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Secondhand wendy house conversion FINISHED internally
- Thread starter keletkezes
- Start date
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Yes: I would never site a shed, for buns or otherwise, directly onto the ground. Popping it on some bricks means it lasts longer and the water drains away off the bricks quicker! I've got a10-year-old birdtable that's rotting slowly because its feet are in constant contact with damp ground (either dirt or concrete), despite 3 years on a paving slab in the lawn (better than just concrete which gets wet all over: water doesn't drain quickly). It just gets moved around too much at the moment, poor thing! This one is on 8 bricks, 4 front and 4 rear, 2 under each runner joist. The floorplan isn't big enough to need a middle one (also, awkward to site!). The whole thing will be moved back closer to the fence once painted (might be a many-man job!).
I did do a couple of things this weekend: most crucially, I lacerated my hands and got at least 3 splinters (2 still insitu) making a 'gate'. Matt asked if I could step over it but seeing as I can actually only step 2 1/2" over the threshold, it didn't seem worth it, so I made a 8" high 'gate'. It opens the opposite way to the door, so along the wall. It's not square but I don't care XD
It's also not finished in case you can see the staples sticking out ;P
I then had a go at making a tube holder. It's not worked out too bad, actually: it works! I do need to add some stiffening 'rods' to the inside of the two bits of plywood as the inner one is being distorted (pulled outward) but I've some wood that'll work perfectly.
I also sanded the wood filler, treated the battens and tube holder pieces and screwed two massive hooks in the roof to hold up the wind-up LED lamp I bought at B&Q!
tulsi
Wise Old Thumper
Good job on the tube holder!
Its exactly like the one I bought from the Welfare Hutch Company.
Lopsy is one lucky rabbit!
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Apart from it's wonky ;P Works the same though, I got the idea from Welfare Hutch XD Lousie200 sent me the pictures of hers so I could cheat; thanks again Louise! :mrgreen: It's not like anything's square though: even the wendy house is on a slant because one of the runners is shorter than the rest!
Oh and he knows it! Spoilt little brat
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
You know how it was hot and sunny yesterday (well, here, anyway!)? Well, I checked on the wendy house, with all its perspex panels in place, and it wasn't that hot at 6:15pm (I'm quite heat 'sensitive'; it was cooler than the bus ). I think it's because it's further forward, closer to the house and in its shade. Gives me hope that the buns won't roast alive when they're in it though, especially because the panels won't be left in unless it's windy and wet and cold and not sunny, and it'll be white. I think the reflective roof insulation is working really well, because the roof usually holds a lot of heat and it was quite cool. Will still have to keep an eye on it once buns are in though: Lopsy's great as a radiator...!
Just a few weeks Really must try and finish it Tuesday as the rescue needs pictures of the finished article! Also need to go to Ikea to get a hay rack (£1.20 for a basket thing I can hinge ) BUT NOT a doll's bed. Hopefully... :lol:
). I think it's because it's further forward, closer to the house and in its shade. Gives me hope that the buns won't roast alive when they're in it though, especially because the panels won't be left in unless it's windy and wet and cold and not sunny, and it'll be white. I think the reflective roof insulation is working really well, because the roof usually holds a lot of heat and it was quite cool. Will still have to keep an eye on it once buns are in though: Lopsy's great as a radiator...!Just a few weeks
Really must try and finish it Tuesday as the rescue needs pictures of the finished article! Also need to go to Ikea to get a hay rack (£1.20 for a basket thing I can hinge ) BUT NOT a doll's bed. Hopefully... :lol:
orangediva
Mama Doe
It looks fantastic. I'd love to incorporate some of your ideas into my bun shed - like the mesh screen to stop them running out and the windows. My shed has a stable door and a full insect screen and wire mesh inner door but they can still run past me if I'm not quick when I open the door!
Its very handy having a runaround connector from shed to run - and interesting to watch where they go at certain times of the day when they have the choice.
Its very handy having a runaround connector from shed to run - and interesting to watch where they go at certain times of the day when they have the choice.
