Build a cat tree for my cat

I have these two ugly but very sturdy upholstered stools that are basically cat furniture as it is – the cats love to sit on them and scratch them up. I think it MIGHT be possible to bolt one on top of the other and bolt them both to a big base, and then add some stuff to it (shelves, caves, ramps, extra sisal scratching, recover with carpet scraps, etc.).

If I can make this happen, it will be REALLY COOL.

I do need to find a drill though. And I might need a jigsaw or something similar, too.

I may not be able to use my landlord’s tools to build this. Mostly because soon, he will no longer be my landlord, if things work out as I anticipate.

I found out that I can get all my wood cut to measure at Home Depot, so sawing should not be an issue. Now what I think I’m lacking is a drill, and maybe a staple gun. I know that Home Depot rents out big tools, but I doubt that they rent out small hand tools.

I am sort of tempted to buy both a drill and a staple gun because they seem like tools that could be generally useful for many other projects. I could probably buy both for about $50. However…this is adding $$ to the cost of the cat tree, and the point of this goal is to get something cheap.

Any ideas about where I could get a drill a) for cheap or b) to borrow briefly? I’m willing to buy a staple gun, as they’re fairly cheap.

...but I can drive a nail and sink a screw. So I feel I should be able to do this!

Plus – my cats definitely deserve some perches and scratching posts of their own. And let’s face it: ready-made cat furniture is usually WAY overpriced. There are some small businesses out there making amazing stuff, but, em, it’s way out of my budget.

Also, it just seems like a fun and useful project! And there are quite a few ideas and plans available online.

I know carpet remnants are cheap, but I’ve put a request out to my local FreeCycle to see if I can pick up any at no charge. I should probably start simply…but then again, I have two cats, and I think it will be important to create at least two ‘good spots’ so there will be no squabbling.

I may have access to some of my current landlord’s tools (he is a sweet if crotchety older man, and loveslovesloves cats – he actually rescued the two I have). Also, I MAY be able to enlist my roommate’s help.

But…question…will they pre-cut plywood and such for me at some place like the Home Depot? That would be super-helpful.