Kalidascope Geckos

Well I needed another incubator to put in use this year, and as I like to build and make things I thought I would photo it and put it on the website. Maybe someone would get some use out of it. First is just the pieces that I cut to my measurements. All I used for this was a regular skilsaw with a blade on it for cutting melamine. I still put masking tape on my cut lines to help cut down on flaking when I cut.Once it was all cut I layed it altogether.

 

Next I put it together by glueing all the edges and then using a nail gun, nailed them together.

Now that I had it together I go ahead and seal everything as I go. I silicone all the edges to make sure it is as close to air tight as I can get it.

Once it is sealed and has dried some then I move on to the next step,which is where I put in the insulation. I think this has alot to do with incubators. If done right with some good insulation you dont have to worry about the outside temps affecting the inside temps as bad. Here it is after the insulation has been cut and put in place.You can see by the pic that what I use is some good thick stuff. It has the reflective backing that I turn toward the inside.

Next it goes back to just trying to make it look good and help keep the humidity and moisture from getting to the wood. I install what i have always known as shower board. I have heard it also called eraser board. Seems that teachers use it for a dry erase board as well. Hard to find when it is close to the end of summer break I know that. But the same here, Once I have it in place I go ahead and seal it as well. Also I do glue the shower board to the insulation.

Once this is done it is time to go back to making it look nice. I have to put a face plate on it to attach the door to. i really like the look of the white melamine so I stuck with it,also all my cages are built out of it too. Keeps everything nice and neat looking.

The face plate and the door are almost exactly the same. With the door I did however leave the side trim about an inch wider on each side. Wanted to make sure since the door would be getting used alot that I did not weaken it any. Now it is just attaching it to the incubator. this I did by glueing The face plate to the incubator and then using the nail gun I nailed it into place.

In the last picture you can see that I have already install the thermostat and the heat tape. I saw no need to go over that as it is covered many times over plus it is on the directions that come with each.You will also notice that it has been placed on a dolly. What an idea. Courtney had suggeted it and while at Home Depot we checked into it. They are well worth the 20.00 that they cost.

 Next is making and installing the door. I did not take any pictures of the door as I was routing it.It was made just like the face plate and then routed to the depth of the thickness of the glass which is 1/8. I rout both sides so that I can double the glass for better insulation. Once I have the door installed I then glue the glass in place.

I did the same for the glass inside. I then had to put in place the hinges and the latches. I went with the latches after Courtney suggested it. i looked at them and REALLY liked them.Once you shut the door you can latch them and they pulled it together tight.

Once the hinges and the latches have been installed the last things to do are to really clean everything up. Wipe down the glass and such.Then you end up with this: