Any DIYers amongst the TDKers?

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  • #831190
    Charlie
    Participant

    Hi all!

    I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

    We were kindly given a couple of pieces of cat furniture, and Guts loves them both already. The thing is that they’re super wobbly. Stability would be the first thing I’d check for before spending £50 +, but since these were donated to us……. *shrug

    Has anyone got any ideas for fixing/mounting them in place? I want Guts to be able to use them safely. However, as I rent the flat, I can’t do anything that will damage any surfaces. At least not so much it can’t easily be put right, lol.

    #831198
    JerseyJoan
    Moderator

    Hi Charlie – gotta love free stuff! Is it something that you can use good old duct tape on? Then wrap some carpet pieces on it and staple on if needed? If the feet are wobbly, maybe you can build up with a piece of wood, or cut down the feet that are making it wobbly? Oh and obviously look for screws that may need tightening – they may be hidden to protect kitty feet. Whatever you do, I’m sure Guts is going to love it!

    #831217
    Charlie
    Participant

    Hi Joan,

    Thanks for the suggestions. Just like my mum always says “cheap and free are our two favourite prices” 😀

    My main problem is with a tall scratching post, it has a box at the bottom and 2 platforms. I’ve tried to tighten up all the parts as much as they can be. The post coming out and the platforms on top of the thing are just too heavy! I’ve jammed some cardboard underneath the base, and shoved it up against the wall. Didn’t really do much, but helped a tiny bit. Maybe a big bit of wood underneath, like you said, will make it steady enough.

    I’ll get some duct tape to try with the other climbing post. Do you think that it could secure furry material to wood? That one is fine and sturdy, but it’s sitting on a wide windowsill. Every time Gusts gets too wild on it, it starts to shift ever closer to the edge. The only thing I could think of was drilling nails through the bottom to secure it. I don’t think my landlady would like that very much!

    I would have taken it down from there, but it gives him so much joy there. Plus he is always leaping up the window as part of his mad dash round the house. It’s nice to give him something proper to climb, rather then have him scrabbling up the glass and scratching everywhere in the process. XD

    #831240
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hey Charlie,

    I’ve DIYed a couple of cat trees over the years but I usually “wing” it. Here’s some links on building a cat tree so purrhaps you can find help here.

    http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cat-Tree
    http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/01/20-free-cat-furniture-plans-free-plans-for-cat-trees-condos-scratching-posts-and-more
    http://feline-furniture.tripod.com/

    Purrhaps, just attaching a spring tension pole to hold it against the ceiling will work. If all else fails, take pictures to your local hardware shop, explain your situation and see what advice they can give you.

    Good luck
    PG

    #831276
    ailuromaniac
    Participant

    The main issue with commercial scratching posts (and some DIY) is that the base has too small a foot print for stability with the height. I would take a larger piece of 3/4 inch plywood, carpet it and attach it to the bottom to give it a larger more stable brace. The taller the post, the wider the base.

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