Breeding Rack Plans
by Richard Brooks
The following breeding rack design was geared toward housing smaller lizard species, such as leopard geckos. It can easily be altered to be used as a snake rack system as well.
Supplies - Breeding Rack Plans
· 14 1/2"L x 8"W x 4 5/8"H - (12) 6 quart sterilites
· melamine (3/4" thick x 24" wide) stock
· melamine strip lining
· Iron (Clothes)
· drill
· 1/8 inch drill bit
· 1/4" countersink bit
· 1 1/4 putty knife (optional)
· wood filler (optional)
· white paint
· razor knife
· 2" drywall screws
· Tape measure
· Skil saw / table saw / or Handsaw
This is not a hard project if you have an understanding of the tools you will be using. The goal of this tutorial is to reach out to those that like "DIY" projects. (Do It Yourself)
I will be as thorough as possible while writing this tutorial. If there are any parts you believe could use further explanation, please email me and I will do my best to revise that section of the instructions.
Here are the dimensions for the wood required:
(A) 2 @ 41" x 17" (left and ride side)
(B) 6 @ 17" x 17" (Shelves)
(C) 2 @ 18 1/2" x 17" (Top/Bottom)
(D) 1 @ 6 1/2" x 17" (Control Panel)
Total pieces - 11
Bottom Installation - Breeding Rack Plans
Once you have your pieces cut, it is best to arrange them in piles according to the letter they are represented by above. This will make your assembly much easier. From here on out, all pieces of wood will be referred to by the letter that represents them.
The first thing we want to do is take our 2 (A) pieces and attach the bottom of the unit to them as illustrated in the pictures below. This will give you a semi-stable unit to work with and allow you to mark out the shelves.
Overhead View - Breeding Rack Plans
This view depicts how the unit will appear as you are looking down upon it. Use it as a reference for how the pieces of wood should be laid out. When you are lining up the wood, you should keep all of your cut ends in the same direction. Since you cut the wood to 17" wide, the cut side should be facing the floor. This will make the face of the rack more appealing when it is completed.
Enhanced Corner - Breeding Rack Plans
This shot is an enhanced image of the corner. Please not that the (A) pieces are butting into the (C) piece. If you place the (A) pieces on the outside edge of the (C) piece, and then screw the (A) into the (C), your shelves WILL NOT work!
Bottom Screws - Breeding Rack Plans
If you are planning on filling the screw holes after you have completed the assembly, you should take the time to use the countersink bit and pre-drill the holes so their is a slight dimple in the melamine. The dimple should be just deep enough so the screw will be roughly 1/16th" recessed into the wood! If you do not plan on filling the holes, it is still suggested that you pre-drill pilot holes. This will keep the screws straight, and help prevent you from piercing the edge of the melamine.
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