Wanting to make a bin cage-completely clueless

[September]

I've decided to move Turtle (and the mice) to bin cages, after seeing that they can be decorative too (much thanks gutterglitterxx!). However, after utterly destroying three bins, I've come to the conclusion that I can't do this without some guidance (have I mentioned failing arts&crafts? xD) So can someone give me some tips/hints/tricks, please? :)

[kyrilliondaemon]

Sawing the plastic worked way better than cutting it with a knife did for us. Does that potentially help at all?

[September]

Yes, that could potentially prove very very helpful lol. However I'm having more trouble with the meshing part :/

[kyrilliondaemon]

How are you struggling? We just stab holes, hold mesh against bin, stick cable ties through.

[September]

The hole stabbing, I guess? I don't know, but whenever I try tieing the mesh on, it messes up, and I can't figure it out.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Ah ok. Er... We just pierce two holes, put the mesh against them and cable tie it on - making sure the cable tie goes over the mesh while we attatch it.
Then we repeat with all the other spaces :)

Piercing holes can be done with loads of stuff, we use leather-punch things on penknives but scissors would work fine too :)

[September]

Hmm... Think a hole punch would do the trick?

[kyrilliondaemon]

Er... Probably not unless its quite thin plastic. I'd never be strong enough to use one for a bin cage lol

[September]

Ah. Scissors it is then :)

[kyrilliondaemon]

Ok, good luck with them :)

[September]

Thanks! I'll let you know how my fourth attempt goes... After I buy three more bins lol

[HorseyMandz]

Hold the blade to something hot- a candle, gas hob, e.c.t and then use it to cut the plastic until you start having to saw again ;)
When you have to start having to saw again, repeat.
Plastic gives off dangerous fumes when melting so do the actual cutting outside, or in a very well ventilated room (all windows and doors open) away from any animals :)

[Knotty]

We heated up a kitchen blade on the hob (very carefully) and then put it to the plastic and it melts the holes:) It is very stinky so make sure it's in a well ventilated area. Sawing really didn't work for us :/

[kyrilliondaemon]

Just to be clear, when I say sawing I do mean with a small saw.

[Knotty]

Yeah we had a little saw (no idea what they're called) but we found it too fiddly :lol:

[samzyzg]

I think i'm lucky that we had a saw + a drill xD
Also used bolts + washers to keep the mesh on.

[gutterglitterxx]

Thanks for the mention! ;)

I echo the others.... I used a hot knife. Held it in the flame of a candle for a few seconds then stabbed the plastic. Took some patience but worked pretty well. Good luck!

[bogart]

We made bin cages over the weekend for our dwarf hamsters. We just duct taped the mesh onto the outside of the bin. It holds up really well and didn't require a lot of work. They love the cages. I'll try to take some pictures later even though the bins aren't very pretty.

[Hamtastic]

Here is what I did:

http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/attachments/cage-reviews/3776d1303885797-sterilite-26-1-2-gallon-latch-box-plastic-bin-cage-meshing-sterilite-bin.jpg

Cut mesh to size for the opening. Get the smallest zip ties you can find. Punch some holes in the cover, around the opening (using a heated tool helps). Stretch the mesh with zip ties. Don't cut the ends off the ties until you have finished stretching and adjusting the mesh (and don't over-tie right away - leave some room for adjustment when the whole mesh is attached).

[September]

Thanks! I'm excited to try it again :D Just need to get 38 more dollars

[bogart]

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q23/bogart_14/2012-08-25232213.jpg

This is what the bin cages my roommate and I made look like. Took a knife to both sides of the storage bin and the lid. Cut the mesh out and duct taped it on. Seems to be working really well.

[September]

Thanks! Loving the pics and tips. I got one more bin, but it isn't clear. I think I'll go ahead and make it, and then keep it as a spare when I get my clear ones :) Like for when I get the pair of dwarves, in case they fight.