Click here for professional cat tree plans that will help you get the job done right the first time around.

Building your own cat tree or cat house is a great idea. Your cats will love it and you’ll save a lot of money in the process if you follow the right set of cat tree plans. However, learning how to make a cat tree at home can also become very frustrating in a hurry and can leave you with nothing but a “hunk of junk” if you make the mistake of trying to save a couple bucks by going with free cat tree plans.

Don’t get me wrong, some good free cat tree plans do exist. They aren’t ALL junk. However, when it comes to building your own cat tree, there’s some truth to the saying, “You get what you pay for.”

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons free cat tree plans may not be the right choice for you.

Free Cat Tree Plans Don’t Always Give You Creative Control

Perhaps it’s just a personal thing, but one of the biggest complaints I have with free cat tree plans is they don’t give you a lot of creative control. You’re often stuck with only one cat tree design, and it usually isn’t exactly what you’re looking for. It can become extremely difficult to modify anything to make a unique cat tree to your own specifications.

That may be one reason I like the cat tree plans at Best Cat Trees. They are “mix and match” and the instructions are detailed enough that it’s fairly easy to add posts, shelves, cat condos, or cat houses to make a cat tree that is unique or that fits specific space requirements in your home.

Free Cat Tree Plans Often Have Poor Instructions

Once you’ve built several diy cat trees, the process is really quite simple. But that first one always seems to be a bear if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. You have to be able to get your holes lined up, properly stretch and attach carpet, wrap sisal rope around posts, and make sure everything is sturdy enough that a large cat isn’t going to knock it over if they jump up to the top shelf.

Often times free cat tree plans won’t give you detailed enough instructions to get the job done right. It becomes extremely frustrating if you get half way through your diy cat tree project and then realize you’re stuck because you don’t quite understand how all the pieces are supposed to fit together or how to properly wrap the carpet around each shelf.

Free Cat Tree Plans Often Have Poor Explanations Of Materials

Just like you can’t build your own cat tree effectively without the right plans, you also can’t build it effectively without the right tools and materials. When free cat tree plans tell you that you need some wood, some screws, and some carpet, it still leaves plenty of questions to be answered. For example:

• What type of wood should I use? How thick should it be?

• Should I use wood or PVC for my posts?

• What type of screws do I need to attach posts and shelves? How long should they be?

• Does it matter what type of carpet I use? Does it need to have certain characteristics to make it safe for my cat?

Best Cat Trees shows every step in detail with pictures, diagrams, and complete material lists so you know exactly what you need to build a cat tree that will stand the test of time. There’s no need to waste money by buying things you don’t need or wasting materials due to poor cat tree instructions.

Free Cat Tree Plans Often Don’t Stand Up To Their Biggest Critics – The Cats Themselves

Cat trees built from free cat tree plans are often poorly engineered. Sure they look ok when you’re done, but as soon as your large Maine Coon jumps on the top rung, the cat tree starts to wobble like crazy and may even fall over. Posts and shelves do nothing if they aren’t properly designed to be stable and sturdy. There’s no reason to waste your time making a cat tree your cats won’t use because it scares the bejesus out of them every time they jump on it.

Free cat tree plans may have an intriguing allure, especially in today’s economy, but for under $10, you can save yourself a lot of hassle and get professional cat tree plans straight from the manufacturer that will save you time and money and will provide a superior product your cats will love.

Still Prefer To Buy A Cat Tree Instead Of Making One Yourself?
Here are the best deals on top rated cat trees.

]]> http://howtomakeacattree.com/freecattreeplans/feed/ 0 http://howtomakeacattree.com/catinabox http://howtomakeacattree.com/catinabox#comments Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:00:42 +0000 Derek http://howtomakeacattree.com/makeacattree/?p=35 We’ve become big fans of Simon’s Cat over the years. His animations are incredible and they hit very close to home for us cat owners. It’s time to sit back, relax, and watch as Simon shows us why a simple cardboard box makes the best type of cat furniture, cat condo, and cat scratching post. Enjoy.

For complete, illustrated and photographic instructions on how to make a cat tree, I recommend ==>  Best Cat Tree Plans

Plywood And PVC

Plywood makes an excellent material for building the base and shelves of your cat climbing tree.  Stick to a thickness of around 5/8″.  For most designs, you’ll need between 15 and 20 square feet, but the most economical way to purchase the material is to buy a full 4 x 8 sheet (32 square feet) and cut it yourself since buying pre-cut sections is generally more expensive.

Plywood is a strong material that also has a bit of weight which will make the cat tree much more sturdy and suitable for larger adult cats and larger cat breeds such as the Maine Coon.

Posts can be made by using 3″ PVC or they can be constructed out of solid wood.  I’ve found PVC provides more options when creating posts and I also like the round, finished appearance they give.

If you choose to use PVC, you’ll need wooden 2×4′s that can be used to cut plugs for attaching the PVC to the base and shelves.  For an average sized cat tree, you’ll probably need around 200″ of material regardless of whether you go with PVC or wooden posts.

Carpet

Carpet will be used to cover the base, shelves, and posts.  It can be purchased off the roll or from scrap bins at many carpet outlets.  Choose whatever color you desire.  For an average cat tree, you’ll probably need around 60 square feet.

When picking carpet, stick to a type that is non-loop so your cat’s claws won’t get snagged and opt for medium pile and medium weight carpet.  Pile simply refers to the length of the carpet fibers and the weight is how thick the carpet is.

