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 have so many awesome ideas for this. Its going to be sweet! He’s going to love it, and hopefully leave my furniture (Actually since he got the new scratching post he’s given up on the sofa already), shoes and backpack alone.

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.

Actually, I made if for my little sister’s cat. He’s still afraid of it, though. ;p

My cat tree will be massive. Span the length of two rooms. A thick rod of spiraling sisal, branching to the ceiling and cat condos with aquarium windows. Yes, the Home Depot better have two shopping carts available.

She is my beautiful Russian blue cat born on Oct. 31, 2006. Yes, she was born on Halloween. Suits her personality just right! She love me so much, but she is so shy and cautious of strangers. She only comes out at night or when I am the only one home. She is extremely loyal to me, she will curl up on my lap and will always fall asleep at the foot of my bed. She follows me from room to room. I love her and I am going to build her a cat tree. I need to really start working on this.

Been thinking about this for awhile. Lots of work with no tools on hand :( Have also been looking at alternatives such as wall mounted shelves covered in carpet that would allow our cats to climb/walk their way up to the top of the room.

Cat furniture? The most shockingly overpriced thing in the pet store. Two by fours covered with carpet scraps – hey, I bet I can do that.

She deserves that cat tree I’ve been talking about forever!