DIY Wooden Shelves ?

[proudmom25]

I picked up some pine to make shelves for Allie's cage. I had a question though for those of you that have made shelves that go across the whole length of the back (or side). Where do you place the hanger bolts...and how many? Do you only place them along the back or do you place them on one of the sides as well? Thanks in advance!

 

[mistywaterwoman]

I do two on the back and and one on each side, it keeps them from tipping forward.

 

[Tagna]

For me it depends on the size of shelf. If it's not too long I just put 2 on the back but if it's a longer one I'll put one on a side as well as the back.

 

[alli713]

For going across the back of the cage I always do the sides and 2 on the back.

 

[GorillaJTA]

I usually go one bolt every 8-10 inches and if it is over about 24 inches (so 4 bolts about) I put a side bolt on one end if it is a side shelf or both if it is all the way along the back to keep it from tipping down and also to keep it from tipping up and dumping poop off the back.

 

[3CsMommy]

I actually use a 1 5/8" carpentry screw w/ washers to secure the shelves, but I place at least 2 along the back and one at either end of the long shelves, one at either end and one centered in the back of the short ones. (I don't know whether I'm just overzealous with the wingnuts on a hanger bolt set up or whether Quality Cage shafted me on the shelves too, but after less than a year, I had loose hanger bolts on 3 of the shelves that came with my cage. The screws and washers work much better for me, and make things easier to reposition when necessary.)

 

[proudmom25]

I have the ferret nation and went to take some measurements as I plan on getting the shelves done tomorrow. I have a problem. I want to do a full back length shelf as well as one side. But there is a "lip" where the sides meet (the solid pieces and not the wire bars). So, if I want to put 1 hanger bolt on each side and then 2 at the back it won't work as there will be a gap...either on the sides or atthe back. (I hope this makes sense).

If anyone knows what I am talking about and has a solution...please help.

 

[fanofdmb84]

I have the ferret nation and went to take some measurements as I plan on getting the shelves done tomorrow. I have a problem. I want to do a full back length shelf as well as one side. But there is a "lip" where the sides meet (the solid pieces and not the wire bars). So, if I want to put 1 hanger bolt on each side and then 2 at the back it won't work as there will be a gap...either on the sides or atthe back. (I hope this makes sense).

If anyone knows what I am talking about and has a solution...please help.

I had the same problem, since I put "L" shaped shelves in. I thought I would have to sand a little channel out of the corner to account for that back bar, but I just didn't tighten the side bolts as much. The wire bends/gives a little, and as long as you don't torque them down too tight, they work out just fine.