What materials to use?

[Samoguk]

I was originally planning on making some storage bin cages for each of my hamsters, but i've been having trouble finding large enough storage bins to provide enough floor space on 1 level.

After some serious thought and scouring the internet to try to find something suitable i started to give up, then i started looking at an old, quite big chest of drawers that i have no use for and got to thinking.

My new plan is to take the draws out, replace the backing with something stronger than the flimsy standard thin wooden backs, split the space inside into 2 by putting a shelf half way up so i have 2 separate hutch style cages adding 4 doors to the front made of a frame with a wire mesh middle.

I have lots of spare MDF and was wondering if that is a safe option to use to make the shelf, doors and any levels i decide to put in as i know the hamsters will gnaw on the wood and there are certain types of wood you can't use? Any ideas what i could cover the shelf with to make it waterproof so it doesn't soak up pee and to make it easier to clean? Also what kind of paint or stain will be safe to paint the doors?

[ianpallen]

MDF is not a good board to use as it is very pourous and easily chewed. A hamster would chew through it in no time. To seal it if it were made into a floor, would take a lot of sealing and varvish. The hamster pee would break it down and the mdf will soak up pee like a sponge. Plywood is better or melamine boards, but the edges have to be sealed with silicone type sealant so no leakage can leak down into the wood as it is chipboard and swells like mad when wet and splits.
Hope this helps.

[Samoguk]

Thanks for the tips. I think i have some melamine boards spare from a kitchen refit actually and it would save time and money trying to waterproof the shelf. Yeah i was going to sillicone around the shelf anyway to stop any pee dripping down into the lower level as i plan on housing seperate hammies in each half.

I'm still stuck on what kind of paint to get though? I'm not looking for any fancy colours just a white or light grey so it will fit in with room decor.

I bought a roll of 13mm squares wire cage mesh today and going to get the rest of the materials i need over the weekend so i can start putting it together on monday and get the hammies in by next weekend. It's definitely going to look a hell of a lot better than the standard cages they are currently in and provide them with a lot more floor space for them to run around in.

[ianpallen]

Kitchen cupboards are great to use as they are melamine and easy to clean. They have plenty of room too. Would like to see some pics of the before and after cages when they are done. If you wanted, you could make a thread on the build in the DIY section. It would give others an idea too.

[Samoguk]

Yeah i will take pics before i start and as i'm putting it all together and the finish result and post them on here it should look good when i'm done (fingers crossed).