Home made tubes for free

[ianpallen]

If you have a carpet shop nearby or know a carpet fitter, they might be pleased to get rid of a carpet tube as it costs them to throw them away.
I got a tube and had to cut it down with a hacksaw and drill holes in it with a 30mm hole cutter. This is ideal for any rodent, even small rabbits.
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamsters/hamstertube001_zps909b23fa.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamsters/hamstertube001_zps909b23fa.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamsters/hamstertube002_zps8abdb203.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamsters/hamstertube002_zps8abdb203.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamsters/hamstertube003_zps99fa0f31.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamsters/hamstertube003_zps99fa0f31.jpg.html)
The hole cutter in my drill
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamsters/hamstertube004_zps59e00d33.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamsters/hamstertube004_zps59e00d33.jpg.html)
The tubes can be got in different sizes.
The tube is cardboard and does not harm the pet if chewed.

[NiceCrocs]

That's brilliant! I have some similar tubes from my work that I sawed in half for Margo to play with, but I love the idea of drilling holes along it like you have!

[Esmy]

Great idea! I may look into that! Although not free, I bought a 5ft? mailing tube and cut it into 6 pieces. Free is better though. :)

I like the hole idea too.

[ianpallen]

Thanks
My wife's friend has a son who is a carpet fitter and gave us hte tube for our rabbit but it is not big enough for her to go in it. :(. So I made a tube for my hams. It will go in the new cage I will make as there will be room for it.

[Esmy]

What is the diameter on it?

[ianpallen]

What is the diameter on it?

outside diam. 4 1/4" (11cm) inside diam. 3 3/4" (9.5cm)

[Esmy]

Oh ok, I was thinking about 3". Thanks. :)

[ianpallen]

The tube I have is the largest that the carpet fitter had. There are some that are narrower, but i dont know what size. Sorry.

[BrainGirl]

Carpet roll tubes are awesome! Most of them are on the smaller side but I've had one that was about 6" in diameter. Love the use of a hole saw to make it more fun, now I have to get a new toy for my toolbox;)

If you need much bigger tubes, I can't recommend concrete forms highly enough. They're usually just pressed cardboard (unless you get a treated type) so perfectly safe and available in some pretty enormous sizes! I've had plans to turn one of my pieces, which is about 2' in diameter, into a castle or something:p

Oh, and another trick I use with tubes is to cut a strip off lengthwise so it sits firm and use it as a house. My chins love those and they're firm enough that they can bounce off them too. Come to think of it, the shape is reminiscent of a covered wagon!

[ianpallen]

I was thinking of cutting some off the tube and standing them up to make hides / homes for the hams to sleep in. Attaching a roof would be no problem or just leave them without a roof and just fill with tissue. There would have to be a 'door' in the side. I could do quite a few with two to three holes in the sides and make a maze out of them. As long as the holes are the same height, the tubes could be joined with either silicone, or pva might do the job, as it is cardboard / paper.

[BrainGirl]

I thought about that but the idea of attaching a roof seemed daunting to me, especially given my imperfect cutting skills! Quonset huts are just so much easier for me;)

[ianpallen]

I know what you mean about cutting skills. I use a hack saw or an electric jigsaw and my straight lines are a little bit crooked. lol. I cut the pipe dead straight, until I turned it ofer to cut the othjer side as hacksaw would not go all the way through. It was a bit off line. Oh well, the hams are not going to complain. lol