Finished my first bin cage!

[shoshannah]

I collected my items from Wilkinsons yesterday and made my first bin cage! wooo! If you would like to know in detail what i used read my other thread http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/housing/50084-cheap-bin-cage-update.html.

This will be a photo instruction post. It will also include pictures of the toys i've made. If you would like more information on them please ask :)

Okay so first i went and bought, a box, a saw, a hand file and some cable ties. I decided not to use the saw as it seemed a lot of effort and instead put a butter knife on the hob for a few minutes. Whilst that was heating up i measured out where i wanted the ventilation hole to go. Then placed the hot knife along the lines and just let it melt through (holding it with a damp cloth).

After both sides were done ( i made two holes) i filed them down so there were nice, smooth edges :)

Once i had done that on both sides, i measured out my mesh to be around one inch bigger on each side around the hole. Then i got my hot knife again and just used the tip to melt little slits around the hole where i would thread the cable ties through.

This is quite tricky by yourself but i managed it. Hold the mesh above the whole and thread the cable ties through and pull tight.

Trim the tails off and you're finished! All of this took me almost three hours non stop! I do not have a profession in this so this is a personal method. Please tell me if you find any pros and cons :) Hope you enjoy!:D

[shoshannah]

i will make another post on the diy toys because i can only post 5 pics per post


http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/diy-do-yourself-hamster-projects/50234-diy-toys.html

[humfry]

That's looking good! I almost got that Wilko bin but was not sure about the corrugated lid & trying to get the mesh fastened with no gaps for hammy to investigate but looks as though you did a good job. I tried to cut my SAMLA lid with a hot craft knife but it is very thick plastic & I ended up using a coping saw, starting from drilled holes. Hard work!!

If anyone needs to make round holes for bolts instead of slits for ties & you don't have a drill or other suitable tool then a large nail heated up makes neat holes. Either hold the nail with pliers or bang it through a piece of wood to make a handle.

Those toys are excellent - love the little castle/climbing whatever!! Wicked!!

[shoshannah]

That's looking good! I almost got that Wilko bin but was not sure about the corrugated lid & trying to get the mesh fastened with no gaps for hammy to investigate but looks as though you did a good job. I tried to cut my SAMLA lid with a hot craft knife but it is very thick plastic & I ended up using a coping saw, starting from drilled holes. Hard work!!

If anyone needs to make round holes for bolts instead of slits for ties & you don't have a drill or other suitable tool then a large nail heated up makes neat holes. Either hold the nail with pliers or bang it through a piece of wood to make a handle.

Those toys are excellent - love the little castle/climbing whatever!! Wicked!!

That's a great idea for the bolts! I wanted to get the SAMLA bin but settled with this because i have a wilko near me :) I could even try connect the wilko and Samla, may be hard but i like a challenge! As for the wilko lid, i just made sure that when i put the mesh on top, it was fastened to the high ridge each time so that it wasn't uneven. If that makes any sense:-k

[humfry]

I am lucky to have both Wilko & IKEA on my doorstep! Just be aware that the biggest SAMLA bin is on wheels - makes it easy to move around. If it was me I think I would put the Wilko bin on top (SAMLA has very strong flat lid) & connect with an internal tube/pipe through the Wilko floor/SAMLA lid. Especially after reading about escapee Humbug yesterday!

[shoshannah]

I am lucky to have both Wilko & IKEA on my doorstep! Just be aware that the biggest SAMLA bin is on wheels - makes it easy to move around. If it was me I think I would put the Wilko bin on top (SAMLA has very strong flat lid) & connect with an internal tube/pipe through the Wilko floor/SAMLA lid. Especially after reading about escapee Humbug yesterday!

You are very lucky indeed! Thank you for the idea:idea:. I shan't do it straight away as i have spent all of my pocket money now:neutral: But it will be a target! I'm a bit worried about the wheels because i keep his cage on a table away from dogs and cats. Maybe i could remove them or put tape around them to stop them from moving.

[humfry]

Ah! I don't think I'd use a wheeled bin on a raised surface like a table. I've just checked mine & they do actually come off (unclip) without having to damage them at all, so that would be best. The bins then sits on a sort of large moulded raised bit at each corner - very stable.

[shoshannah]

Ah! I don't think I'd use a wheeled bin on a raised surface like a table. I've just checked mine & they do actually come off (unclip) without having to damage them at all, so that would be best. The bins then sits on a sort of large moulded raised bit at each corner - very stable.

That was my other worry was if it'd be stable if they were removable. But that sounds good;)