How to Build a Melamine Cage

Melamine is particle board that has a plastic resin laminate over it on both sides. It is similar to plywood, but it is often used for projects that will not endure a lot of stress. Melamine is often used for various types of cages, and insect cages are one of them. Insect cages like these are often used to house fireflies, beetles, butterflies and other similar insects. Melamine works well for insect cages because it is easy to clean compared to regular plywood. The plastic surface can be sprayed with a cleaner and easily wiped off.

Tape measure
2 melamine sheets, 1-by-5-by-5 inches
Melamine sheet, 1-by-5-by-8 inches
Plywood, 1/8-by-3-by-3 inches
Drill
Drill bit, 2-inch
Drill bit, 3/32-inch
Counter-sink, 3/8-inch
Screw gun
4 wood screws, 3-inch
Wood screw, 1-inch
Metal screen mesh, 1-millimeter holes, 11-by-15 inches
Staple gun with staples

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a 2-inch hole through the center of one of the 5-by-5-inch sheets. The center of the hole is 2 1/2 inches away from each 5-inch edge. This is for the door on your cage.
- 2
  Set two 5-by-5-inch pieces of melamine on edge, parallel and 8 inches apart. Lay the 8-inch melamine between them so the edges are flush. Drill two 3/32-inch pilot holes through each 5-inch piece and into the 5-inch ends of the 8-inch piece. Drill a 3/8-inch-deep counter-sink hole in each of the pilot holes to hide the screw heads and screw the three pieces together.
- 3
  Screw the plywood to the melamine so it covers the 2-inch hole. The screw is 1/2 inch above the top of the hole. Use the 1-inch screw. This is the door to your cage. It will pivot around the screw to cover the hole and to uncover the hole providing access to the cage.
- 4
  Lay the screen mesh over the edges of the 5-by-5-inch melamine sheets so the edges are flush. You are covering the three open sides so you will have to fold the mesh over the two pairs of corners. Staple the mesh to the melamine using one staple every inch. Leave no opening into the cage with the edges of the mesh.

How to Build a Firewood Holder Using Metal

How to Build an Octagon

Building Designs