Cat Tree Phase 2 2002-03-15: The Side Ladder 

I get asked a lot what it takes to make a cat tree. Well, here's a small tutorial/example of what it takes on just the ladder portion of the cat tree.

Tools needed: oh.. lets see... 2x4's, carpet, carpet glue, wood screws, saw, measuring tape, wood pencil, some sort of carpet cutter (I just used a sharp box cutter), clamps, weights of some type to hold down the carpet while it dries (I used pepsi), and I think that's about it.. Shoulda taken an inventory DURING the project, heh!

First Step, measure and cut yer wood.
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First Step, measure and cut yer wood.
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Make sure it fits how ya want it to!
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Make sure it fits how ya want it to!
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Cut out yer carpet a bit larger than what is needed.
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Cut out yer carpet a bit larger than what is needed.
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Apply a LOT of carpet glue on the wood. It says it just needs a little. These are small and cornered pieces. You'll need a lot. You *can* use staples too, but carpet glue is MUCH cleaner.. Plus it won't give kitty something to pick at.
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Apply a LOT of carpet glue on the wood. It says it just needs a little. These are small and cornered pieces. You'll need a lot. You *can* use staples too, but carpet glue is MUCH cleaner.. Plus it won't give kitty something to pick at.
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FIRMLY AND EVENLY hold the carpet on the glue. You don't want bubbles!  Get creative, here i'm using 3 clanps and the 3 steps to evenly apply pressure to one another.
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FIRMLY AND EVENLY hold the carpet on the glue. You don't want bubbles! Get creative, here i'm using 3 clanps and the 3 steps to evenly apply pressure to one another.
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I call this the 'Who Dah? Pepsi technique' of holding down carpet for drying.
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I call this the 'Who Dah? Pepsi technique' of holding down carpet for drying.
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What the heck, throw a fan that i should be installing on top of it for more weight.
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What the heck, throw a fan that i should be installing on top of it for more weight.
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If you LIGHTLY scar the corners before folding the carpet, it will go a lot smoother... You don't want to cut *through* the carpet.. Just make a mark where you want it to bend.. HINT: picture where the pieces are going to be.. Picture WHERE you want the seams where the carpet meets to be..
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If you LIGHTLY scar the corners before folding the carpet, it will go a lot smoother... You don't want to cut *through* the carpet.. Just make a mark where you want it to bend.. HINT: picture where the pieces are going to be.. Picture WHERE you want the seams where the carpet meets to be..
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After all four sides have been glued, time to trim the pieces!
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After all four sides have been glued, time to trim the pieces!
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Here is all of the trimmed pieces.
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Here is all of the trimmed pieces.
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Afix to cat tree, insert cat!
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Afix to cat tree, insert cat!
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WOOHOO! He actually uses it!!!
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WOOHOO! He actually uses it!!!
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aak
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aak
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