How to build a cat tower

[EricL]

Difficulty: Beginner

This vertical climbing tower will give your cat lots of exercise, stimulation and fun as it climbs through six different levels and explores various spaces where it can hide, rest and play.

Steps

Step 1

Cut the timber to size. To make this project easier you can have your timber cut to size at your local Bunnings.

Here’s our cut list for this project:

• 5 pieces MDF 300mm x 400mm (tower levels)
• 1 piece MDF 200mm x 1200mm (tower spine)
• 1 piece MDF 300mm x 600mm (tower base)
• 5 pieces Pine 40mm x 18mm x 1200mm (supports)
• 3 pieces Pine 40mm x 18mm x 450mm (support covers)
• 2 pieces Pine 40mm x 18mm x 600mm (top cover)
• 2 pieces timber 30mm x 30mm x 450mm (feet)
• 3 pieces MDF cover spacers (bottom) 156mm x 230mm, (middle) 156mm x 230mm, (top) 156mm x 260mm.

Step 2

Lay the MDF spine of the cat tower (200mm x 1200mm) on the work table. Get the MDF base (300mm x 600mm) and centre both pieces to each other. Drill pilot holes at the back of the spine and attach the base to the bottom of the spine.

Attach the first MDF level (300mm x 400mm) on the right-hand side, 200mm above the base of the tower. Attach the other levels, each on the side opposite to the one before it so that the steps are staggered. Keep the 200mm gap between levels until you reach the final level, which you attach to the top of the spine.

        

Step 3

Attach the Pine supports (40mm x 19mm x 1200mm) on each edge of the front of the tower and one in the middle of the front, where the levels are in line with the spine. Turn the tower over and attach the Pine supports on each edge on the back.

  

Step 4

You now need three Pine cover supports. These should be about 450mm long. Measure from the bottom of the base to the third level of the tower. Use Pine offcuts as gap guides. Drill pilot holes and attach each cover support on the bottom and third level.

    

Step 5

Measure the gap between the Pine supports and levels and place a cover in that gap. Sand the MDF cover spacers down for a snug fit. Repeat for the middle and top portion. Since there is no shelf to drill into for the bottom of the MDF cover spacers, you must drill it from the side and use a 60mm screw to keep it supported.

        

Step 6

You’ll now need three more Pine support covers for the centre, two that go only from the middle level to the next, and one that goes from the middle level to the top one. Use a 12mm spacer between them. Put the top Pine cover for the Pine supports on the front and back to give your tower a nice finish.

      

Step 7

Attach the feet to the tower (you can skip this step if you’re attaching the tower to the wall).

Your cat tower is now ready for decoration and – most importantly – play time!

        

Materials

• 1 MDF sheet, 2400mm x 1200mm x 16mm

• 4 lengths Porta Moulding Pine, DAR Clear, 40mm x 18mm x 2.4m

• 1 length timber, 30mm x 30mm x 900mm (optional if attaching tower to wall)

• Timber screws, 8g x 40mm

• Timber screws, 8g x 60mm.

Tools

• Circular saw

• Timber clamps

• Mitre/corner clamps

• Combination square

• Tape measure

• Cordless drill

• Sander.

Images