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Due to the large amount of photos this is going up as 2 posts
The inside is now finished I fixed a bracket to the under-table-side last night and meshed the hay rack.
Here are some photos from before it was fully finished with toys: note the table and under-door are not screwed in! The coir in the hayrack is for contrast purposes only ;P
And here's the finished table/windowseat with tunnel-cover. The tunnel-cover is to stop the using the tunnel when we don't want them to (we need to catch them for the vets, move the run etc.!) and it was a bit of an engineering feat!
Here is the door fitted in place:
As you can see, it needed to be recessed to avoid the hay rack (as it'll be open most of the time), although it does use the hay rack to bolt into. The bolt is at the top for easy access when it's open Being recessed, it also gives the buns more space.
This is the 'wall' piece the door bolts into. It goes from front to back across the whole width of the table (that was easiest) and is braced front and back. The cutouts are for the bolt, table fixer and skirting/batten. It's not pretty but it's functional and safe.
The inside is now finished
I fixed a bracket to the under-table-side last night and meshed the hay rack.Here are some photos from before it was fully finished with toys: note the table and under-door are not screwed in! The coir in the hayrack is for contrast purposes only ;P
And here's the finished table/windowseat with tunnel-cover. The tunnel-cover is to stop the using the tunnel when we don't want them to (we need to catch them for the vets, move the run etc.!) and it was a bit of an engineering feat!
Here is the door fitted in place:
As you can see, it needed to be recessed to avoid the hay rack (as it'll be open most of the time), although it does use the hay rack to bolt into. The bolt is at the top for easy access when it's open
Being recessed, it also gives the buns more space.This is the 'wall' piece the door bolts into. It goes from front to back across the whole width of the table (that was easiest) and is braced front and back. The cutouts are for the bolt, table fixer and skirting/batten. It's not pretty but it's functional and safe.
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Here is the 'finished' article: the door is bolted into the side and the wall fixed at the front. All the posts are fixed into the top of the table only (so lino can be removed), except the side one which is screwed to the wall as well. Means it moves about but the buns'll be safe enough XD
As you can see, I can't cut straight but I don't really care ;P It works!
Door open:
There should be plenty of space to get in out and round.
Bolted into/behind the hay rack (it's stiff anyway so not necessary).
With that finished, I got out the doublesided tape and some carpet which I cut to size.
The tape is not superstrong but it'll stop it slipping about, while remaining removable.
And finally, the anti-escape gate in place. It was hard to work out where to put the bolt but to avoid drilling holes in places, I just went with the bottom! Hopefully it'll just be temporary anyway, until I make a better gate or get a different method. We pretty much stole this idea from parsnipbun when we visited XD It won't stop escapes as such (they can easily jump it) but it will stop them just running out!
As you can see, I can't cut straight but I don't really care ;P It works!
Door open:
There should be plenty of space to get in out and round.
Bolted into/behind the hay rack (it's stiff anyway so not necessary).
With that finished, I got out the doublesided tape and some carpet which I cut to size.
The tape is not superstrong but it'll stop it slipping about, while remaining removable.
And finally, the anti-escape gate in place. It was hard to work out where to put the bolt but to avoid drilling holes in places, I just went with the bottom! Hopefully it'll just be temporary anyway, until I make a better gate or get a different method. We pretty much stole this idea from parsnipbun when we visited XD It won't stop escapes as such (they can easily jump it) but it will stop them just running out!
Bess&George
Warren Scout
That looks amazing! The attention to detail is impressive!
I like your hayrack, where is it from?
I like your hayrack, where is it from?
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
B&M Bargains (Towcester branch, in fact: I was visiting a friend!), £5.99
They had a massive square hanging one for £1.00 too! I wanted the £5 one from Wilkos but it had sold out Same sort of thing. It flips up and down on hooks so I can flip it down to fill it.
