DIY Fake Wood...the cheap way!

[SludgeMunkey]

I'm still around, sort of.

I have taken to merely lurking about as I got fired from my "day" job and am working on finishing a double major in biology and chemistry. (That is how I am going to get a real job working with critters one of these days!) The good news is the weather is shifting here now, so I am winding down from my home remodeling projects. This frees up time for more work on vivaria, my vivaria DIY book, and of course, enjoying my critters.

Sadly, I had to give up long ago on selling this fake wood. Truth be told, I just cannot keep up with requests.(And get easily distracted onto other projects) It takes me roughly three hours just to carve a 6 inch piece. I have also found the a pneumatic die grinder is superior to a dremel tool for this project. As I no longer have access to pneumatic tools, this slows the process down even more.

Right now, I literally have a room full of numerous vivaria projects in various states of completion, but I find my studies limit my available "play" time quite a bit.

[BG]

Johny i know how you feel. I started on a job way over due. Im cleaning out my boiler room . Its a job and a half. But it will make a nice little frog/critter room. I had to add new shelves . Sorry to here about your job. Its not easy today but we must hang in there. I like your "Imitwood" idea, see i even came up with a name.lol

[Poly]

Those logs are amazing! Sorry to hear the bad news reguarding your job, times are hard in a lot of places, but you will get through it... after all, you've got frogs!

[IrishRonin]

So i know this is an old thread but, GREAT job! I'm gonna have to try it myself. I am lucky enough to work at a animal park and like everyone said I have a small overhead so this is perfect. Thanks for the idea and if anyone asks I'd send them this way. Keep that mind rolling,new projects are always the best

[optimum]

that is what i call ART~ Very nice mate!

[RobinLee2011]

These do look great however please read the following:
Studies of construction fires point to another major hazard of playa burning. PVC -- the playa construction material of choice -- is highly dangerous to both personal health and the environment when burned. PVC is one of the worst offenders when it comes to toxic substances. PVC can emit highly corrosive and toxic hydrogen chloride when burned. It is also is a source of dioxin and phosgene gas when burned at temperatures below complete combustion. Coincidentally, phosgene, an odorless gas that can damage the lungs, is one of the substances used in chemical warfare. Samples of soot taken from fires in PVC-containing buildings that have burned have been found to contain dioxins in very high concentrations. The soot, however, represents only a small part of the problem: more than 90 of the dioxins produced in a structural fire are found in the gaseous phase and escape into the atmosphere.

For these reasons, PVC should never be burned. Please make sure anything to be burned is PVC-free.

[Sarosaurus]

I am thinking that my axolotls would love to have one or two of these in their tank. When you have some free time, I may just have to commission you for a couple of half logs and some branches (for my tree frogs).