Ultimate Small Pet Accessories and Homes
Introduction: Ultimate Small Pet Accessories and Homes
In this video, we will share how we decked out a small pet enclosure with two houses, two different kinds of stairs and multiple platforms. We've had our two gerbils, Mace Windu & Rex, for about a year now, and their enclosure was in need of some tlc. While we personally have gerbils, these accessories are great for other small pets as well. As with any woodworking project, always use tools properly, and do not attempt anything if you are unsure or feel it is unsafe. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel, and stay tuned for more awesome projects!
Supplies
*The lists below include what is needed to make each of the 6 accessories. If you are not making all of the items we show here, you may need fewer tools or supplies.
Materials:
* Screws
* Wood Glue
* Super Glue
* Popsicle Sticks
* Brad Nails
* Log Rounds
* Lumber Non-Toxic to Your Pet
* 3/4" Dowel
* 150 grit sandpaper
Tools:
* Chop Saw
* Table Saw
* Palm Sander
* Compressor
* <PERSON>
* Drill Set
* 2 1/2" Hole Saw
* Bandsaw/Jigsaw
* Drum Sander
* Chisel
* Mallet
* Benchtop Sander
* Crosscut Sled
Step 1: House 1 Game Plan
Overall Dimensions: 9 1/8"x7 1/2"x5 7/8"
This first house will be the larger of the two and will sit on the floor of the enclosure. It will feature two entrances and a platform roof for our gerbils to sit on.
Step 2: Cut All Sides & Drill Opening
Using a chop saw and table saw, cut a total of 6 pieces at the following measurements:
* 5"x7 1/2"
* 4"x7 1/2"
* 4"x7 1/2"
* 4"x4"
* 4"x4"
* 5"x4"
The wood I am using is 1/2" thick. You can use a wood of another thickness, but just make sure the wood species you choose is not toxic to your pet.
Drill a 2 1/2" hole using a hole saw on the piece measuring 5"x4" and one of the pieces measuring 4"x7 1/2". 431
We drilled these holes closer to the bottom of each of the pieces so that our gerbils could easily enter and exit the house.
Step 3: Cut Roof
Cut your roof/platform at 5"x8 1/2". This will leave a small overhang on the side of the house once assembled.
Step 4: Sand & Assemble House #1
After each piece has been sanded, apply a small strip of wood glue and carefully use brad nails to hold the house together. When using the brad nailer, you will want to ensure that no nails are exposed.
The two pieces measuring 4"x4" sit slightly behind the two larger pieces measuring 4x7 1/2" once assembled. (See photos for a better view)
Step 5: House 2 Game Plan
Overall Dimensions: 7"x3"x5 7/8"
This second house will have only one entrance and will sit on the second platform in the enclosure.
Step 6: Cut All Sides & Drill Opening
Cut two pieces of wood at 7" in length & 5 1/2" in height.
Next, draw the shape of a wave or curve on one of those pieces. I securely taped the two pieces together and cut the shape of the wave using a bandsaw; you could also use a jigsaw. The highest point of the wave was 5 1/8".
Drill a 2 1/2" hole on only one of these pieces. Again, I drilled the hole closer to the bottom of the home to make it easily accessible for our pets.
Measure the lowest point at each edge of these two pieces. For us, the measurements were 4 5/8" and 4 1/8". These two measurements are not the shortest point of the house but the lowest/shortest point of each end of the pieces we just cut.
I then cut the two sides of the house at 2"x4 5/8" and 2"x4 1/8".
Step 7: Cut Roof
We wanted the roof to slightly overhang the house, so we cut 10 pieces of a 3/4" dowel at 3 1/2" in length. 76