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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
 Posted - 04/05/2011 : 22:27:03
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MY HEAD HURTS!
been drawing up the plans and dimensions, for the three viv stack, first problem I hit, I measured up where it was going and the size each viv was needing to be in feet and inches, then had to convert to millimetres, then had to round off millimeters to make my board orders easier to cut. Then I decided it would work better and be more stable and less liable to bowing if it was the other way up. So the frame and backing is done, going to build that stage first, the glass will be ordered from my brotehr in law to be, he owns a glass manufacturing company so result (cough free cough cough).
So a sneaky peak, of the neat version and by neat I mean not totally chicken scratchings so I could visualise the layout while calculating the dimensions of individual pieces.
Watch this space to see this 6 foot wide 5 foot tall, 2 foot deep piece of furniture jump off the page and become a part of the living room. |
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Edited by - Lotabob on 04/05/2011 22:30:00 |
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 22:56:08
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Wow, looks coooool!
You're very lucky to have er, connections re the glass; seems to be the most expensive and fiddly thing when it comes to vivs; the wood, while not cheap exactly, is easily zapped together once cut to size (well, my experience after 7 flatpacks) but the glass ...
Glass is a pane! 
After eternally wiggling tracking lower so that it would support the glass (even though the glass initially refused to go in) and then having to rewiggle the stuff after it conspired with the glass the minute I turned my back ... also sweating miserably with terror for fear the glass would break ...I was shattered! ...happy days lol.
No, honestly, only kidding, there's an incredible sense of achievement even with flatpack viv building; building your own from scratch, well, what can I say? Brilliant!
Waiting with bated breath for the next thrilling instalment! |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2011 : 23:04:12
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| I am so jealous. I have 2 x 4 foot vivs, but would kill my ex wife for a hand built stack like that, if only I had the room in this house lol. I can feel a conservatory coming on :) |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2011 : 21:45:45
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Woo hoo! Go for it, you will get a great sense of satisfaction i can assure you of that! The plans look good, cant wait to see it all come together! What are you planning to use? I used MDF and had B&Q do the cutting for free....bonus! thought they would cock up but they didnt...poor young lad looked scared to death of me when i waved my drawings at him!!!
Good luck!
By the way, if you use mdf, water based floor varnish is perfect to seal the inside...no fumes and very durable. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2011 : 22:27:39
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I've my eye on 18mm MDF for the frame and 9mm for the backing. I have 24 individual pieces that will make the whole thing. I was wondering about sealing it and inspired by you (Sandi) its going to be white. The only probelm I have is I drive a mini, no way on earth are any of the pieces going to fit in there so will have to get it cut and delivered. Not too fussed about the cost, its going to be one of a kind and will do my 3 for the rest of their life providing (I hope, if they grow too much I may have a chop a bit off).
It will have 2, 3 foot vivariums for the corn snake and the royal and a 6 footer for the Boa, been 2 feet deep though this will be plenty for them all. Oh and a dividing shelf to keep heat transfer down and somewhere to put some bits and bobs/junk. |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2011 : 22:38:47
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Sounds good, i used 18mm mdf throughout. The thicker the better for insulation and strength. The varnish for sealing inside was dulux diamond glaze and outside i used an acrylic primer/undercoat followed by acrylic eggshell top coat. I used a water based paint system because it stretches with heat expansion rather than cracking, which oil based finishes can do. I used to to do this for a living so...!
Sounds like youve got it all planned and sorted, you just need a better set of wheels!!!....A mini....you drive a f****** mini???? {runs off giggling}! |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2011 : 22:48:34
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My poor Mini. I won it on a Kit Kat! Its a great little car. What do you drive?
I could always switch the back to 18mm too, in fact I will, just like that. Thanks for the painting tips too, i'll bombard you with questions when i get to that bit though. |
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2011 : 16:25:38
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Lol - nothing wrong with a mini - the only wheels I've got are a shopping trolley ... |
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markmifsud
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
534 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2011 : 17:05:12
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| I went to Duxford at the weekend, as it was classic and sports car day. our car club goes to most of these events, anyway, the mini section had an old style mini, but it had the center section cut out, so the whole car was just big enough for the front seats, it was quite amusing to look at :) |
1.1.0 Pastal Ball
1.0.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
0.1.0 Normal Ball aged 7(ish)
Bromley. SE London |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2011 : 17:16:28
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I do like minis as it happens! I drive a suzuki jeep but i took the back seats out to make room for the dogs. I like to tell people i have a 2 seater soft top 'cos in a way its true!!! We also have an estate car which was perfect for getting my mdf in.
