Cat Projects

Here's a couple of nice,simple projects for those long winter nights.

The first is a scratcboard made with a simple 4 inch pine board available at craft stores and/or building supply stores. This particular one is wrapped with about 200 ft of 1/4 inch sisal rope.(it's 4 ft long) All I used was hand tools: jigsaw,drill and glue gun.
The cutout "paws" is so it can be hung up. Cost is under $20 and lasts much longer than the cheapo ones.

The second is a simple bench made with 3/4 inch plywood. Again you can get pieces in a building supply place,so you don't need a full sheet. This one was about 2 ft wide and abt 6 ft long. Decide how high you want it and cut the "legs" first. The rest is pretty straightforward. The brace between the legs is just a piece of 2 in x 1/2 fir strapping. Cutouts are made by tracing around a cardboard stencil of a favorite catshape from a calendar,etc. and made with a jigsaw. I made a drawing for the top and finished with urethane which makes a nice,glassy surface. You can also just glue on a nice kitty pic or two and cover with the urethane or simply glue carpet or whatever on the surface.

Happy tinkering.

Wayne - what neat ideas! I think the scratching post will be my first one though! Where do you find the time?

Wayne...I've said it before, and I'll say it again...you are one very talented guy!!

Debra...thanks,the basic construction doesn't take much time atall. The board should only need an hour or so. I drill holes and put the ends of the rope in,then glue them there. Works much better than nails or staples and much safer for kitty. I didn't use any wood treatment because most are toxic to cats;altho I'm told you can use beeswax safely.

A word of caution..if you want to use urethane on the bench be very careful. It's a 2-part mixture which uses resin. Be sure to have a very well ventilated area and use gloves. The fumes are dangerous. It takes some care to apply and starts setting up fairly quick,developing a "skin". Total drying may take a day or two depending on how thick you put it on. You might want to practice on a scrap piece first.

I thought of starting a business producing these sort of things,but freight,etc is a killer into the US from here. Not much local interest.

Debby,you slipped in there as I was posting.. Thanks much. Why is it I wonder tho that I'm not "talented" in something that makes money??:LOL: :LOL: Maybe I need an "agent".:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Maybe you could make some of these cat projects and sell them...I think people would be interested!

Down here in TX there is a thriving craft show circuit. I know it isn't such a big deal up in the Maritimes and New England, so I was surprised to see it here! Something like that might be good for you, if you can find it.

Why couldn't you put a small add in CatFancy or something like? You know "natural handmade cat furniture" and list your website, just a line or two shouldn't cost too much.

What about a booth at cat shows?

Just thinking out loud.

I think that's a really good idea, Sunlion. I think people would buy them, if the word got out, and he had a place to show his work!