors for the two large panels 8 31.375” door (need 4 if door only on one side of cage) 8 19.5” door (need 4 if door only on one side of cage) 10 28” horizontals for the ends Using short left over pieces cut 1.75 inch pieces for fittings connections * *if door on only one side, can use 2 -17.5 pieces which eliminates 4 couplers |
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Assembly of the fittings: Connect fittings with 1.75” pieces of PVC pipe.
14 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 for top of frame. |
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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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LAY OUT FOR PANELS
Side panels PVC pipe and fittings from top to bottom: LT 17.5 TT 20.5 LT 17.5 17.5 5.25 coupled 12.25 TT 17.5 TT T and 45 degree 16 16 16 TT 17.5 T+ 20.5 TT 17.5 17.5 5.25 coupled 12.25 TT 17.5 TT T and 45 degree 16 16 16 T 23.5 + 23.5 T |
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HINT: If you plan to take the cage apart, lubricate fittings and pipe ends with PETROLEUM JELLY. It also makes it easier to rotate the fittings.
Recommend using PVC adhesive on the door fittings and pipe. Dry fit the door and latch before gluing. Make adjustments if necessary. |
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Side/End panels top to bottom: L 28 L 17.5 17.5 T 28 T 16 16 T 28 T (at base of top cage) 17.5 17.5 T 28 T 16 16 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 23.5 23.5 T 32 T 23.5 23.5 L 32 L |
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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.
You will have to fastened the end pieces together or purchase more roll. I used the coated wire that was wrapped around the hardware cloth to weave the pieces together. Use plastic ties to fasten cloth to the PVC frame. |
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NOTES: CLAMPS: Use panel clamps 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 WILL have to adjust the length of the door top and bottom pieces (about 3/4 inch) for the space necessary to easily operate the latch. I recommend using PVC adhesive on the elbow fittings on the top and bottom horizontal door pieces. You do not need to glue the vertical pieces for the doors.
HARWARE CLOTH: I purchased 3/8 inch vinyl/PVC coated cloth from Menards. Two ONLINE sources for 1 x 1 inch PVC coated wire. Source for black plastic 3/8 inch mesh online.
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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It is not difficult to make these PVC pipe cages. You can adapt the construction principles to any size and shape to fit your space and needs. If you have any questions, contact me. |
