I going to attempt some DIY

Hammie · 08-21-2010, 11:17 AM

]Ever since I have seen the Ikea modified cabinets etc I have been wanting to build something similar, but lets face it I do not possess the best DIY skills in the world.

I was hoping to build something above the mantelpiece in my room. It is only very narrow (22cm) but is 4.5ft long so I was thinking if I used it all then it would be suitable for a dwarf but definitely not a syrian due to the width.

Here is a pic of where I was thinking of building it.

IMG_0130.jpg

I was going to buy some white MDF and would love to put in sliding glass doors. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this?? Also would I need to coat the wood? If so any links to where I can buy plasticote would be great.

Let me know your thoughts.

princess-rhi89 · 08-21-2010, 11:20 AM

A good person to ask about homemade cages would be tita they made there own cages

Hammie · 08-21-2010, 11:25 AM

Thanks I may PM them. Do you think the size would be ok for a dwarf. I figure 4ft long would make up for the narrow width hopefully

princess-rhi89 · 08-21-2010, 12:46 PM

Im not too sure to be honest, I only keep syrians, you would be best to ask someone with dwarf hamsters xx

mangoandmimi · 08-21-2010, 01:30 PM

um it should be alright, make the absolute most of the length though

possibly add in some wooden levels at the end to take off some of that length and add some height to it, would work very wel. then coat that in plastikote, or japlac (a spray) but its expensive. i buy it from homebase, £7. not sure the price of plastikote, u can probably get it off the internet for a fiver.
unfortunately i'm not at all gifted at diy and i failed to hold a piece of mesh without cutting myself, so i can hardly help you lol.
goodluck - yeah its a good idea making one lol cus u can customise it how u like XD

Hammie · 08-22-2010, 03:36 AM

Ive been looking for plasticote and I see that B&Q sell it. There seem to be so many different colours-I presumed it was a clear spray. Can someone please tell me which one they use.

Thanks

SnickersTheFirst · 08-22-2010, 03:41 AM

I'm not sure if it would be suitable as the width is so small so it would be hard to fit toys in and the hamster would only be able to run in a straight line really. Maybe build it with something bigger?

Hammie · 08-22-2010, 03:54 AM

Yeah I see your point. I was hoping the length would make up for it a bit, but I won't build it unless it will be ok. I have a shelf that I could build it on which is 35 deep but I am not sure it would take the weight (the walls in my house are very powdery). I will have a think.