Re-using/welding cages?

Hana · 06-18-2008, 11:40 AM

Hiya!
So, my boyfriend is good at blacksmithing and welding as he is studying it at college.
And we just had the idea that maybe we could get some cages from the tip/dump as there are always a few odd wire cages for sale there and he could weld some of them together nicely so that Treacle my syrian or maybe another hamster in the future could have a mantion house!
But then we had some concerns that made me think again:
Number 1 - would it be safe to get cages from the tip as you dont know what the previous animal died of? (Of course I will disinfect it thoroughly)
Number 2 - Will all the welding and the metal or whatever it is be safe to have on the cage? It wouldn't harm a hamster in anyway?

I think that is it, at first I thought it was a really good idea but now I'm not so sure; anyway I guess I'll see what you guys say. Thanks!

arikata · 06-20-2008, 07:25 PM

Not sure about the germs, you could always pick up a cheap cage from a carboot if you want to be on the safe side!

The welding shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the metal isn't rusty or falling apart and you should be laughing all the way!

Noodles · 06-21-2008, 12:16 AM

I wouldn't have thought getting old cages would be a problem as long as you disinfect them for ages. I guess there may be rats at the tip so I would do it even more throughly than a normal second hand one, using really strong products. I think people here leave them in the sun afterwards as well to kill some more germs (*looks at weather

*)

I think that if you welded you would have to make sure the edges were completely smoothed off and I would keep it as flat as possible myself so hammy can't chew (well makes it harder to chew at least)

Hana · 06-21-2008, 06:24 AM

Yay! Thank you for replying

Awesome, I'll have a look out for some and make sure I use really strong disinfectant and my boyfriend can file it down so there are no sharp edges.
Thanks again!

Hana · 09-16-2008, 10:23 AM

I didn't think I should start a new topic as it's all kinda related.
I got a cage from the dump, its in pretty good condition but a couple of bars were missing were a hammy could possibly escape. So we got those welded up but I thought it best to check, he said he used 'flux' to wheld it together, anybody know about 'flux' and know if it'll be harmful? Do I need to paint up the bits that he replaced that were broken? With what paint?
Thanks for your help
Hana

souffle · 09-16-2008, 02:51 PM

I would think if it has been welded with a solid metal it should be fine Hana. I would rub it down with sandpaper to make sure it is smooth. The show pens which are frequently chewed at shows are painted with dulux gloss, the ones that are safe for children. They do paint cage bars so I doubt they use anything much different from a child safe metal paint. The sort you might use to paint toys with. If it is nice and smooth it may not need painting at all. Hopefully that bit will never get chewed anyway. Well done to you and your OH for great recycling!

Hana · 09-17-2008, 12:38 AM

Yay, Thanks for your help Souffle!

Jenni_08 · 09-22-2008, 02:06 PM

Great Idea... Can we have pics when you've made your mansion?

Hana · 09-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenni_08

Great Idea... Can we have pics when you've made your mansion?

Yeah sure! OH has been filing it down for the past couple of days, then if hes done it by the weekend I will be able to repaint