Sunday, June 18, 2017

A Little Repairing and Renewing



Though it was not one of the chores I set for myself during my holidays, I wanted at some point to wrap layers of sisal rope around parts of our cat-trees, repairing them, rather than buying new trees. After all, the ones I have are still structurally sound. I have been long threatening to make these renovations and, at long last, I have. Well, I have started, at any rate.


The inclined portion of the shorter cat-tree in the bedroom had been used by the cats as a scratching-platform so long that much of the carpet-like surface had been torn away, and the wood beneath was being ripped up by the cats’ claws. I was afraid they would get splinters, so I thought I would experiment first with that tree.


I neglected to take photographs of the ‘before’ phase, and I was not about to unwrap one hundred feet of rope once I remembered. However, this is the finished version. I used quarter-inch sisal rope, though, now that it is completed, I think three-eighths’ thickness may have been better. The shops I visited to buy the sisal did not have such a size, anyway. Half-inch was available, but that seemed too thick; it would not have been pliable enough.


I hope that the rope won’t unravel under feline attention; I will deal with that problem if and when it arises. The cats so far have not gone near it. I suppose this was predictable. However, it is now ready for them, if they ever decide to use it. In any case, this task has given me experience, so even if this tree goes unscratched, it won’t have been a waste of time. And as you can see, they were eager to show their gratitude.

You’re welcome, Cammie.

16 comments:

  1. I'm sure everyone is grateful to you for repairing their cat-trees. But I guess napping in a nice warm sun spot trumps a renovated cat-tree.

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  2. This made me smile. And I know that they will try it out in their own good time, but Cammie's gratitude :-) is what made me smile.

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  3. How did you put the sisal on, with a hot glue gun? Did you get the sisal from a box hardware store like Home Depot? I ought to take notes, some of the boys' cat trees are a little worse for wear and I tend to be lazy and replace, not repair. (Bad for the budget.)

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    1. In the case of this particular tree - because the 'carpet' surface was still strongly attached on most of it (just shredded in places) - I simply started coiling the rope around, covering up the loose end with more rope. The other end, after all the wrapping was done, was tucked into the coil and knotted. I pulled each revolution very tight. It may unravel at some point. With other trees, however, on which the wood is laid bare, I will be securing the ends by hammering thick staples or bent nails over them, then covering them as I coil. If the prongs of the staples are long enough, they will hold. I did buy the rope at a hardware store, in this case, Lowe's. Walmart had it, too, but it was cheaper where I purchased it. It is also available online at Amazon, I believe. I would like to replace the saddle-tree in the bedroom, as the carpetting on the saddle is worn out, and I couldn't replace that. But it's such a favourite tree that I would have to find one very similar, and haven't yet.

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  4. mom has rewrapped a couple of portions of different trees and remarks at while it looks nice when it is done, it is a pain....

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  5. oh - and about securing it - mom found something called cable staples at the hardware store that you can pound right into the tree using a hammer

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    1. Cable-staples, those sound like what's needed. Thank you.

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  6. Sunpuddles trump all.
    I love Cammie!

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  7. I did that a few months ago, my hands really hated it. Next time I might get some protective gloves

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  8. guyz...yur dadz on vacayshunz...unwrappin 100 feet oh sisal will keep him bizee fora day...why knot !!!! :) ☺☺☺☺☺♥♥♥♥♥

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  9. I am sure once the cats realize they have a fresh surface to sharpen their claws they will be very grateful for your hard work and considerate attention to their needs. The new surface makes the trees look as good as new. Your cats are so lucky to have you. Now I must vaccuum Holly's steps.

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  10. I'm certain they will discover it (perhaps some catnip might be enticing?) and like the new rope. Certainly a lot less expensive than buying another tree.

    Hope you find some time to relax on your vacation!
    Eileen

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  11. I need to do this too. Did you have to glue it on to get it to stay?

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    1. This time, I simply wrapped the loose ends under continuing coils of rope. But for other trees, where the wood is exposed, I intend to use thick staples, the kind that fixes barbed wire in place.

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    2. Thank you for letting me know. I will try to wrap the loose ends too because I don't think we have a stapler with the big staples.

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  12. Dad has a wrap of 3/8 cord and he brings it out to hold up to our well work scratching areas. I am not to blame being clawless but he better act fast as the tall tree may be past saving

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