A Geek attempting to prove his manliness.

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
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Finch Fry
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A Geek attempting to prove his manliness.

Post by Finch Fry » Fri May 01, 2009 11:01 am

So I work at a chemical plant making plastics and I design reactors and distillation columns and heat exchangers. Its all on the computer or paper with calculations and sketches. So I hardly get time to actually use my hands and build something.... you know, to prove my manliness.

Also, cause Donna thought I was a girl until she met me at the bird mart and was like.. OH, CHRIS.. the GUY.. not Chris, short for Christina, the GIRL! (that was actually quite funny)

So I recently determined I needed some more cages to give my finches more space and to obviously get more finches and have the appropriate space for them. Living in an apt. I dont have the luxury of lots of space so I needed to consider stacking. Racks at stores are way too expensive and none of them will appropriately fit a 30x18x18 breeder flight cage. So I have decided to build my own.

Although a minor task to build a free standing shelf, for me, never having built anything before, should be interesting.

I have sketched my design, purchased my lumber products. All pieces are cut and already primed. Painting tomorrow and hopefully building this weekend. I will post pictures of the progress as well as my plans. This is a super simple design that most anyone can do and incredibly cheap. At the end of the day, I will have 3x 2 tier free standing racks that can hold 2x 30x18x18 breeder flight cages with room for the breeder boxes and height for light attachment. I think the total cost for material was 22 dollars. Paint and primer was another 22. So you can build these nice racks for as cheap as 7.33 a piece. Or painted will be 14.66 a piece. :) Cant wait to post pictures this weekend.
Goulds, Owls, Gold Breasts, Stars, Zebras, Societies
An obscene number of chicks and eggs
And an incredibly rare St. Goldena Breast finch
Anyone want some finches???
-Chris 8-[

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DVBourassa
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Post by DVBourassa » Fri May 01, 2009 11:25 am

We look forward to seeing it.
-Dianna

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L in Ontario
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Post by L in Ontario » Fri May 01, 2009 11:27 am

I too will be anxiously waiting to see those marvelously engineered stands! :D

Liz (the GIRL)
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CandoAviary
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Post by CandoAviary » Fri May 01, 2009 12:43 pm

Sounds like a plan....... you know the guys are the ones that always know how much the thing cost.... I come up with an idea...do a rough sketch. It is Hubby who gets the material list together with proper measurements,
When it is all said and done I say isn't that nice? He always says yea...it cost x amount of dollars and that's not counting my time :D
Yep, they know right down to the penny how much the thing cost...also how long it will take to build, prime, paint, etc.
Yep, I could tell you were a Man :D

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dfcauley
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Post by dfcauley » Fri May 01, 2009 7:34 pm

Looking forward to seeing it Chris...... I knew you could do it! :lol:

Don't feel bad..... I have thought several people on here were gals instead of guys..... :lol:
Donna

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atarasi
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Post by atarasi » Fri May 01, 2009 8:47 pm

Chris, I assumed you were a guy because of your profile name....okay, and maybe I thought you liked fast food too. :lol:
Jordan

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Finch Fry
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Post by Finch Fry » Sat May 02, 2009 9:54 pm

atarasi wrote:Chris, I assumed you were a guy because of your profile name....okay, and maybe I thought you liked fast food too. :lol:
Actually, the first finch I bought I named Fry. Not a big fan of fast food.
Goulds, Owls, Gold Breasts, Stars, Zebras, Societies
An obscene number of chicks and eggs
And an incredibly rare St. Goldena Breast finch
Anyone want some finches???
-Chris 8-[

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Finch Fry
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Post by Finch Fry » Sat May 02, 2009 10:00 pm

Ok, here we go. Going to build this tomorrow, everything is ready.

This is all the wood, cut and measured.
Image

This is everything with primer.
Image

This is everything painted black.
Image

More pix tomorrow after done building.

Here are some bonus pictures of my newest fledglings that popped out just this morning.

This is mom between the new chicks.
Image

Just the chicks hanging out.
Image
Goulds, Owls, Gold Breasts, Stars, Zebras, Societies
An obscene number of chicks and eggs
And an incredibly rare St. Goldena Breast finch
Anyone want some finches???
-Chris 8-[

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L in Ontario
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Post by L in Ontario » Sat May 02, 2009 10:05 pm

Aw the birds look beautiful, Chris - congrats on the fledglings!

Looks like the cage is coming along nicely too. :D
Liz

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CandoAviary
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Post by CandoAviary » Sat May 02, 2009 11:05 pm

The stand looks nice in that high gloss black.... the chicks are cute...they look like Mom.

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lovemyfinch
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Post by lovemyfinch » Sun May 03, 2009 7:39 am

Adorable little fledglings, good luck with the project, it looks like you have al your "ducks" in a row. :lol:
Janine

shaftails,gouldians,societies,green singers,owls,cubans, and 1 parrotlet
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Finch Fry
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Post by Finch Fry » Mon May 04, 2009 1:15 am

Pay no attention to the little zebra in the bottom. I dont have lights yet for this stand and he was getting a little rowdy with his bonded hen so i put him in his cool down chamber. He gets out in a few days once the little fledgies are weened.


Image
I am thinking of painting over the screws on the sides.. they stand out quite a bit.

Image

Anyways, thats what 15 dollars gets you for a breeder cage stand. Its good enough for government work so its good enough for me.

:)
Goulds, Owls, Gold Breasts, Stars, Zebras, Societies
An obscene number of chicks and eggs
And an incredibly rare St. Goldena Breast finch
Anyone want some finches???
-Chris 8-[

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Post by B CAMP » Mon May 04, 2009 9:20 am

Chris
I think you done a good job I really like it,looks like you got room for another one next to it :lol:
Bill

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L in Ontario
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Post by L in Ontario » Mon May 04, 2009 9:24 am

Looks terrific Chris! And of course I have to agree with Bill - too much unused space on either side!! :lol: :lol:
Liz

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CandoAviary
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Post by CandoAviary » Mon May 04, 2009 11:16 am

Nice...I too think there is too much unused space on either side and vertically...It could go to the ceiling and hold at least 4 and then you could build one on the sides...... :D just kidding
I am sure those Zebras can fill them up with lots of babies :D

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