How to Build Your Own Acrylic Finch Cages

Finches are small birds that do not require a large cage for housing. A cage that is around 5 cubic feet will be enough to house several birds. You can build your own finch cage using acrylic -- a crystal-clear plastic that is stronger than glass and can be easily worked using common woodworking tools like carbide drill bits -- and acrylic glue. Carbide drill bits work for wood, metal and acrylic. Supplies and tools are available at most hardware stores or hobby shops, and the project can be completed in a small space, such as a home workshop.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Straight-edge
  • Dry-erase pen
  • 2 1/4-inch-thick acrylic sheets measuring 14 by 29 inches
  • 2 1/4-inch-thick acrylic sheets measuring 25 by 29 inches
  • 2 1/4-inch-thick acrylic sheets measuring 14 1/2 by 25 inches
  • 1 1/8-inch-thick acrylic sheet measuring 5 by 5 inches
  • Drill
  • 4-inch carbide drill bit
  • 3/8-inch carbide drill bit
  • 1-inch bolt, 3/8-inch in diameter, with nut
  • Acrylic glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Draw a grid on each acrylic sheet using a dry-erase pen. First, draw a set of parallel lines spaced 1 inch apart on every acrylic sheet, starting a half-inch in from each edge. It does not matter which edge you start from. Then, draw another set of parallel lines that are at right angles to the first set of lines, spaced 1 inch apart. The intersecting lines will create a grid pattern.

    • 2

      Drill a 4-inch hole into one of the 29-inch sheets, using the 4-inch carbide drill bit. This will be your access to the inside of the cage. Use one of the intersections created by the lines for this hole's center. Drill a 3/8-inch hole where each of the lines intersect, and wipe away the remaining lines. Do not drill any 3/8-inch holes that will intersect the 4-inch hole. The 3/8-inch holes will function as air holes.

    • 3

      Position the 14-by-29-inch acrylic sheets on edge, parallel and 24 1/2 inches apart. Set and glue the 25-by-29-inch sheet to the pair of 14-by-29-inch sheets so the corners are flush. Let the acrylic glue dry according to the instructions on the package, and repeat this step on the opposite side so you have a box with two open ends. This is your acrylic cage frame.

    • 4

      Glue the 14 1/2-by-25-inch sheets to the open ends of the frame so the corners are flush. Let the glue dry.

    • 5

      Drill a 3/8-inch-diameter hole that is 1/2 inch away from any 5-inch edge on the 5-inch acrylic so it is centered, 2 1/2 inches away from the pair of edges that are perpendicular to the edge from which you measured. Bolt this sheet over the 4-inch hole that you drilled, using the 3/8-inch hole that is directly above the larger hole. This is the door to the finch cage. It will pivot around the 3/8-inch bolt to allow you access to the inside of the cage, or to keep the cage closed.