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Yes, I hadn't finished it when I was taking pictures but it's done now
I've just used chicken wire as it doesn't need to be chew proof (it's going to be checked every day anyway!) and it's easier to wrap round the existing iron supports with pliers! And I didn't scratch myself too bad ;PThanks everyone: I'm looking forward to finishing the outside too! I am having second thoughts about the roof supports as I think they'll just get in the way, but I've the eaves boards to strip, seal and paint and then the walls etc. themselves. Then we can push it back to its (final) resting position and relax (by which I mean sort the rest of the garden out ;P).
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
More internal pictures, now it's been a bit lived in! Took these after my midweek clean last Wednesday: they get a midweek sweeping session and a proper clean on the weekend if I have a chance.
A general view into the house from the door. The stool is covered by a very old hand towel that used to be on the windowsill. The hanging basket above is a square one and the stool means they can reach that and the top of the cat tree. Aboleth also likes to sleep there.
Looking across from the top of the cat tree: you can see the bottom of the hanging hay rack. Wall hay rack needs the top meshing as I found Lopsy in it the other day :roll: and if he gets scared while he's in it he might hurt himself. He did jump out sharpish when I looked in as if he was thinking "bum, rumbled!" :lol:
A better view of the hanging hay rack.
I put that piece of carpet back on the windowsill and they seem to like it Less digging though, what a shame :lol: I keep the water bowl under it so I can read it from over the door guard.
This is their favourite place to sleep
I can hang the hanging basket up by its corner to keep it more out of the way when cleaning, as it's at just the right height to be in the way all the time otherwise!
A general view into the house from the door. The stool is covered by a very old hand towel that used to be on the windowsill. The hanging basket above is a square one and the stool means they can reach that and the top of the cat tree. Aboleth also likes to sleep there.
Looking across from the top of the cat tree: you can see the bottom of the hanging hay rack. Wall hay rack needs the top meshing as I found Lopsy in it the other day :roll: and if he gets scared while he's in it he might hurt himself. He did jump out sharpish when I looked in as if he was thinking "bum, rumbled!" :lol:
A better view of the hanging hay rack.
I put that piece of carpet back on the windowsill and they seem to like it
Less digging though, what a shame :lol: I keep the water bowl under it so I can read it from over the door guard.
This is their favourite place to sleep
I can hang the hanging basket up by its corner to keep it more out of the way when cleaning, as it's at just the right height to be in the way all the time otherwise!
mabels mum
Warren Scout
I love it! I want a hanging hay rack but my indoor pen doesn't have a roof. Lucky rabbits. x
keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
We added the old (tiny) hutch back on as an extra area First, we jacked the hutch up on bricks to stop it rotting, then we added a tube in the 'usual' place for leaving the run:
They have 24/7 access to the hutch, run and playhouse now, and 3-4hrs access to the pen on grass (Lopsy starts digging after a few hours), or whenever-we're-home access to the on on concrete.
The setup has actually changed slightly since this picture: they don't jump out of the hutch into the pen but come out of a tunnel on the lower level, like Lopsy used to. Means the stool can stay in the playhouse!
We do have a litter tray/toileting issue but we just need to buy a smaller litter tray than the big one we have, but that's bigger than the little old corner one! I was in the house at 7am this morning cleaning wee up after our tray-swap experiment... :roll:
Also note the massive hawthorn 'tree': this is the sort of thing Matt brings home for them every day!
First, we jacked the hutch up on bricks to stop it rotting, then we added a tube in the 'usual' place for leaving the run:
They have 24/7 access to the hutch, run and playhouse now, and 3-4hrs access to the pen on grass (Lopsy starts digging after a few hours), or whenever-we're-home access to the on on concrete.
The setup has actually changed slightly since this picture: they don't jump out of the hutch into the pen but come out of a tunnel on the lower level, like Lopsy used to. Means the stool can stay in the playhouse!
We do have a litter tray/toileting issue but we just need to buy a smaller litter tray than the big one we have, but that's bigger than the little old corner one! I was in the house at 7am this morning cleaning wee up after our tray-swap experiment... :roll:
Also note the massive hawthorn 'tree': this is the sort of thing Matt brings home for them every day!