Most plans for cat trees recommend medium pile (3/8″ to 1/2″) and medium thickness because if the fibers are too long or the carpet is too thick, then it will be difficult to work with and attach.  Similarly, if the carpet is too thin or the fibers are too short, then you’ll be able to see the backing when you fold it around the corners and edges of the shelves.

Tools And Hardware

During the construction process, you’ll need a variety of tools and hardware for cutting, shaping, and attaching the various parts of the cat climbing tree.  For example, you’ll want a hand saw, table saw, jig saw, or skill saw for cutting the base, shelves, and posts as well as a drill to attach them.

The hardware you decide to use to attach everything can be left to your own preference, but you will need things like:

• #12 and/or #14 wood screws or nails (I prefer screws so you have the option to disassemble the tree if necessary)
• 1/4″, 7/32″, and 11/32″ drill bits
• 4 1/2″ x 5/16″ metal dowel screws or 1/4″ diameter bolts with threaded nut inserts for attaching middle shelves
• Belt sander (or alternative) and a 3 1/4″ hole saw for creating wooden plugs if you choose to use PVC for your posts
• Utility knife and straight edge for cutting carpet as well as 3/8″ staples for attaching it
• 1/4″ Sisal rope for creating scratching posts

Building your own cat tree from a good set of cat tree plans can be a fun weekend project, and even if it takes you a little longer, your cat will still love you for it.

Cost is the first and most obvious problem you’ll have when searching for a cat tree to buy.  In most cases you’ll need to be willing to spend at least $75 for a well built tree.  But $75 is on the low side of the cat tree spectrum.

You can spend more than $300 depending on how elaborate you want to get.  In most cases, you get what you pay for, but there are plenty of good cats trees in the $75-$150 range.

Aside from cost, another problem you’ll run into with store bought cat trees is most aren’t designed for larger cats.  They simply don’t offer enough support or are made from cheap materials.  When a large cat reaches the top it has a hard time maintaining balance because the cat tree rocks all over the place.  Many will even tip over because they aren’t balanced properly.

The “tipping factor” will cause your cat to avoid the tree and also poses a health risk if it were to fall and land on your kitty.

By building your own cat tree, you can greatly reduce your costs.  Building a cat tree also allows you to design a structure specific for your cat’s needs.  You can address things like your cat’s age, your cat’s health, and your cat’s personality.  Here are 3 things to keep in mind before you start any DIY cat tree project.

How Much Are You Willing To Spend To Build Your Own Cat Tree?

Before building your own cat tree, it’s important to sit down and consider your budget.  How much are you willing to spend to make a cat tree instead of buying one?  Your budget comes into play when deciding how elaborate you want your tree to be and what kind of materials you want to use.

When you build a cat tree, the possibilities truly are endless.  A good set of cat tree plans will point you in the right direction.  Once you know the building basics, you can infuse your tree with a little creativity to create something truly unique.  Keeping an eye on your budget ensures there won’t be any unwanted surprises at the end.

What Is Your Cat’s Personality?

No one knows your cat better than you do, and your cat’s personality can play a big role in the type of cat tree you decide to build.

Is your cat playful and adventurous?  Does she like to explore things? Is she the first one to jump inside a paper bag you bring home from the grocery store?  Or is your cat more the Garfield type who prefers to lounge around without a care in the world?

Is your cat a show-off who likes to be out in the open for everyone to see, or is she the secretive type who prefers secret hideaways where no one can find her?  Is she a “people cat” or is she shy and timid?  When you know how your cat prefers to spend her time, you can build a cat tree specifically for her.  There’s no doubt she’ll love you for it.

How Old Is Your Cat?

The age of your cat is another consideration when deciding how to go about building your own cat tree.  Young kittens and teenage cats are full of energy.  They need outlets for that energy so they don’t tear up the house.  A more elaborate cat tree that’s more like a kitty jungle gym may be the best option for a younger cat.

If, on the other hand, your cat is older, it may prefer to just have a couple of large shelves it can stretch out on all day.  To make the cat tree more accessible you may need to add ramps or stairs, particularly if your cat suffers from mobility problems.

Cat Tree Plans

A good set of cat tree plans can help you get started building your own cat tree.  Best Cat Trees offers several different designs with excellent instructions and pictures to show you exactly how to accomplish each step.  Once you understand the steps you need to take and the right order to take them in, you can let your imagination run wild. 

Have fun spoiling your cat!

An excellent way to keep your favorite feline healthy and happy is to give her a cat tree she can play, scratch, and lounge around on.

However, there’s a real problem with cat trees.  They aren’t cheap.

If you take a look around, you’ll quickly see cat trees can range from $75 to over $300.  However, if you don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars, there’s a better solution…

Learn how to make a cat tree yourself!

Building your own cat tree can keep a substantial amount of money in your pocket.  It’s not as difficult as it might sound, and it’s a lot of fun too.

The major drawback is you’ll have to invest a little bit of your own time and effort into the project.  With the right set of cat tree plans, you can turn it into a simple weekend project.

Just be warned, once you start building, you may not want to stop when you realize the endless possibilities you have to create the perfect kitty funland.

When you make a cat tree, you can match it to your own cat’s unique personality.  And no one knows your cat better than you.

If you have a playful kitten, you can add lots of cat toys to the design to keep your cat from getting bored.  If you have an older cat, you can add ramps or stairs to make the cat tree easier to access.  Add extra support for a heavier cat.

When you build a cat tree yourself, you can create exactly what you…and your kitty…want!

Thanks for stopping by! Throughout this blog you’ll find useful tips and information to help you build your own cat tree.

Have fun and be sure to leave your comments and questions!  I’d love to hear from you.