http://www.ehow.com/how_2112957_build-la...mpaign=yssp_art

I'm going to make hubby build it for out colony of 4!

Cage-building gurus, can you please list what changes will need to be made to make this cage 100$ glider-safe?

I know not to use galvanized mesh, but that's about it, lol. There's a special coating that is needed for the wood, correct? What's it called and how many coats do I need to put on? Etc...

Excellent! Hopefully other members looking to build a bigger cage will see your post!

Karin

Wow Nicole, that looks great. Plenty of room. I wish I had the space Are the gliders you will be housing in there chewers? If not you can use the plastic mesh (landware)instead of wire. Please make sure you are very careful about where you buy your wire as I know some people have had issues with the coated wire (the ones from China are NOT safe) Good luck to you and happy building. Remember I want pics when your done with it

Well, they WILL chew the rept mesh, but perhaps I could use hardware cloth? Would that stuff work? I'm thinking that if I put tons of toys and since it's so big, then perhaps they won't chew? I'll have to find out who else has built cages and see exactly what kind of mesh they used.

Also, I'm going to use screws, not the glue.

I'm so excited!

I've just gotta get hubby to cut all the wood pieces because I'm scared to use the power saw. *shiver* I tried using it once and about gave myself a heart attack, lol.

It actually doesn't seem too wide, maybe 3-4ft? So it won't be much of a size difference from my current cages, just taller and will stick out more, lol. I'll have to put it in the corner of the glider room.

Yes that is a good question! I was going to use small mesh hardware cloth for our new cage..
is it glider safe?

My husband purchased some cages years ago from a member here on GC who built wooden cages and used hardware cloth. You know how frequent we have to wash our gliders' cages, right? Well, after frequent washings of the cages my husband had, the polyurethane coatings came off and the vinyl coating of the hardware cloth came off and started to rust. I would NOT recommend using hardware cloth when building cages. The hardware cloth is 19 gauge, which is very thin and flimsy and doesn't hold shape at all. The hardware cloth kind of bends when heavy toys are hung, because it isn't strong enough. These cages my husband had were very well built, but after frequent washings...

The DIY site looks awesome!

I am just saying that in the long run the hardware cloth and the sealed wood would not hold up well. That is just my experience...


Jen

that cage is awesome-bet your suggies are on

Darnit Jen! I read Chrissie's post and was really hopeful about hardware cloth, but then I read yours and now I'm bummed out, lol.

I thought hardware cloth was plastic? Is has metal in it? Isn't hardware cloth the stuff used on Stealth wheels?

Nicole, not sure what the plastic mesh is called, always get confused. But I have the plastic mesh on my cages, mine are built with pvc pipes for the frame, and the mesh is used to cover it. (Attached with zip ties)

I have a cage that is made with the mesh that I got from from Home Depot, the others are made with mesh I got from Industrial netting. The industial netting mesh is heavy duty, no bending and is as almost as durable as the pvc coated wire. The HD mesh, not so much, pretty flimsy and I'm replacing it.

Here is the website where I ordered from, http://www.industrialnetting.com/plastic_polyeth.htm

they are great, you have to order by phone and you can order exactly how much you need, its cut to order. I ordered a 100ft in length, the 48" width. Had enough to make 3 cages with alot left over.

The one I used is the XB1132

You can also use the stuff that looks like Repts. That's what I used- It's in the door section at Home Depot. I think it's called pet screen?

The hadware cloth I was reffering to is the plastic one, not the coated wire. It is very reasonable in price between $11 & $13 a roll depending on where you get it, and you can replace a section only if need be. I think it's called landware or something similar. I'm just afraid of the coated wire with all the questions in regard to toxcity. If your gliders don't chew it you are set

Chrissy your cage came out awesome!

the plastic mesh is landware

Hummm... the hardware cloth I was thinking of useing is very heavy and all metal.. non galvenized.. sorry if spelling is off..lol.. and I have used it for years and I have only seen it rust after a LONG time out doors..
I had a flight cage out doors years ago and it took years outside before I seen any rust.the one I get is a little more high priced but I have always looked at the life span of it..

Well, the hardware store near me has some of the plastic mesh, so I'm going to give that a try. If it bends or warps then I'll just pull it off and replace it with something else.