DIY - IKEA Expedit (photoheavy)

[JonasB]

After sneaking around in this part of the forum for a while, I got inspired by all of you creative people and decided to build a new home for my hamster. I don`t remember the name of person, but I was stunned by the Expedit-setup, and found out that I want to try to make something similar myself. The project started with a trip to the nearest IKEA to buy a shelf and some lights.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0017_zps4cf600bc.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0017_zps4cf600bc.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0021_zps3206880d.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0021_zps3206880d.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0023_zpsa6dc631c.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0023_zpsa6dc631c.jpg.html)
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0025_zps8dc16ff4.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0025_zps8dc16ff4.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0026_zpsb78ac791.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0026_zpsb78ac791.jpg.html)
This is as far as I have come at the moment. What`s left is the glass and some small stuff as setting up the bottle etc. I got the glass from my work yesterday, so everything is ready, so I hope I can finish this project in a couple of weeks, but I`m going to become a father for the first time anytime now, so hamster is not the first priority right now;) I will update this thread as soon as I have made some progress!

[Bailey]

Congrats on fatherhood! Being a dad is the best thing ever! Please keep us posted on your work. I'd love to create a similar setup someday.

[TraceyH]

That looks great. I can't wait to see it when it's completed with your hammy in it.

[Hamtastic]

Great progress! Sounds like perhaps you had a look at my red Expedit set up? (http://www.flickr.com/photos/space_is_a_lonely_town/6841789061/in/set-72157629350883643/) :)

[JonasB]

Hamtastic: Yes! That`s the set up i was talking about. It`s beautiful.
I have made some progress on my own Expedit now. Fixed the glass today, so I`m almost done now. Used Aquastabil silicone to fasten the glass, so I need to cut away some to make it looks nice and clean. I have also ordered a new wheel and some small stuff on internet, so I hope I can finish this project next week :)
And some more pictures^^
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0032_zps3a61bc22.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0032_zps3a61bc22.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0092_zps9083ff32.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0092_zps9083ff32.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0093_zpsd0140145.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0093_zpsd0140145.jpg.html)

[Cricetinae]

Excellent work, think I'll be sticking to bin cages, not quite so DIY orientated as yourself!

[Vectis Hamstery]

Very smart. I look forward to seeing the completed result. Do Expedits really need to be fixed to the wall? I'm looking for some to use as shelves (not cages!) but was concerned they may be too flimsy as the ikea website says they should be attached to a wall. They've looked reasonably sturdy in all the cage pics I've seen though :)

[JonasB]

They are quite sturdy. I have two Expedits at home, and have not attached them, ever :D

[JonasB]

I just finished my project! I`m quite pleased, and the shelf turned out to be pretty much as I expected:) Here are the final pictures! Can`t wait to put Edamame in his new home, but I have to wait, since he`s sleeping in the old setup now^^ Gonna post another picture in his own thread when he wake up and start to explore.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0096_zpsd9700b9d.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0096_zpsd9700b9d.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0097_zps13dd1cc5.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0097_zps13dd1cc5.jpg.html)http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w582/manji8d/th_SAM_0098_zps9d0a0f98.jpg (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/manji8d/media/SAM_0098_zps9d0a0f98.jpg.html)

[_nod]

Do Expedits really need to be fixed to the wall?

A lot of the ikea furniture instructions suggest that the item should be attached to the wall, I think it's to avoid any liability if somebody manages to pull it over and hurt themselves.

[_nod]

JonasB, it looks amazing! You did a really great job of them!

[Tutu]

This is super cool! Lucky lucky edamame :)
If it is ok can I ask internal floor space measurement ? My Gertrude has ikea conversion and I'm always looking for better and bigger possibilities:)

[JonasB]

The floor is 104cm X 40cm (use cm in Norway, not sure how many inches), and two floors :)

[DrKMcK]

The photos are fantastic, I love the hammy with the drop in its mouth. And the baby is beautiful :D

[Tutu]

The floor is 104cm X 40cm (use cm in Norway, not sure how many inches), and two floors :)

Oh here we use inches in general however all ikea stuff is measured by cm:)
Gertrude's habitat is 90x40cm and 2 floors as well.
I know it isn't nearly as good looking as Edamame's :(
But hey it is liveable and here it is :)
http://i1313.photobucket.com/albums/t546/norjmaa/th_38c4332620574fac4cf0b5b27a5d77b0_zps8f262a3c.jp g (http://s1313.photobucket.com/albums/t546/norjmaa/?action=view&current=38c4332620574fac4cf0b5b27a5d77b0_zps8f262a 3c.jpg)

[DrKMcK]

It's more than livable Tutu :-) It's really nice. If I didn't already have a big enough setup for Patches, I'd make one of those.

[Tutu]

It's more than livable Tutu :-) It's really nice. If I didn't already have a big enough setup for Patches, I'd make one of those.

Oh thank you DrKMcK :) do you remember times that poor little Gertrude almost died :( so I really really try to spoil her and always looking for improvement about her house, food, toys ...etc
I must admit she is little spoilt maybe:rolleyes:

[JonasB]

Thank you DrKMcK. The pictures of my boy was not supposed to be in that album tho :D
And Tutu: Your setup is really nice aswell! Spoiled little syrians^^

[sfeaston]

i was considering using the Expedit bookcase with the seethrough drawers and then drilling out rotastak size tube holes to link them all together so the hammy would have 3 boxes on 3 levels with the empty squares being used to run tubes to the next one.

however.... the unit is currently our living room furniture with lots of stuff in it, so i can just dream for now!