Bin Cages for the Non-Technologically Minded/Equipped?

[Catherine Spark]

Apologies if this comes across as an incredibly ignorant question.

Hypothetically, could you make a bin cage by

1. Cutting the ventilation spaces with a craft or kitchen knife
2. Cutting the mesh to size with wire cutters
3. Securing the mesh on the outside over the spaces, using packing tape, duct tape or some other strong but thin tape?

I ask because certainly when packing tape is used to secure some things down flat on a rigid plastic surface, it takes considerable strength to prise it off with human fingers. On the outside of the cage, the hamsters would not be able to reach to nibble at it, and it would cover any gaps snugly, and also provide fixture all along, instead of at intervals, unlike washers and bolts.

Just curious as to peoples' thoughts.

[Charley101]

I would say yes to questions 1 and 2 (a heated craft knife would be better) but no to question 3. Personally, I don't feel duct tape along is secure enough (even though you do have some valid points). Cable ties or nuts and bolts are a lot better in my opinion

[cathface]

I used a Stanley knife for cutting the ventilation spaces (heated up with a lighter), so I'm sure a craft knife would work. not sure if you'd want to risk blunting a kitchen knife though! you can get a Homebase own Stanley knife for 99p.

I used wire cutters for the mesh, not sure what else you would use?! xD remember to make it slightly bigger than the vent spaces though, I made the mistake of cutting the wire to the same size as the vent and then was like "o." when uh I couldn't attach it to the bin haha.

I wouldn't suggest using tape. I don't know about your mesh, but mine wasn't completely flat. when I made a slap-dash bin cage because it was really late at night and I couldn't get the drill out at 10pm on a weekday, I thought using aaaaall the tape in the world would do. nah - Badger figured out that pushing one corner hard enough will pop it open (because the mesh isn't flat against the side of the bin) and he managed to get out twice. then when we re-affixed the tape, he realised pulling off his water bottle meant another corner could be popped open, and he escaped again. this is when I lost him for a few hours! as soon as I found him though, I went straight to fixing the mesh on with nuts and bolts!

[Wisper]

I wouldnt be happy using tape, if it got wet from a leaky bottle or something it could easily loose its stickyness plus it wouldn't look very nice.
Easy way would be with some cable ties, make a hole in the plastic box then thred the tie through both the hole and the wire mesh and that should be pretty secure. Then do the same all the way round the ventilation space. Only problem there might be if the hamster started to chew the cable ties.

[Catherine Spark]

Thanks everyone All good points. In that case, does anyone have any suggestions for securing nuts, bolts and washers that doesn't require a drill? I think that would be my second preferred option if possible.

[cathface]

I didn't use a drill for my first bin cage - I just used the heated Stanley knife to poke a hole through where I'd drawn, and then turned it in circles to 'carve' a hole big enough for the bolt to fit through.

[Charley101]

I used a heated kitchen knife (sharp) to make the holes in my bin cage. It worked really well

[Catherine Spark]

Thanks - this is all really useful! Makes the whole idea seem less massive And one last question (sorry to be a pain), how do washers and bolts attach? Hands, spanner or some other way?

[Mona's Humans]

i made the holes like cathface did, then cable tied it on, then duct taped the edges on the outside of the bins to make them less sharp!

[HorseyMandz]

Cable ties are the best bet if you're not that techno savvy- we picked up a huge bag in a DIY store the other day and they're just so simple to use