Photo Guide to Making a Bin Cage

[Vectis Hamstery]

Thanks for the link, Biscotti. I tried a Stanley-type knife before but found it cracked the plastic uncontrollably which is why I went with the soldering iron. Did you use an electric or handheld drill for the starter hole? Did you take any special precautions to prevent cracking? I have an electric drill but it rather scares me!

Syrianali, I have used bins in transparent pink, blue and white for the past three or so years before moving over to my purple bins. I haven't noticed any problems with using coloured bins. If anything, I have found them good for hams that are flighty with me walking past the cages (I used to have the bins in stacks in my living room which I would walk past to get to the kitchen) or generally a bit nervous.

[Biscotti]

Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery

Thanks for the link, Biscotti. I tried a Stanley-type knife before but found it cracked the plastic uncontrollably which is why I went with the soldering iron. Did you use an electric or handheld drill for the starter hole? Did you take any special precautions to prevent cracking?

My first try was using an electric saw, and it did crack the plastic like crazy (and I'm glad the shrapnels didn't take my eye out with it), that's why I went with a small handheld as it gave me more control. This particular saw has strong serrated teeth good enough for metal, so it was a very easy cut just sawing back and forth with a little pressure, and I didn't even have to tape the edges like I did with the electric saw (which didn't work anyhow ).

As for drilling, I use an el cheapo Black&Decker electric drill with 3/8" bit as I didn't have anything larger. You need to apply steady pressure perpendicularly to the plastic as you drill so it will not slip, once the bit get a good dent in the plastic it's easy to just push it through. I find the drill holes to be fairly clean with minimal clean up needed.