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CHINBIN'S
CAGE PLANS - PAGE TWO
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FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION
You'll have to forgive
me if I made some errors in these drawings.
Please let me know, and I hope it doesn't mess you up too much!
After cutting out your pieces
(see cut-outs page) you'll go on to
Step One: The Basic
Box
Use decking screws except where pan
head screws are specified.
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This step just entails putting together
the back, sides, top, and bottom, then inserting the metal tracks
for the divider. As with the entire project, screw holes
MUST BE PRE-DRILLED.
Finish all exposed cut edges with iron-on melamine tape and caulk
the interior seams. |
Here's what it will
look like after completing
Step Two: The Shelves
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The shelves
can actually be added at any time following Step One, but now is
as good a time as any. It is easiest to first put the shelf brackets
onto the shelves with pan head screws (be sure to do it against
a very flat surface), then put them into the cage (again with pan
head screws). Don't forget to pre-drill those screw holes! Apply
metal edging to the shelves to prevent chewing. Caulk the top seams.
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Now for the relatively
simple
Step Three: The Center Divider
Guide
| All you need
to do to complete this step is to insert the guide for the center
divider. This CANNOT (at least in our experience) be done with the
melamine coated pressboard. This piece is too fragile once the center
is cut out, so you need 3/4" plywood. Cut out the center slit first
with a circular saw then finish the corners with a jigsaw. We put
on the iron-on edging along the outside edges of the front just for
aesthetics. Do I need to remind you to pre-drill the screw holes at
the top and bottom to install this section? |
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And here's
Step Four: The Lower Front Panels
Drive screws
outward (both directions) from insides of windows and also upward
from bottom of cage to attach these panels to the frame.
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Putting in
the lower front panels will give the cage an almost finished look.
To cut the opening out of the solid piece we once again used a circular
saw first then finished the corners with a jigsaw. You will need to
finish the inside cut edges with melamine tape prior to inserting
the plexiglass. Cut and predrill the plexiglass carefully then attach
to the inside with pan-head screws. Now, caulk these interior seams.
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You're almost there! Here's
Step Five: The Doors
After
adding these doors you're ready to add some chinchillas (or perhaps
sugar gliders or some other happy critter). The door frame is pieced
rather then solid like the lower portion. We had the most trouble
here as these small pieces tend to split easily. PRE-DRILL CAREFULLY!
A drill press or drill guide is a big help here. Once you have the
frame pieced together you'll need to finish the edges with melamine
tape then attach the wire mesh. The wire mesh will not only keep
the animals in but will provide stability to the door frame. Just
stapling the mesh on is okay but you may want to use brackets for
extra stability for the door. The doors are attached with 1 ½"
hinges and hook and eye closures.
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If you are going to divide
the cage then all you will need to do now is insert the
Center Divider
as shown on the cut-outs page and add
some critters.!
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SINCE
MAY 2002
