What a day!

It all began at 5am, I woke early and could not get back to sleep so I thought "bugger it" I may as well get the day started. I got up and made myself a coffee and some vegemite toast, sat at computer and looked at a few things while having my breakfast. Then I packed the stuff I bought yesterday from Bunnings, my lunch and hopped on my bike and headed into work to get the build under way.

I bought some multi-purpose glue, clear silicone, hinges and the glass tracks. Not too much, glass tracks cost the most but still not much. They had white ones but they charge $3.00 more for white so I thought it wasn't worth it seeing as the tracks will be hidden behind the supports and also that the main colour of the rocks, bedding, hides and water bowl are all brown-ish.

Once I got to work I spread out my gear on one of the benches, this makes things a lot easier. It's good having so much room to move and benches to work on. Way better than doing this at home.

Then I sorted out my pieces and began constructing the table first, this was the easier thing and seeing as it was like 6am I thought it'd be best to work on the easy stuff first till I woke up more. This chose to be a wise choice as I blew 2 nails out the side of the shelves. Thankfully it was at the back so it won't be seen, though the one that went into my finger sure did hurt!

The shelves didn't take long to build, though I did stop to make myself another coffee.

Attaching the door was a bit of a pain, the screws supplied with the hinges just wouldn't hold very well in melamine, so I used some bigger ones I had that are suitable for chipboard. Doesn't look as good but are a lot stronger, hinges aren't seen so looks are not highly important, working hinges are.

Over that hurdle and the door was attached, the saw being out of calibration when I cut the other pieces meant the piece I cut for the door today was smaller than the rest of the shelves. So there is quite a large gap around it, ah well, not that big of an issue. Least it works.

I found some push open/close latches in my shed yesterday, so I decided to use these on the door. There is no need for a handle and makes a nice clean look to the outside of the door, quite snazzy too I must say!

I put one top and bottom, though picture only shows one at the bottom. That was the shelving part of the desk finished. Now to construct the rest of it.

Final product looks quite good, I am very pleased with the outcome.

With the door closed, not bad indeed!

With the calibration of the saw being out when the pieces where cut, I discovered another problem. the leg of the table was 3mm shorter than the shelving leg part. So I just stapled some 3mm MDF on the bottom.

I had some gap sealer in my shed from when I had to seal around my shower screen. This actually came in quite handy, although it wasn't needed it did however help to improve the look of the table. Seeing as it is a white product, I used it to fill the joins and make next to invisible joints, not a bad idea I must say.

Next was to start putting the vivarium together, but first I stopped for a coffee and some morning tea with the owner of my work and the guy from next door who was in lending a hand to move some racking around. Then the construction began, it started off quickly but soon slowed down as it got a little trickier. Above you can see the little rubber stick on feet I put on to prevent it sliding in the table.

Ah, attaching the front supports, this was a little on the tricky side as I only had one side attached. The other is being left off till the rock wall is complete so I have access to install it with ease then the side will be attached.

Front and front side supports done and I clamped the side on till the glue set and for a little added stability while I was working on the rest of it.

I used clear silicone to run around the inside of the vivarium where all the pieces join, this will ensure a water tight seal and stop any moisture getting into the wood and causing any swelling

Next I glued and clamped the glass tracks into place and left them to set while I went and had some lunch and more coffee.

I measured up the positioning of the heat lamp, marked and drilled the holes to attached it and then drilled the hole where the cord will go through the back and into the thermostat plug.

I did the same for the heat cord and adapter.

Also the fogger.

Then I measured, marked and cut out holes for the vents, I was originally going to use a jigsaw and cut them rectangular but I had my hole saws and thought it won't make that much of a difference to the ventilation and it was a lot easier and quicker just using the hole saw.

By this stage the glue had set on the glass tracks, so I marked, nailed and screwed the inside supports into place. This will ensure the glass will not come out, none of the bedding will get into the tracks and just neatens up the whole thing. Practical and cosmetic, things are going well but time is slipping away.

Attaching the back was simple and quick and brought me to the final stage, I siliconed up the joins at the back and on the rear front supports, gave it a quick clean out and packed up my stuff.

The owner let me borrow the work ute, I loaded my stuff, the table and vivarium into the back and headed for home. I dropped them off into my carport then headed back to work to get my bike. Once home I moved them into my shed.

I did start on the rock wall, got a few pictures but I figured I would leave that for another post. Once I do some more I will make a post about making that, for now I think this is enough. I'm exhausted, it's been a long day and I honestly can't be bothered writing anymore.

Revised price list

(new purchases added, brackets removed as they where not used or needed)

Vents - $26.20
Cord (IEC to twin IEC) - $15.53
Cord (IEC to 240v) - $11.45
Liquid nails - $3.90
Cord holders - $4.00
Power board - $20.39
Bolts, nuts and washers - $6.98
Stick on feet - $3.98
Fogger - $38.05
Handles - $3.90
Plants - $29.90
Polystyrene - $29.00
Glass Track - $19.15
Glue - $8.95
Hinges - $1.45
Silicone - $4.97

Total - $227.80