1st project

[Kerr1992]

Hi guys,

So for my first project I want to attempt to put together some fancy cat shelves for my cat to climb.

Am I better off buying brackets or making brackets to hold the shelves and what kind of wood would be the best choice for shelving?

Cheers
Craig

 

[woodiedonald]

Well if you can find some nice brackets to buy, not the pressed steel type I'd probably buy those if I was you. making them isn't impossible either, Try and make some first, if they turn out to be a flop then buy some nice ones.

As for wood for shelving, anything really. As for cat shelving though, would the cat tend to scrape/claw or chew on the shelf? If so it may be best to go with a safer hardwood, beech would be good as it is naturally bacteria resistant. Avoid tannic woods like oak or tropical hardwoods like iroko which are oily and can cause allergic reactions for some.

Finish should be non toxic also, if it will be chewed on. Have a look around for food safe finishes or natural oils, pure tung oil, (has to have pure or 100% in the title, if it just says tung oil it tends to have chemical driers added in which are somewhat toxic.)

Hope that helps, don't hold it against me if I'm making strange assumptions about what cats do to shelves, I don't know much about cats.

Cheers
Donald