Maybe you could borrow a van?
No problem on the brain picking, whats left of it! |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 19:54:04
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OK I've spent a little bit of time creating a to-scale computer generated simulated 2d experience, or as I HATE computers I'll call it a doodle on paint
I've settled the dimensions and had to use the pixel count to ensure everything fits as it should, it did and I'm happy. Anyway this is it;
The grey pieces are pieces that your looking at the front, all the other pieces are side on. The section in the middle is NOT (oh please make sure I dont do this) for RUB's they are shelves that are most likely going to be LED lit displaying some of my junk in a pretty way.
The top viv is 6 foot wide by almost 2 feet, the bottom 2 are 3 foot by almost 2. I'm working on the electrics that will hopefully all be concealed in a little door at the side, its going to be fixed at the back to the wall so i'm also working on a ventillation layout that will work too. Oh this is too much fun. |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 21:14:18
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I'm lovin it!
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0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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MrsA82
Yearling
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 21:19:35
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| That looks like it will be one cool stack you will have there bob |
  
2.4.0 Royal python
0.0.2 Cornsnake
1.1.0 Extreme red Albino Hognose
2.2.1 Crested Gecko
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 21:39:42
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looks good
one thing i will say about getting b&q to cut your sheet material is make sure you tell them to squre the edges of the sheet up b4 they cut it to size (they didn't do this for me when i had some bits cut and it wasn't square so i refused to take it and got them to do it again) this might not apply to all their stores but better safe than sorry |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 21:54:39
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| I'll be going there with a list on every piece and its dimensions, I'll be sure to double check they square it. I'm wondering, will they work out the best way to get the most out of each board or will that be a job for me. |
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 21:56:56
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no that will be your job, im not a big fan of the staff in b&q lol
you will need to allow for the saw cut too, if its the same thickness blade as our dimension saw at work it will be 3mm
and if it helps a board of mdf measures 1220mm wide x 2440 high |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
Edited by - blackskull on 08/05/2011 22:05:02 |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2011 : 22:19:07
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| Oh I have that board measurement but thanks for the info. I will go down and talk to the board cutting departement and show them whats what etc and see about getting it delivered, a friend is moving house in a few weeks so it might be cheaper if I volunteer my services as a driver and between us hire a transit. In fact I like that idea, I've never driven a van before. |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2011 : 19:38:42
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You defo have to draw up the board cutting plans, i had a sheet with an 8 x 4 sheet drawn on it with all of my panels marked out. I then gave the poor bloke strict instructions on every cut, even had to tell him which cut to make first etc...!
The kerf of cut seemed a lot less than i thought, worked out at 1.5mm but when i went back with more cutting the kerf was 3mm so you need to allow for 3mm i reckon. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2011 : 19:41:43
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| OK cheers, will have a play and try work out the best way to do it. Not looking forward to any bit where I pass my plans to someone else, I'm one of those people that lives by 'if you want it done right, do it yourself'. |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 20:38:21
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| WOOO! I have finally got the cut diagrams done for the nice man at B&Q, whittled it down to 4 sheets of MDF which is great, I thought it would be 5. I'm going to go visit him tomorrow and just check that he likes and can follow the diagrams (I'm not an engineer, they are basic) then I will buy the wood and get it cut next week. Exciting. |
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blackskull
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1278 Posts |
Posted - 18/05/2011 : 21:44:49
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i bet you can't wait
i don't know how you could let someone cut it for you, i would be doing my nut and trying to get to the saw and do it myself lol |
1.1 normal royal, sully, silver
0.1 pinstripe royal, penny
1.1 pastel royal, lars, clover
0.1 lesser royal, serenity
0.1 black pastel royal, betty
0.1 mojave royal, mavis
0.1 normal het clown
1.0 pastel het clown
1.0 nuclear, ned
1.0 super phantom
1.0 childrens python, myles
0.1 hog island boa
0.1 sonoran x boa, grace
0.0.1 mack snow leopard gecko, munchkin
4.1 cats, stan, dave, marble, binx, daisy
4.1 rabbits, mol, ted, bill, spud, alice
0.1 crazy cat/bunny lady of bridgwater, lucy |
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Superdooper vivstack plans drawn
