It is ok to make a DIY hamster cage from pine wood?

[Ngrace827]

Hello,

I brought a Syrian hamster from my local Pet store a couple of weeks ago and I’ve quickly realised that all the advice they gave me is wrong! I want to upgrade my hamsters cage so he has more room to borrow. I’ve found a wooden Ottoman for sale online which I think I could turn into a hamster cage by putting a hole in the front and attaching prospect glass and cutting a hole in the top and putting on a mesh cover. The issue is the seller believes the Ottoman is made from Pinewood. I’ve seen conflicting things about pine online. Some saying it’s okay in boards and some saying it’s never ok to be used. Can anyone please clarify this for me? Also, if I need to varnish or seal the wood with anything before I use it as a cage, can anybody recommend a hamster safe product I could use to do so? (Based in Uk).
Thanks!!