DIY Projects for Cats and Dogs. Armelle Rau
and will blend in with your décor. Look for small diameters (so that you won’t see large screw heads everywhere). You will need a variety of screw lengths to make all the projects in this book. If you can, buy an assortment to always have a variety on hand. Otherwise, carefully review each project to ensure you select the best screws for the job before beginning. In general, screws should be long enough that you can get 1 to 1½ in (2.5 to 4 cm) of threads into the board you’re screwing to (as long as the board is thick enough to accommodate that).
Colors
We intentionally limited the colors used in the projects in this book. Our objective was not to save money on paint or brushes, but to make it easier for you to picture these pieces in your own home. Keeping them depersonalized here allows you to imagine how you will decorate them to your own taste. We can, however, advise you on a few points regarding the paints you will use.
First of all, the second coat of paint is always the most important—don’t neglect it. When the first coat of paint has dried, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. This will help the second coat of paint to adhere better.
If you want your project to be durable, don’t skimp on the quality of your paint. A better brand of paint can often guarantee quality and durability. We tend to prefer matte colors that blend in well with minimalist or Scandinavian interiors, but use whatever works for you.
Many of these projects will look good painted. For a high-quality finish, we recommend that you do not skimp on your paintbrushes. Whatever the size, avoid the lowest-priced brushes. They will lose their bristles and leave indelible marks on your new piece of furniture. On large surfaces, use a roller to save time and distribute the paint evenly. To prevent streaks, don’t forget to brush or roll the paint in one direction for the first layer, then in the opposite direction for the next layer.
PROJECTS FOR CATS
Radiator Cat Bed
Difficulty
Did your cat disappear hours ago? Don’t panic–he’s probably curled up somewhere warm. Cats love cozy, out-of-the-way places. If you have radiators in your home, they may be the perfect place to hang a bed for your cat.
WARNING: This project is designed for hot-water radiators in homes heated by gas or oil (usually older houses and apartment buildings). Electric radiators can overheat and cause a fire if they come in contact with a combustible object.
Materials
• 1 sheet OSB (oriented strand board)
• 2 furring strips, about 2 ft (60 cm) each
• 2 shelf brackets, minimum about 8 in (20 cm) on shortest arm
• 4 corner braces, about 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm)
• 2 nuts and bolts to fit the corner braces
• About 12 screws
• Fabric and foam
• Glue
Tools
• Power drill/screwdriver
• Staple gun and staples
• Saw
• Scissors
Making the bed
1. Cut the furring strips to the desired length, referring to the photo of the finished project—you determine the distance between the top of the radiator and the bed.
2. At the top of each furring strip, screw on a corner brace.
Choose your corner braces carefully—their shape will determine the success of your project. Use metal corner braces, which will hold up better under pressure, heat, and repeated use.
3. At the bottom of each furring strip, on the side opposite the one with the corner brace, screw on a shelf bracket.
4. At the top of each furring strip, use a nut and bolt to attach a second corner brace to the first corner brace to form a U; this is what will fit over the radiator.
5. Screw the board to the shelf brackets as shown. Make sure you choose a screw that is short enough not to go through the top of the board. If the screws do slightly break through, use adhesive putty to cover the tips.
If you can find someone to help you, this step is easier with two people.
6. Glue the foam to the top of the board, cutting to foam to size as needed.
7. Lay the fabric over the foam, staple it to the underside of the board, and cut off any excess fabric.
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