Recommended Building Material and steps Please!

[Blazing_Dragon]

Hello! I'm planning on constructing a custom cage for my future bearded dragon. Just had some questions, if you can answer them i would be very pleased !

Melamine VS Plywood VS Solid Wood?

I did a bit of reading on other topics about sealant and primer and paint. What do you all recommend? For example, 3 coats of primer on the inside, 2 coats of sealant on the inside and outside. Or is it even needed at all? And what about polyurethane? How many coats and is it needed? I'm completely lost when it comes to the primer, paint, sealant, and polyurethane. Whats safe to use? ANY information at all will help. Even if you explain to me why you would use polyurethane at all? Whats its purpose? Repeat for sealant please !

Okay, that ends my questions for now! But i'm pretty sure i'll have more for you once i think of them haha =) Thanks for any help guys! You never failed me before =) no matter how noobie my questions were haha.

-Travis

 

[kimmie]

I'd go with the Melamine, that way you wouldn't have to paint a thing!

http://www.freewebs.com/crossfireenclosures/

This is what many have used as you'll see mention of Crossfire enclosures. That's what I used as well and it was really easy to build!

 

[Blazing_Dragon]

Thanks alot!

He doesn't say anything about sealant or polyurethane though? Is that because hes using melamine and not real wood?

 

[Blazing_Dragon]

oh, and how sturdy is that thing going to me? Being held together with only screws and glue? Would adding some support to it be necesary?

 

[squirell]

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=71756

Here is a link for the crossfire made easy. A BD member detailed the instructions a little more to go with the crossfire link provided to you above. This will be a very sturdy Viv if done correctly. Hope this helps.

 

[kimmie]

It's EXTREMELY sturdy. I used both screws and liquid nails but found you probably don't need the liquid nails at all. I think I used about 5 screws for the tops and bottoms (at the sides) and maybe six on the back top & bottom. Using the Melamime you wouldn't need to seal it also.

 

[Blazing_Dragon]

he says he sealed his with caulk on all the seems though?

 

[kimbasmom]

We built ours (I can post a pic, but it's in a seperate thread looking for comments) out of 1/2" plywood. I sealed it with Minwax water-based stain and water-based polyurethane. We have touch-up finishing to do, and I need to work on the inside (and get doors), but it is working out quite well.

 

[Blazing_Dragon]

awesome. Well i really would like to make it with hardwood. but im not sure how much more expensive thats going to be. Because i want to stain it a really nice color (not sure what yet). If hardwood is too expensive ill just go with trying to find a cool looking melamine (some website builds theres with marbled white, white speckled black, and a white black and grey speckled melamine.)