Play Stand Construction questions.

I'm planning on building a playstand for my birds since the store bought ones are crazy expensive. I have a cheap Mainstays end table from Walmart that is made out of plastic and particle board that I don't mind being ruined. I've been planning on using untreated pine dowels for perches and construction.

I showed my boyfriend these plans and he's of the opinion that using the particle board table is a big mistake and drilling through it to attach the second tier is going to ruin the base. I'm not handy at all, so has anyone tried this? Is anyone married to or living with someone handy that has tried this?

Also, he said he could weld metal perches for the playstand and use an epoxy to make them sturdy. I'm not sure I'm a real big fan of this idea. Who knows if epoxy is bird safe? I sure don't, and I'm thinking that he certainly doesn't either. And besides, I like the fact that the birds shred appropriate wood surfaces. It keeps them from shredding anything else they can get their beaks around.

So, my questions..
1. Particle board, yea or nay?
2. Epoxy safe for birds?
3. What type of welds do you use?
4. Bird safe woods that are inexpensive?
5. Other suggestions?

I'll send you PM with suggestions

1. Particle board, yea or nay? Depends on what the binder used is. . . I guess I don't know if that can even be determined. I've used particle board for nest boxes. Never had a problem. I don't anymore just because they chew through it too fast.
2. Epoxy safe for birds? Depends I use "child safe" as my guideline. So if the product says it'll be safe after it's completely cured, then probably. Can you use aquarium sealant? That's safe after it's fully cured.
3. What type of welds do you use? No idea, so I guess my answer is - I don't
4. Bird safe woods that are inexpensive? Pine. Pine remnants from HomeDepot. I don't think pine's generally treated with anything, but double check as some woods are treated for insect resistance. Inexpensive place to get supplies - Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (basically an outlet/thrift store w/ building supplies)
5. Other suggestions? Use "child safe" as a general guideline.

Particle board no it is a blend of wood and chemicals try this...and VERY inexpensive a water heater pan they can be gotten at your hardware store (home depot) and are easy to drill into as well as being easy to clean. They also carry untreated hardwood dowels that have a longer survival rate than pine.

Blue rope was bought in dollar store, white in craft store on some sale. Rest is or from dollar store, or some sale or birds fair. I'm sorry that I couldn't make pics of single budgie there, but they really go on that tree. There was HIDDING HERE AT THAT MOMENT Chico was terrible afraid of the coconut mouth at the beginning, also home made by my bf, but now her fear gone :LyzGrace:

Margaret I love love your ideas and am going to steal some of them for my 'ties when they need monkey skills practice The 'zons would have it in toothpics in just about 10 minutes . I have a very cool branch from a pistachio tree trimming that we picked up in Arizona that the "zons just love and don't seem to have done much more than peeeled it.

flappinhappy wrote:

The 'zons would have it in toothpics in just about 10 minutes .

I don't want to imagine how fast all of the 'zons you have would change that tree in a one wood peace
That tree was my bf's idea For small birds is okay. Thanks!