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Old 06-19-2016, 01:58 PM   #1
WinnieTheHam
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Default Stylish playpen

So I came across a youtube video which had a really nice looking playpen than the person build but it didn't give a descriptive tutorial on how to put this playpen together so I thought I'd do a step-by-step guide for you all.

It is not my original idea, as I said I saw it on youtube. This is the video if you're interested (Please read on for the step-by-step guide)

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SKo0B_X8io

I haven't had this playpen for long, but it looks really nice and it's quite simple to put together. The hamsters can't escape from this, it's quite tall and made from plastic so they can't climb out.

It costs less than £20 to build, I already had some of the equipment you need, so it cost me £17.

What you need:

- 30 (estimate) small zip ties.
- Interlocking storage cubes - http://amzn.eu/0eTQ5Av or http://amzn.eu/eGgWHOe
- Tape (I used electrical black tape)
- Scissors
- 2 pegs
- A large space!

This is the box the cubes come in, it arrived within a day when ordering off of amazon so I really recommend it! I also got two packets of 20 small zip ties.(I tried rotating the image but it's not worked for some reason!)






You need to lay each panel by the side of each other like this;




Make sure that they are facing the way the left one in this image is facing.




Then you need to zip tie top and bottom together on each side, make sure you do it as tight as it goes. (Do it on all of the squares, when finished it should lay out in a very long line of squares that are tied together.)






Cut the excess off of the zip ties and turn it around so it is facing the floor.



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Last edited by leedsgurl; 02-11-2017 at 12:35 PM. Reason: Added link to alternative storage cubes
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Old 06-19-2016, 01:58 PM   #2
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

Cut the tape about 1-2 inch in length. Place it portrait against the gap with excess hanging off the bottom, this part folds underneath to the other side. (Do this for all of the holes on the bottom half, the hamster can't reach the top)






You should now be able to stand the structure up, it can be made into different shapes but make sure you overlap the end squares when setting up the playpen. Secure them with two pegs on each metal corner of the overlapped squares



(This is one corner, the other is on the right but I didn't get a picture of that!)





You should now have a fully functioning playpen! Very large too!




One amazing thing I love about this is that it folds up into a neat, easily storable stack!





Hope you all find this helpful. I'm awful at describing things so I hope the pictures explain a bit too! Let me know if you decide to do this, I think it's great

Myrcella having fun in the playpen for the first time (I need some more playpen toys, any ideas are appreciated) It takes up the whole floor space in my room!

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Old 06-19-2016, 02:45 PM   #3
Scarlett Empress
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

This looks brilliant, thanks for sharing - just ordered a set of storage cubes!
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Old 06-19-2016, 02:53 PM   #4
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

That's a great idea and well-explained! Thanks for sharing
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Old 06-19-2016, 02:59 PM   #5
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

The playpen look amazing. It looks like a Syrian definitely can't climb out, might have to look into something similar myself, so thanks for sharing.

What is the measurements of playpen assembled? As it look really big
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Old 06-19-2016, 03:26 PM   #6
WinnieTheHam
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

Thank you all and no problem! Let me know how it goes Scarlett

I'm not at home at the moment so I can't give accurate measurements but visually (comparing it to Myrcella's cage) It's around 4ft x 2.5ft in the image with Myrcella in. You can change the shape of it, even into a circle! So it will fit in awkward spaces too.
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Old 06-20-2016, 10:29 AM   #7
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

Wheee my order has been dispatched! I am really excited about this - I had ordered some sheets of Correx but I like the idea that this pen is all joined up but will fold flat.

I guess with the metal frames to the panels, it has got a little weight to it? When I was having my constant battles to build Smokey an escape-proof cardboard playpen, she found she could lift the damn things up! And when I weighted them, she just chewed through the cardboard...
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Old 06-20-2016, 11:33 AM   #8
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

For those who have carpets. If you buy 2 packs or make a smaller playpen. You could make a base with the extra pieces so there is less chance of the hamster chewing holes in the carpet. It is also possible with one pack.
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Old 06-20-2016, 12:32 PM   #9
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

Wow that certainly is stylish - much better than my Correx one! As for playpen toys - I don't have many either but I spontaneously put all kinds of things in it - a large floor cushion, a smaller cushion, the odd cuddly toy (although I need to wash them sometimes). The carrot cottage always goes down well out of cage as well (half an hour of banging and scratching inside it ripping hay off).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Na...ottage+hamster

Cypher has some amazing playpen toys!
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Old 06-20-2016, 12:32 PM   #10
WinnieTheHam
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Default Re: Stylish playpen

How exciting Scarlett! Yes it does have a bit of weight to it, it's a little heavy when folded up, but still manageable I was going to buy a large sheet of plastic to cover the floor with, correx is a good idea. I think buying two of the storage cubes would be a bit costly just to cover the floor with. Abe tried to get under it but had no success! So it's definitely too heavy for them to lift.

I like the idea of a play pen being bigger than their usual cage so they can stretch their legs a bit more than usual, the size is great. My hamsters love running around in it and hopping on all of their toys and things.
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