I got it in my head to build Chili, my Russian tortoise, a tortoise table this morning.
I'd read about expanded pvc here on TFO, and wanted to see how simply I could make one.
Chili spends a lot of his time in his outside enclosure, and will soon be going into the fridge for brumation, so although it's a little small, I think it'll work for him (it's bigger than what he's currently living in when indoors, and way bigger than what he lived in for the last 20 years.
I bought one sheet of 4x8x0.75" pic and a set of pvc primer and cement for a total of $117.70... if I were doing it again, I'd buy clear primer and cement instead.
I had the guy at home depot make the following cuts:
1) @ 36 inches, to make 3x4 base
2) @ 15 inches to make a 4 foot side
3) @ 15 inches to make another 4 foot side
4) @ 13.5 inches to shorten the remaining pvc for the 3 for sides (less the width of the 4 foot sides)
5) @ 15 inches to make a 3 foot side
6) @ 15 inches to make the final 3 foot side
The pvc sheet has a smooth side and a woodgrain side, I assembled the box with smooth sides in.
The 3/4 inch pvc is probably thicker than needed (and the 1/2 inch sheet was $40 cheaper) but it balanced nicely and feels solid.
The 15 inch walls will work for my Russian tortoise, and likely for other smallish torts, but probably not for bigger ones.
I'm going to let it cure for 24 hours, then put in some mulch and set it up with heat and hides and light for Chili.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to improve the design or implementation.
Thanks,
Jamie
I'd read about expanded pvc here on TFO, and wanted to see how simply I could make one.
Chili spends a lot of his time in his outside enclosure, and will soon be going into the fridge for brumation, so although it's a little small, I think it'll work for him (it's bigger than what he's currently living in when indoors, and way bigger than what he lived in for the last 20 years.
I bought one sheet of 4x8x0.75" pic and a set of pvc primer and cement for a total of $117.70... if I were doing it again, I'd buy clear primer and cement instead.
I had the guy at home depot make the following cuts:
1) @ 36 inches, to make 3x4 base
2) @ 15 inches to make a 4 foot side
3) @ 15 inches to make another 4 foot side
4) @ 13.5 inches to shorten the remaining pvc for the 3 for sides (less the width of the 4 foot sides)
5) @ 15 inches to make a 3 foot side
6) @ 15 inches to make the final 3 foot side
The pvc sheet has a smooth side and a woodgrain side, I assembled the box with smooth sides in.
The 3/4 inch pvc is probably thicker than needed (and the 1/2 inch sheet was $40 cheaper) but it balanced nicely and feels solid.
The 15 inch walls will work for my Russian tortoise, and likely for other smallish torts, but probably not for bigger ones.
I'm going to let it cure for 24 hours, then put in some mulch and set it up with heat and hides and light for Chili.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to improve the design or implementation.
Thanks,
Jamie
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