Who's afraid of powertools...!

[Silke]

So I got "The Fixins" for "Catio Numero Uno" yesterday, but it was too late to start the "Little" project.
This afternoon, after defusing various "I'm gonna kill her!!" moments, I started drilling and screwing and tackering.

Frames for Section 1 built, and all hinges on posts.

Section 1 and the door built.

Narrow side and wall side frames built. Long side to be done, you can see the wood leaning on the door.

Collection of frames.

Frame 1 meshed. (The overhang at the top is deliberate to discourage climbing out.)

Section 1 and the door attached, both meshed. Large frame is against the wall at the back, the other sections on the edge at the right.

I've stopped for now, I have 3 sections still to mesh tomorrow, but the weather is getting vile now.

Well, you get the idea, I think! (And a few of the damn posts were bent. But since it all gets hooked together, it shouldn't be a problem.)
The large section at the back is hinged onto the right side of the door/section 1 frame and goes into a wall for stability. The short section is also against a wall.

I will post pics of the finished article, but I do need 16 hands to hook it all together!

 

[janeypoos84]

How exciting!! This is gonna look amazing xx

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[Silke]

Dunno if it'll look amazing (it's purple!) but as long as I can open the door without losing 1-3 cats, it'll be worth it!

 

[Toa and Ross]

I found out who superwoman is...you @Silke! Amazing job. Like the purple colour. The girls will be so happy with their patio that mommy build for them.

 

[Cleopatra Beers]

I LOVE power tools! And give me a DIY any day! Yesterday, I was trying to convince Bob to get me a nice, powerful table saw. He just shook his head and walked away....
I love the enclosure, and your girls will also. Keep up the great work!
ETA: Purple is the new black, you know.

 

[Silke]

I had the choice of black, a horrible light blue, and purple.
So I went for purple.

 

[Maddie]

At least it's a pretty purple! But I might be biased..... I have purple hair lol

 

[Silke]

I tend to go for a plum color myself

 

[Catzzzmeow]

You mention about the overhang to hopefully keep them from climbing out. I would definitely build a roof. Chances of them climbing are pretty strong.

 

[Mal]

Looks good! Cant wait to see the finished product!!!

Pixie, Livy & Jez are all truly blessed to have such an amazing cat mom!

 

[Silke]

I am planning on using a "Cat Net" over the top, just in case.
The adventures continue. I realized my door was too close to the floor and won't swing open properly, so I added an extra 1cm slat to the bottom of each panel. I also added two extra stabilizer posts. (I had to go and get the wood first, so things have been slightly delayed.)
Two sections remain to be meshed. Once everything is built, the panels will be laid flat and weighted for a couple of days, because the wood is fresh and bendy.
I *may* put a 1m high extra mesh on the bottom, for stability, and so it can't be clawed through. Depends if I have enough mesh to do it.
All edges will be duct taped, so there are no sharp edges.
But after that... we are ON.

 

[Silke]

Last screen being meshed.

Just a view of the built sections in the back. You can see how crooked they are. More on that later.

Last screen finished.

All sections built and laid down for an attempt at straightening them.

Weight on top of all the screens.

Because the wood is so fresh, it bends. So I'm laying it down with weight on top to straighten them out a bit. Not sure if it'll work, but it's worth a shot.
It's raining heavily at the moment, so they can't go out anyway, but I'm planning on building the catio on Wednesday, latest.
Tomorrow I measure the rest of the mesh, to see if I can add another layer at the bottom on all of them. Once that is done, all the edges will be taped to prevent injuries. (No point doing it today, it's so wet, it'll only prevent it sticking.)
But yeah, we're on the home stretch now.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Hey there you hard working woman! Don't forget to give yourself a break now and then.

Looks really good. I'm reading it all with my mouth wide open in amazing...you really are superwoman!

 

[Sheldon13]

I'm really excited to see it go up!


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[Silke]

LOL not half as excited as I am, trust me! I just opened the door to see what the temperature is like -- and Livvy shot past me.
Grabbed her just in time.

 

[Maddie]

ESCAPE TIME!! Lol good thing you caught her!

 

[nudieluvr]

What a cool project! I can't wait to see how it turns out!! Your kitties will love it!!!

 

[Silke]

Some adjustments still to be made (Because the floor is terribly uneven) but it's in situ!
Still need a cat net for the top, too.

Livvy (Yes, LIVVY!) was the first to check out the new digs.

Jez was not far behind.

Livvy is a bit disappointed that it's not bigger. She probably thought I'm fencing in the whole garden.

While Jez has to check the wall.

...and stuff.

So there you have it.
Pixie stopped at the door, saying it's too cold.

Since it's allegedly going to be warm and sunny tomorrow, we put it in place tonight.

 

[Maddie]

AWESOME!

 

[Silke]

Leo, Clyde and the dogs will be most upset. Now they can't come into the kitchen anymore and try to demolish the cat food!

 

[sphynxmoms]

@Silke I second @Toa and Ross You are SUPER WOMAN! That is awesome. I think I may have to try something this summer for out on our deck. My hubby and I built it with the dogs in mind...we didn't have cats then, bu now we need and addition! You inspire me!!!

 

[nudieluvr]

Yay. It looks awesome!!!

 

[Silke]

The sunseekers are already out. The stable cats are not quite sure what to make of this thing. The dogs were whining because they thought I'm in a cage.
Pixie is "in her spot" and "in the zone". Livvy is in and out. Jez claimed the chair, watching birds in the trees.
Annnd five minutes pass...

Still dicey, but hey... Never thought I'd see this.
Told ya, outside is different. It gives me hope.

 

[Silke]

(P.S. It didn't last, but it's a start.)

 

[Jynxified]

A little fresh air to cleanse the mind and soul. Just need a little bistro table so you can sit and sip your morning poison of choice with them. lol I hope to get our cattio set back up and modified so the cats can come and go as they please.