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Shannonmcn · 06-06-2019, 01:58 AM

Melamine is a very popular choice for DIY cages, I think it is largely considered safe though there is some concern about the glue used to hold the chipboard together being toxic if chewed. That is going to be the same for any processed wood material though so your only alternative to that is solid wood (Eeeeexpensive and maybe hard to find in panels).

I am using IKEA Linnmon tables myself atm which are melamine covered but are a combination of cardboard and chipboard. They are like $9 each in the US I think and you can get a great 100x50mm cage out of 3 them and a glass/ perspex panel.

If you don't use melamine you can use contact paper to cover the surfaces to get a very similar result. Or you can use a sealant so long as it is low VOC, and safe for use on toys for human children (toy-safe/ child safe etc). The go-to in the UK is the paint-on Plastikote. Generally the spray on versions aren't recommended because of the extra aerosol nonsense they have to add to make it sprayable.

06-06-2019, 01:58 AM
Shannonmcn PM Fluffy for custom title Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland Posts: 3,192	Re: Cage? Melamine is a very popular choice for DIY cages, I think it is largely considered safe though there is some concern about the glue used to hold the chipboard together being toxic if chewed. That is going to be the same for any processed wood material though so your only alternative to that is solid wood (Eeeeexpensive and maybe hard to find in panels). I am using IKEA Linnmon tables myself atm which are melamine covered but are a combination of cardboard and chipboard. They are like $9 each in the US I think and you can get a great 100x50mm cage out of 3 them and a glass/ perspex panel. If you don't use melamine you can use contact paper to cover the surfaces to get a very similar result. Or you can use a sealant so long as it is low VOC, and safe for use on toys for human children (toy-safe/ child safe etc). The go-to in the UK is the paint-on Plastikote. Generally the spray on versions aren't recommended because of the extra aerosol nonsense they have to add to make it sprayable.