Adding Windows to the Mini Jungle Gym
If you start with two
sheets of [Z] Lucite (or a similar acrylic),
you can simply lay the sheets directly on the side panels,
lining up the sheet with the center of each pvc pole,
and use a marker and a straight-edge to draw cut lines.
You'll be able to get
two side windows out of the one sheet.
The other sheet will yield the window portion of the front door...
And you'll have a 6" piece left over that would be perfect for one of the front corners!
To cut the Lucite, I prefer
to use an orbital jig saw with very sharp blades
although people tell me that scoring both sides deeply
and snapping gives a nice clean edge.
The dimensions of each
side window is: [AA]
and the front door window is [BB].
Use a sharp drill bit
to make holes about a half an inch in from the edges.
I like to space them out to match the holes in the white side panels,
so that I can use just one cable tie -- through both holes and around the
pole.
Just hold the side window
up to the frame and mark where the holes
need to be to match up with the side panel holes. Then drill, against a piece
of scrap wood
to avoid cracking the Lucite.
Make sure that the cable tie square ends are flat against the Lucite and clip
the excess.
The side window panels
are attached to the outside of the cage frame,
just like the white back panels -- lining up all the holes.
The door window panel,
however, is attached to the inside of the door frame,
so that you have the poles accessible to grasp, to open the door,
as well as having access to the bolts that keep the doors shut.
Tip: take the protective plastic off the Lucite before attaching it to the cage frame.
Another tip: If the cut
edges of the Lucite present any dangerously sharp edges,
you can use white cloth tape to cover the edges all around, nice and neatly,
before you attach the lucite windows to the frame.
.....
Now we've done the frame and the front door and the ceiling and the back panels and the windows.
Now all we've got left to do is the basking shelf, which will be the lizard's favorite spot!
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