Ok I was wanting to make a cage using the pvc pipes and the mesh. I was just wondering what kinda of mesh do I need to use?? I know that some of you on here have made yours like that. Please help..hehe

Just be aware they can chew through the mesh

Yeah that was what I was thinking so that was why I was wondering if anyone who as made one might have some pointers...hehe

The mesh I used is called hardware netting. Its just a thick plastic netting.I have built 4 cages out of the netting and no one has chewed out yet **fingers crossed**. One tip I have is, don't built it too big, you want to be able to bring it outside for a good cleaning.

Whoa! Awesome cages, Catman. Do you have detailed instructions anywhere on how to build them?

Oh ok. Thanks so much!! Is it expensive to buy?

MrsAych thanks. No, sorry I don't have any directions for it. Its really easy to build but very time consuming. The PVC pipe snaps together without any kind of glue(you will need a rubber mallet or hammer).If you screw something up, you can just take it apart and redo it(before the netting goes on). You can glue it after you are sure everything is square,even and the exact size you want(measure all the doors in your house!!). Feel free to use any of my pictures as directions or just build the same one as I did. I have more pictures with close ups and different angles if you need.

Tender the biggest one(7'2"x36"x36") was only $100 for all the materials, -the base.

Oh ok. Well that really isn't that bad! Well thanks so much. I think i'm gonna try and tackle it!! And thanks god my husband is really handy!! Thanks so much for your help!!

Catman - The PVC is simple enough. We still have some laying around from when we built our house a few years ago and farm King is just down the road. How do you attach the hardware netting? And what about doors? Not sure how you do them.

I used Zip ties,LOTS of zip ties to attach the netting. The doors are a little tricky. The last cage I built I used small metal hinges. I'm not sure if they will last though.Here is a picture of the first door. I used a piece of 3/4" copper pipe and slid it over the 1/2" PVC. The door will open in or out. It opens in-wards a lot easier.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb293/COCatman/100_3146.jpg

Thanks for the info, Catman. I've been looking at cages on the 'net, but seeing the ones you've built has opened my mind to a lot of possibilities.

Your welcome. You might want to get some of the fittings from a PVC company and not Homedepot/Lowes.They don't carry that many different kinds and you end up having to "just make it work". I have never ordered from any of the companys so i don't know which ones are good. Here is one you might want to check out.

http://www.simplifiedbuilding.com/pvc_fittings.php

making the door was the part I couldn't understand.

The 3/4" copper pipe fits perfectly around the 1/2" PVC.You just slide the copper pipe over the PVC to where you want the hinge.



The left door has 2 hinges and the right door has 4

I have to wonder how something like this would work out outdoors if I wanted to take my glider outside at night. I have a concrete slab where we had a dog kennel for several years. If it was built big enough and I could "anchor" it to the slab so we could sit in it with her would it be safe for her as long as she was never left alone?

Sure, if you were always there with them.That netting wouldn't do any good if something wanted to get in.We set up a 2 room tent outside during the summer but we never leave them unattended.

Nothing goes into the area where the kennel was except wild rabbits. It's a fenced area where our Keeshond lived until he had to be put down. But I'd never leave her alone indoors or out.

I will give my worth. If u know what u are doing great, but if not I think it is cheaper and easier to buy and nice cage then to build one. Our little suggies are not cheap. They are also part of the family. They will interact with u and do stuff with u. They are not a gerbile or hamster. They get attached to us. I would feel bad if I built a cage and they got out and something happened to them. Yes even with the built cages they can get out but once all of the bugs are worked out u and I know would feel better about how we cage them. But good luck on what ever u do.