New Cat Scratching Posts
The latest version of cat scratching posts are up for sale on the Handsome Etsy site. There is a floor-to-wall version that includes hardwood floor-like decks, and a wall-mounted version that also acts as a perch for kitty. Both feature a full size sisal wrapped column. These scratching posts are made from reclaimed wood shipping pallets from a local Human Society shelter.
Cat Tree/Stairs Prototype
After working through a ton of cat tree prototypes, I’m revisiting an idea that I actually had installed a few years ago when we lived in Berkeley. This is basically a combination cat tree and stairs, and in this case the stairs run along the face of a book case, allowing the kitties access to the top. This piece also has a small profile/footprint so it does not take up a lot of floor space or room space. The only needed attachment is a clamp that secures to one of the book shelves. The idea is that you could attach this to any bookcase in either direction, and also attach it directly to a wall or near a window.
Here are installation views of the prototype today, with Yuki giving it a spin.
As for scratching posts, I’m putting the final touches on the latest wall mounted version (made entirely from reclaimed pallet material), and will also produce a matching floor model. I’ll post updates of those soon.
Cat Scratching Post Request Completed
Here is the finished cat scratching post that I custom made to replace an old worn out carpet version for a neighbor’s cat. I replicated the old post’s leaning angle, which rests against a 90 degree corner with a shelf on top.
This post represents my latest approach in using recycled wood pallets to make furniture. The pallets I use come from a Humane Society shelter, which is a nice connection to this being a cat post. I intentionally left the surface wood planks uneven to give more of a rough wood floor look and feel. The side trim really made a difference in the overall feel of the piece, and I like the way that the planks run at angles to one another on the two different levels.
Busy Day
I’m a little behind on posting, but I have been busy in the shop! Yesterday I took a day off to reorganize the space and to build an extension on my overhead storage loft. I’ve reached that point where I have to be as creative as possible with storage space, and to be more selective with what wood is kept in the shop for projects and scraps. I used more of the same salvaged wood to extend the loft that I used in the construction of the original loft. Now I have space to store pallet material, which I am starting to use a lot of.
Today’s agenda includes: finish assembling my neighbor’s new cat post and apply a coat of stain; drill and insert brads into the slat lamp that I am rebuilding; mill wood for the new pill bottle lamp - I am going to make that out of pallet material as well; hand plane the new shelves for the cat tree, then assemble for testing with the kitties.
Never enough hours in the day!
Wall Mounted Scratching Post Progress
I installed the latest design of the wall mounted scratching post today, and I’m quite happy with it (so are the kitties!). This version is made of birch plywood, which I have stained with a dark Danish oil (it looks great as plain unfinished birch or you can stain it in any color that you like). I am toying around with multiple sections of sisal or manila, which allows easy replacement of just one section instead of having to re-wrap the entire post….and I will probably add a small section of Floor tile to the top of the post to help protect if from claw scratches.
