DIY Network

Lizard Lounge Pet lizards get a new home. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-305

Host Samantha Gleisten transforms a television console into a new home for the homeowners pet bearded dragons.

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Materials:

tv/radio console
pre-cut glass
1/2" plywood
3/4" oak strips
metal screen
plexiglass
sandpaper
metal hinges
wood hinges
gloss polyurethane
circular saw
table saw
chop saw
jigsaw
power drill
staple gun

	Figure A
	Figure B

1. Remove the doors, top, radio electrics, speakers, and component shelves (figure A). The radio face, speaker grill and television shelf should remain intact.

2. Cut a large arched opening between the TV and component area using a jigsaw.

3. Measure and cut three new Plexiglas shelf bottoms to sit on the interior surfaces.

4. Cut a rectangular hole in the top lid using a jigsaw. Staple a metal screen in its place from underneath.

5. Fill the holes and imperfections from disassembly with wood putty, and then sand the surfaces smooth (figure B). Stain the interior, and then apply gloss polyurethane.

6. Cut three new back panels out of 1/2 inch plywood using a table saw and circular saw. These panels should be cut to run with the back of the console. Stain and polyurethane the pieces to match.

7. Attach to the back of the unit by screwing small strips of wood to the middle of each side of the back openings. The strips should be able to swing and lock the back panel in place.

8. Have three pieces of glass custom cut to fit in the front of the console.

9. With a chop saw, cut 3/4 inch oak facing to line the edges of the glass, holding it in place.

10. Stain the oak pieces to match the console, and then apply gloss polyurethane.

11. Pre-drill the facing where it will hold the glass to the front of the console.

12. Attach hinges to the top lid so it can be easily opened for access to the cage interior.

13. Attach the glass to the front by screwing the facing in through the pre-drilled holes.

14. Construct a heat lamp fixture to attach to the top of the cage.

15. Assemble steel pipes in a "U" shape using two small threaded pipes, one large threaded pipe, two threaded corner connectors, and two threaded base connectors.

16. Attach three heat lamps to the long middle pipe of the assembly, and then run the wires behind the pipes and to a dimmer switch.

17. Screw the pipe base connectors to the top lid of the lizard cage.

Project Cost:

TV/radio console: $55
Acrylic glass: $30
Glass cutting: $20
Screen, wood, materials: $20

Total: $125