r/cats • u/johneldenringg • 29d ago

Advice Don’t build a cat tree

Post image

It seemed simple and I was like + $100? For a big one ??? Nah I could build it… well I’m prob about $200 deep and need to get another 4x4 plywood from home depot and prob more carpet and cushioning for the top nest, as well as some sisal. If you think it’s a good idea and cheap? It’s not 🫩 especially if you have to buy a new circular saw cuz yours broke 😭😭
And yeah tbh it is a me problem but I also had to make sure the wood was cat safe to and not pressure treated.

18.5k Upvotes

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2.1k

u/SharaWilliams 29d ago

Jeez might be better off buying a cat tower and modifying it to fit these pieces in

1.3k

u/johneldenringg 29d ago

I’m just horrible at planning 😭

3.9k

u/Leg0Block 29d ago

Don't sell yourself short. Your execution ain't great either.

669

u/qathran 29d ago

Well your roast execution is top notch

55

u/TyrosineJim 29d ago

He had great material to work with

7

u/blargher 29d ago

Unlike OP who needs more material.

1

u/RyoTenukiTheDestroyr 29d ago

STAAAAAAAP OMG lol I'm crying

2

u/Ressy02 29d ago

The cat wishes he’s on the top notch

250

u/Extension_Meeting_28 29d ago

The small squares of carpet on the posts 😂

288

u/johneldenringg 29d ago

They’re temp for them not to get splinters 😭

225

u/Anxious_Storm_9113 29d ago

Yeah, splinters. That's what they're for.😂 I love the way your cat is looking at you. But seriously, you're a great owner and I hope your cat enjoys the finished project for many happy years to come.

207

u/Smooth_Impression_10 29d ago

Nah that cat is sleeping in the box of his new circular saw

59

u/INS_Stop_Angela 29d ago

This is the funniest Reddit thread in days

29

u/rawdatarams 29d ago

I'm so sorry you're getting roasted left and right, and that's just from the cat!

3

u/Buckykattlove 29d ago

That's a good idea!

2

u/V1carium 29d ago

Posts are the easy part though, you just need to wrap them in thick twine!

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u/Ooupss 29d ago

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u/EvaTheE 29d ago

boop

2

u/fr000gs 28d ago

please do not the cat

77

u/Fuzzy_Dragonfruit344 29d ago

Hahahahahaha 😂😆 Thank you! I’m dying laughing after a rough week! 🤣

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u/TobysGrundlee 29d ago

It's a little incomplete, but aside from that it looks like shit 👍

23

u/Bamulance 29d ago

That’s some funny shit 😂😂😂😂

4

u/RedHeadedStepDevil 29d ago

I’m laughing so hard I’m crying.

2

u/CptJustice 29d ago

OP catchin strays out here

89

u/reaper_858 29d ago

Even if it doesn't turn out well, you're doing more than 99% of folks, probably including anybody roasting you. Kudos for trying a new skill solely to make your cat happy! Keep at it. Nobody is a pro on their first pass.

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u/RubiiJee 29d ago

This. Op deserves both the praise and the roasting. We all fail at things but good on Op for trying and being honest about how it's going.

74

u/Joint-Tester 29d ago

You are awesome for doing it though. Your cats are lucky.

60

u/QuietWaterBreaksRock 29d ago

Look into SketchUp

It's a free piece of software that lets you 3d model, well, anything. A room and furniture? Sure

A piece of furniture with its pieces? Also sure!

You can plan which pieces you'll need, in what size and you'll see what the model will roughly look like once the whole thing is done, it's really helpfula and quite simple

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u/xRocketman52x 29d ago

Agreed. I'm a engineer and I mostly do computer aided drafting from a professional standpoint. I also have background in contractor work. But SketchUp is still how I do most of my personal projects, from designing a rack to hold half a dozen snowboards, to building a new wall in my basement, to building a 16'x16' deck.

It's a very, very user friendly drawing program, with a relatively high cap.

My only beef is that the clouds service for the newest version is down very frequently. The backend absolutely sucks. My desktop has an old version of SketchUp from like.... 2018, maybe? I've gone back to using that because it's a locally installed program, back before they tried to make it a subscription. If you can get an old version of SketchUp, you're set.

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u/VariationDry 29d ago

Did you start with a drawing or a Popsicle stick model first? I have made so much shitty cat infrastructure but its all modular and has been changed around many times over the years.
Dont buy new, up cycle old wood or buy off-cuts from home depot. The cat wont know.

33

u/darklux- 29d ago

skip the sisal rope and get carpet, if your cat is happy to scratch carpet. it’s much easier to install/replace carpet and no risk of them swallowing frayed rope string.

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u/FeedMe-Meow 29d ago

Get thick twine to wrap around the wood. It will turn each of the supports into a scratching post and make it look way less barren.

2

u/Forward_Rope_5598 29d ago

Brother, did you not look at literally a single cat tree in your entire life, this is so funny

2

u/Klutzy-Football-205 29d ago

I was told something along time ago that always sticks with me:

It is only a mistake if you don't learn anything. If you learn something it is an experience and life is made up of experiences.

I haven't fully built one from scratch (yet) but I have refurbed 3 so far and I learned something different each time.

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u/SharaWilliams 29d ago

You didnt think to check the prices before building? T-T

1

u/crotch-fruit_tree 29d ago

It's so much better to build. The tree is safer and much stronger!

Assuming you properly secure the boards & there's no sharp bits left lol.