Adding a Front Door to an Existing Bin Cage

[Kiki_3173]

I have my hams on a shelving unit at my home. Both cages open from the top and every time I want to interact with my Syrian, Darwin, I have to take the entire bin off the shelf to get to him. ](*,) Not practical nor comfortable for my boy.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/DSCF3175_zps55603290.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/DSCF3175_zps55603290.jpg.html)

So, I added a front door to have easier access to him and his cage:-)

These are the materials I used:
My Dremel, a measuring tape, safety glasses, wire cutters, 4 inch cable ties (zipties) and Darwin's bin.

I also used a front cage replacement part that I bought on Critter-Cages.com. I cut off the rounded sides using my Dremel (leaving a frame for the door) and measured it so I could get it centered on the front of his bin cage.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps0774097e.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps0774097e.jpg.html) http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps9b3a7dc2.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps9b3a7dc2.jpg.html)

I measured the same dimensions of the cage front (measure twice...cut once) and cut out a hole using the wire cutters in the mesh those same dimensions.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps6efe351f.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps6efe351f.jpg.html)

I lined up the door/frame on the hole in the mesh and ziptied the crap out of it:-) I plan on replacing the zipties with j-clips in the future, but I was eager to get the door in as soon as I received the replacement part in the mail!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps3c144db2.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps3c144db2.jpg.html)

I cut the extra plastic off of the zipties (also using the wire cutters) and VOILA...bin cage front door!=D> I know it's not beautiful, but it is practical and works for what I need it to.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps17a708d2.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zps17a708d2.jpg.html)

Insert substrate, hamster toys/accessories, and of course...hamster...and I have one very happy little boy (and happy me)!!! :-)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zpsa7522ad2.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Darwins%20Bin%20Cage/image_zpsa7522ad2.jpg.html)

[hikaru]

That was a brilliant idea! :D

[Kiki_3173]

That was a brilliant idea! :D

Thank you hikaru! I like DIY, but I was certainly nervous making that fist cut on the mesh. I kept thinking..."screw this up and you are entirely re-meshing a bin...ugh!" My hands were literally shaking ;-). lol

[Stockannette]

This makes me think of putting a side door on a non-holey bin - that way it could go up somewhere! Nicely done.

[gutterglitterxx]

This is great. If I had GiGi's bin in a similar location, I would totally be stealing this idea! But I just have her and Madeline stacked on the floor, GiGi is on top. :)

[Kiki_3173]

This is great. If I had GiGi's bin in a similar location, I would totally be stealing this idea! But I just have her and Madeline stacked on the floor, GiGi is on top. :)

This makes me think of putting a side door on a non-holey bin - that way it could go up somewhere! Nicely done.

I've only had the door in there for a day and it's been a godsend! I wish I would've thought of it when I made his bin cage, but...lesson for the future:-). Next time I make a bin cage...it will be getting a door from the get go!