Melamine is better
Some hamsters will chew through wood in no time. Others won't bother - but it's a hassle if they do. Incidentally, although you can buy melamine in diy stores, a lot of people use things from Ikea (eg a melamine table top) for a diy cage. It means the melamine edges are already finished for the size. The Linmon is popular I think.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-spr-29932181/
Here is a tutorial for a Linmon cage
DIY Ikea Linnmon Cage
I also think this is a good option as it gives you sides and a top or bottom
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-30128629/
If you turn the stuva upside down you have a wipe clean base and sides, can mesh the back and front and make a lid out of wood strips and mesh.
If you want a cage on legs, some people have used two Lack tables. Without the middle shelf. You put on on top of the other and fix them together securely.
The top of one gives a base, and the top of the other one gives a top. Then you fill in between the legs with mesh or perspex - but it would mean needing sliding doors probably.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/...-art-80111339/
Here's an example. There is a Link on this page to a Hamster Central post with details of how it was made, but unfortunately the photos no longer show on the post due to photobucket becoming defunct. However there is also a video you can click on on this page.
https://hammyhappenings.wordpress.co...amster-caging/