The Rat-a-Sun Inn Project – Part Two The Build

So the first thing we needed to do was to pry the molding off and remove the doors, so I could cut off the left side. We used a small pry bar to pry the off the molding and pull the nails. Take your time and you can salvage most the lumber for the project.

This is the unit with the side cut off and the molding removed. It upside down because there was no support for the middle of the unit. I just added a piece of the a shelf to recreate the same support as the rightside
This is the unit with the side cut off and the molding removed. It upside down because there was no support for the middle of the unit. I just added a piece of the a shelf to recreate the same support as the right side

We ended up with more than enough wood for the shelving. I also have a bunch of reclaimed cypress which we used for the shelf trim, the shelf legs and supports for the shelves.

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Here are the two freestanding U shaped shelves unfinished.

 For the trim I made it about 1/4 in wide to leave a lip around the shelves. This would give the rats a little railing and hopefully keep them from falling off. There are two sets of legs that support the four selves and I added a couple of supports on the inside wall to support the wings on the u shaped shelves.

Here are the shelves in place. Notice the side supports for each U shaped shelf
Here are the shelves in place. Notice the side supports for each U shaped shelf

Since this was no longer a fine piece of furniture, we just used the nail gun to attach the trim, then finished the wood with a satin polyurethane finish.

Here is a shot of the whole thing put together.
Here is a shot of the whole thing put together.

We made the doors out of cypress and used simple lap joints on the doors.

Simple doors all they need is the wire.
Simple doors all they need is the wire.

 And the finished product, just add a couple of your favorite rats.

Everything is in ready for the new residents or rodents...
Everything is in ready for the new residents or rodents…

The Rat-a-Sun Project Part One