DIY hide?

[Zimmer]

OK so I have this really cool old wooden whiskey barrel but it's in miniature... I really want to modify it and make it into a hide. I was thinking to just cut away the bottom about 2/3 down so it has a flat resting surface, and then some type of entrance into it maybe through the top or the side? I plan to use it on the cool side so it shouldn't get hot or too humid/damp.

Questions:
-Any advice for how to cut this without ruining it? Tools to use?
-Should I seal the inner and/or outer surfaces with anything?

 

[kholtme]

Was this used to actually hold whiskey? I would be concerned of smells that could stress your gecko out. As tools that i would use is difficult to say. There are many tools out there that would be better than others, but tools that the average person have in their home wouldnt be the best. Since it is wood and metal bands, a saws-all with a blade meant for wood filled with screws would work, but not saying it would turn out perfect or not get ruined. You could always sand it down after cutting. I use saws-alls a lot, and the cuts are never perfect. Are the bands removable? if they are, a band saw would cut with better precision and have a better cut, but unless you know someone in construction or wood work, i doubt you have one in your garage. And you would then need to cut the bands to size, which could be done nicely with some tin snips if the metal bans arent too thick. It would be more likely that you or someone you know have a table saw, which i think would do a good job if you can remove the bands and have someone that knows what they are doing cut it, because you will have to get your hand very close to the saw to make the cut.

I work construction over the summers, so I can only think of tools used on a construction sight. So if it were me I would try to remove the metal bands and make the cut on a table saw, band saw, or saws-all. A table saw would probably be the easiest and cleanest, and band saw wouldnt be bad but would require a steady hand because it doesnt have anything to hold the barrel steady and at the right distance to make the cut. A saws-all would be messy and not a smooth cut, you cut sand it out smooth but would require more work and the possibility of ruining the barrel.

If the metal bans are too thick to cut with tin snips, a wheel grinder would cut right through them. Or a plasma cutter, but i highly doubt you have one of those haha. The possibilities of tools are endless. It is all narrowed down to what you have access too.

 

[Zimmer]

Thanks! I think it did actually hold whiskey (or some type of alcohol) I will have to give it a sniff test once I get into it! My dad is a contractor, so I do have access to most of the tools you mentioned I just wasn't sure which would work best! And the metal bands will come off easy so I can trim them to fit separately.

If there are any lingering residues or odors can I clean and/or seal it somehow?

 

[kholtme]

I dont think you would be able to clean it enough to get the smells out because the whiskey soaks into the wood. But I honestly dont know. Maybe someone else can give you insight on this. You dad might be able to think of a tool that would work better. So id figure out if it would be safe for your gecko then ask your dad for help.

 

[Zimmer]

Well back to the drawing board... apparently taking the bands off was a bad idea. They were all that was holding it together! And yes, the inside was burned and I think did hold whiskey... it REEKED...... That's ok though, I found it at a garage sale it was free so no big loss.

 

[kholtme]

Probably broke for a reason, I dont think you would ever get those smells out! Do you need more cheap hides, or did you just think it was a cool idea?

 

[Zimmer]

I was just thinking it would make a neat hide! I have a box of gecko supplies coming from Amazon hopefully tomorrow or the day after :biggrin: AND I found a local breeder with cheap, healthy-looking babies that I get to meet this weekend!!

 

[warhawk]

I agree it would have been a cool hide but it's a good thing it broke. You could have sealed it but you would always have the risk of it poisoning the gecko. And sooner or later your gecko would have gotten sick from it.