How to build a quality cat tree and DIY

These instructions illustrate building a 'hollow cat tree' perch that permits your cat to climb inside or outside the column. If you choose to have a solid pole, you can modify these plans or use a different material such as a 6x6 pine board. Also, you can substitute a hard cardboard 'concrete form' for your hollow post, but that will make fastening your horizontal trays more challenging. Concrete forms are available at most building supply stores (i.e. Lowes or Home Depot).

Most home workshops have the tools available to build this project. For novices, the only tricky part of this design is in ripping the bevel on boards that will be used for the upright hollow column.

As detailed as these instructions are, we make some basic assumptions. As an example, when we show the horizontal trays and the base, we assume that you do not need to have instructions as to how to cut and assemble a box-like structure. Below are the tools and materials you will need to complete this project.

Bill of materials

1x10 wood boards
3/8 Plywood
Screws, nails and staples
Shag carpet
Wood glue (Elmer's, etc.)
Carpet glue

Tools required

Electric drill
Staple gun (with 7/16 staples)
Hammer
Various C clamps, bar clamps and belt clamps
Table saw
Jig saw
Utility knife
Level and square
Measuring tape

Where to begin

The first phase of the project is ripping the boards with the proper bevel and assembling the 'hollow tree' column.

	Your finished hollow post will look something like this. Perfectly joined edges between boards are NOT necessarily crucial. The carpet that will be stretched around the form (and glued and stapled) will add tremendous strength to the post. Watertight integrity is not required

	You can buy 3" boards or larger widths such as 10" or 12", and rip the bevels on both sides of every board. The width of the board and the angle of your bevel will determine the size of your finished post. A degree of experimentation and personal preference is needed here. I chose a 5 degree bevel and board widths of approx. 1.75".

	When gluing your beveled boards together, it would help to have an extra set of hands to help stabilize the round form until you can get a belt clamp around your hollow pillar. You will find this step easier to accomplish if you glue numerous "sets" of 2 or 3 boards together, let them dry and then form your circle with the arcs.

Next, laying out holes and horizontal trays >