Stack project for 2008 - Page 2

Dostovei · #11 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vase

Drill pilot holes and if using contiboard and a jigsaw get blades that cut on the downstroke.

Excellent advice, and similarly if you're doing the cuts with a hand saw then fine and use a downstroke blade but don't apply pressure against the wood on the upstroke as it can damage the blade teeth and give you a messy cut.

As for avoiding making chips when drilling, go slowly and do use pilot holes (start with a smaller drill bit and work up if need be), though to be honest a small pilot hole is normally adequate to prepare for the screw.

Maybe I am being daft and forgetful at the minute but I can't think where you would worry about drill holes chipping contiboard because there is no need to drill fully through any exposed surfaces? any pilot holes will be aligned with a joined board so hide any minor chipping?

ps. I used to buy sealant for my wooden vivs, though I found I did not need it as the screws and blocks would hold things super tightly anyway so there was nothing to seal/no need. All of mine are desert/dry setups though so maybe you have other needs.

Harrison · #12 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marinam2

This is the dude on EBAY that sells the cheap aquarium (marine grade) silicon sealant.

eBay My World - 2006gaz

Marina

Brilliant, thanks Marina!

Harrison · #13 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 02:40 AM

All desert/dry setups for me too but I'll get some sealant anyway just incase. Thanks for all the advice, I've added a lot to my notes.

fantapants · #14 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 09:36 AM

me and my OH have had a whale of a time building all of our viv stacks. i have spent extra time on the planning and measurements and even worked out the exact cuts needed by getting all of the contiboard dimensions from b&q website. then i got all of the wood in my trolley, and asked them to cut it to size. this had the added benefit of the man double checking i had measured right , and getting a superfine finnish on the cut with NO rough edges at all. and it all fitted in the car too. the only thing i would suggest is if you are getting contiboard, the finnish from the factory at the edges can be very tatty. allow an inch at each end to get it cut off and make it a much neater more proffesional job.

we used sealant at every joint aswell as lots of those corner blocks. this was for stability and durability and also to protect agains any water spillages in the vivs. we will be moving in a year or two, so i wanted a viv that was strong enough to be moved but would still retain the strength. we also put them on ultra heavy duty catsors for easy moving around. means we can clean underneath them and move them without putting any stress on the joints. it makes it loads easier cos BOY are they heavy!!

even on our first attempt, a 5 viv stack, we didnt have any major problems or glitches. just make sure you join pieces together on a level flat floor or surface. my husband and i didnt realise the rug would cause a discrepancy and the top board of one viv is a few mms out on one side, but i am still thrilled with it for a first attemp. good luck, plan well and you will have a top stack at the end of it!

Harrison · #15 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 11:40 AM

Thanks for that, makes me feel even better about it. That's good to hear B&Q can actually cut the wood for you there and then. I might do that, save a lot of time and effort really. My tools are crap.

Lotus Nut · #16 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 12:01 PM

I would suggest building the 3x2x2 separate and not in a stack as its best if all sides and tops are equal measurements, this will also give you some practice making your first viv then move onto the 4x2x2's.
As said above select a level surface for assembly and protect this and conti with several sheets of newspaper.

Harrison · #17 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus Nut

I would suggest building the 3x2x2 separate and not in a stack as its best if all sides and tops are equal measurements, this will also give you some practice making your first viv then move onto the 4x2x2's.
As said above select a level surface for assembly and protect this and conti with several sheets of newspaper.

I actually have a 3x2x2 ready so what I'm going to do is make a double stack with two 4x2x2 vivs and then attach the 3x2x2 on top. It will leave space at the side (just...) for a small exo terra or anything else that may be useful up there.

So I've just realized this will probably be easier than I thought. How hard can a double stack be? I've not done any research yet but this is how I think I'll do it after getting everything cut:

1. Get floor, ceiling and sides stuck together (nails etc)
2. Add next floor for the top viv. (like a middle shelf)
3. Add front bits (you know what I mean) for both vivs
4. Add the back
5. Cut holes for equipment and vents etc (no idea how I'm going to get a cirlce cut yet)
6. Use corner blocks in the vivs.
7. Attach runners
8. Insert glass

That's how I see it going in my head... Anything blatantly obvious I've missed?

Has anyone seen a good "How To" tutorial or guide for building vivs and stacks anywhere on the net? Might help if I see the process first.

fantapants · #18 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 12:49 PM

you can get a circular drill bit in b and q that will cut an exact round hole for your vents. take the vent with you and they will make sure you get the right one. OR get square vents from wilkinsons that open and close and drill four holes and cut a squarefrom hole to hole. loads of options!!

Lotus Nut · #19 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 12:50 PM

INfo sent..!

For cleaner holes place scrap piece of wood under where hole is to be drilled making sure its flat against wood and this should reduce splintering.

Harrison · #20 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 01:19 PM

Thanks again! Wow, I think I could build this today with all of the help I'm getting

Only other thing I can think of asking is about the width of the panels. My other vivs have wood which is about 1.8 cm thick. Now, I assume that kind of size would be fine for my stack but I thought I'd double check because of added weight. It's only a double and the heaviest stuff will be on the bottom viv so would I get away with wood that thick or would it need to be thicker? To make measurements easier, I would be getting 2 cm thick, not 1.8 cm (unless you advise me to go with thicker stuff!).

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