Homemade Ball Python Racks

Once you have established a small colony of ball pythons, you will realize housing every one of your precious snakes in aquariums takes up a ton of space. Purchasing a ball python rack may seem like your best option at first, but with a quick glance at the expense of one for your reptiles, you will be running for the door. Instead, make your own ball python rack at home to save money, as well as let you customize the size of the rack for your snakes.

Things You'll Need

  • 8 pieces of 1-inch by 2-inch by 6-foot-long pine boards
  • 2 pieces of 1-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot-long pine boards
  • 1 piece of 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot-long pine board
  • 1 piece of 2-foot by 4-foot hardboard, 1/4-inch thick
  • Box of 1 1/4-inch fine thread drywall screws
  • 7 41-quart Sterilite clear tubs
  • Pack of four casters
  • 8 pieces of 16 1/2-inch by 36-inch Sintra, 3/8-inch thick
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Power saw
  • Carpenter's T-square
  • Power drill
  • 1/8-inch drill bit and screw bit
  • 1/8-inch thick cutting mat spacer, at least 17 inches or more wide
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Instructions

  1. Assembling the Rack

    • 1

      Cut all eight pieces of 1-inch by 2-inch by 6-foot pine boards in half so you have 16 pieces total. Cut both 1-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot pine boards in half for four pieces. Measure and mark two 36-inch-long sections on the 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot long pine board. Cut out the two sections. Cut the hardboard into a 18 1/2 inch by 48-inch section to finish cutting.

    • 2

      Lay two pieces of the 16 pieces of 1-inch by 2-inch boards down horizontally and parallel to each other. Lay a piece of Sintra on top, aligning the pine boards flush with the edges of the Sintra.

    • 3

      Pre-drill a hole 4 inches in from the end with the drill bit through both Sintra and pine board. Screw one of the 1 1/4-inch drywall screws into this hole. Do a second predrilling 4 inches in from the opposite end, then screw in a second screw in this hole. Drill a third hole between the first two holes, and install a third screw. Repeat this step to the opposite parallel side of the Sintra and pine board.

    • 4

      Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to the remaining Sintra and 1-inch by 2-inch pine boards, so you will have a total of eight shelves.

    • 5

      Set two of these shelves up on the side, and align a 1-inch by 4-inch board flush to the corner of one of the shelves, making the pine corners meet. Use the T-square to align the 1-inch by 4-inch board at a 90-degree angle. Drill two holes, one on each side of the 1-inch by 4-inch board, roughly 1/2 inch in from the sides through both boards. Install two screws in these holes.

    • 6

      Repeat Step 5 to the opposite side of the shelf, then flip the shelf over. Repeat Step 5 to both sides of the shelf with the remaining two 1-inch by 4-inch boards. Flip the board over so the shelf lays flat on the floor and the four supports stand straight up.

    • 7

      Lay the 1/8-inch thick cutting mat onto the shelf. Flip one of the Sterilite tubs upside down, and lay on top of cutting mat. Set a second shelf on top of the tub, then pre-drill two holes through the 1-inch by 4-inch support board and pine shelf 1-inch by 2-inch board. Install two screws, and repeat this with the remaining three support 1-inch by 4-inch boards.

    • 8

      Repeat Step 7 until all of the remaining shelves are spaced and secured properly.

    • 9

      Place the two 36-inch-long pieces of 2-inch by 4-inch boards parallel to one another on the top of your shelves. Flush both boards with the remaining parts of the 1-inch by 4-inch supports. Predrill four screw holes on the 1-inch by 4-inch supports through to the 2-inch by 4-inch board. Do this to all three remaining corners. Install screws to all the holes.

    • 10

      Attach all four casters to the top of the 2-inch by 4-inch boards you just installed. Set the casters in a few inches from the edges to avoid hitting any screws. Flip your rack over to rest on the casters. Attach your piece of hardboard to the back of your rack with some of the remaining screws; simply add a screw in a spot to prevent the hardboard from gaping.