How to make a cat play stand
I have had quite a few readers ask me for instructions to make a cat play stand, so here it is. This one is made using 16mm particle board that is inexpensive and easy to work with.
YOU WILL NEED:
2 of 580 x 580mm 16mm particle board - bottom and platform
3 of 300 x 400mm 16mm particle board - box front, back and top
1 of 258 x 300mm 16mm particle board - side
1 of 200 x 500mm 16mm particle board - ramp cut to length
1 of 200 x 200mm 16mm particle board - seat
3 of 50mm diameter PVC pipe cut to 400mm length
1 of 50mm diameter PVC pipe cut to 800mm length
Ponal wood glue
Pattex No More Nails
25mm screws
Sisal rope, 40m
TOOLS:
Drill / Driver plus assorted bits
Jigsaw and clean-cut blade
Corded drill (500W), 50mm and 44mm hole saw
Compound mitre saw
Tape measure and pencil
Workbench
Quick clamp
Buy all your materials and supplies for this project at your local Builders.
HERE'S HOW:
1. Use a jigsaw to cut out the platform as shown above.
2. Use a corded drill (500W) to cut out support plugs for the PVC pipes using a 44mm diameter hole saw. Follow our tips here for using a hole saw. You will need 5 plugs in total for this design.
3. Draw a line 30mm in from the sides and use a piece of PVC pipe to draw within this guide for mounting the plugs onto the base and underside of the platform. Centre the plugs and use wood glue and a couple of screws to secure in place.
4. Repeat this to mount a plug for the front section of pipe, but drill a 50mm hole in the platform for the longer PVC pipe to go through.
5. Assemble the box by securing the front and back onto the platform from underneath; insert the one side section and secure through the base and also through the front and back sections. Attach the top.
6. Now you are ready to join the base and upper sections together. Using Pattex No More Nails adhesive, apply around the outside of all the plugs. Pop on the 3 support pipes and the longer pipe
GOOD TO KNOW:
Place a quick clamp on the
longer section of pipe at 400mm up, so that it
will support the front of the top assembly.
7. Have someone on hand to help you lift the upper assembly onto the lower assembly, making sure to line up the plugs with the top of the PVC pipes. Wipe away any excess adhesive that oozes out.
8. While the front of the top assembly is held in place by the clamp, add 4 screws underneath the board to hold the platform in place once the clamp is removed. The screws should leave just enough head to support the board.
9. Cut the ramp to fit underneath the platform and on the front edge of the base. The top and bottom are cut at opposite 22.5-degree angles with a compound mitre saw. If you don't own a mitre saw you could use some steel angle braces to secure the ramp in place. Don't leave off the ramp as this provides essential support to the platform.
10. Wrap the PVC pipe with sisal rope using adhesive or a hot glue gun at the ends. For finishing the cat play stand you can cover with soft, plush fabric attached using sprayable adhesive, or use contact adhesive to glue on carpet tiles or carpet offcuts.
Here are more ideas for cat play stands:
