[Hamlet's Keeper]

Hi

I was cruising again and just wondered if anyone has given making a cat enclosure with PVC tubing a go before? I'm thinking of making a largish cube fits onto the window on the balcony, open the window and cats can come and go as they please onto the balcony and what not. I know you can get freestanding enclosures but for such a small thing, the cost wouldn't be worth it. Maybe if I made the frame from PVC tubing and attached the cat net myself then it would be worthwhile. I could cable tie the thing onto the balcony railing at the ground so the cats couldn't tip it up and escape.

I found this handy site which shows many interesting structures made from PVC pipe, including an aviary. I'm going to cost it up at Bunnings later today and see if it would be doable. The cat net itself isn't very expensive. I'm not allowed to enclose my balcony because of bylaws etc. And I really want something that the cats can enter and exit themselves rather than me having to take them outside and place them in the enclosure then bring back inside. Lazy I know...
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[Jann M]

Would be good to see how you go, although I think you are more handy than I! It makes sense that it would be easy to assemble, strong and light whic is what you want - just getting interlocking tubes i guess could be tricky?

[bearsmum]

Dh likes the ideas as well i showed him the site he said it would be easy todo but his main concern was putting on the chicken wire. but then again you most probably get a round it maybe shade clothe or something like that

[Hamlet's Keeper]

Yeah I was thinking the proper cat net you can buy. It's only $3.50 per meter and it's 2m wide! Very cheap. If the PVC works out at less than $50 it would be worth it.

You know what would be really cool? If you had heaps of space to make one of those huge greenhouse tunnels, put shadecloth on the top and grow like a whole cat jungle in it. It would be like a bio dome for kitties...

This post has been edited by Hamlet's Keeper: 23 January 2009 - 07:23 PM

[jemappelle]

It's a very popular concept used in the US by breeders for internal cages. The only problem with having it outside is that the PVC would deteriorate and you would need to anchor it down.

[Hamlet's Keeper]

Well anchoring isn't such a big deal on grass. Strips of bicycle tubing around the PVC pipes anchored with tent pegs should do it. Deterioration sure, but PVC is pretty tough they make garden furniture out of it. I think this would probably appeal more to renters anyway, since it's something that can easily be dismantled and removed if need be. For my own I may just put the netting on the bottom as well to ensure no escapees.

[Dale]

If anyone is interested in doing this I would also recommend you go to REECE's etc. as you will be surprised at how expensive Bunnings can be. If you have sprinkler places (those that do Farmers and big Nurseries) close by you may also wish to try them.

If using shade clothe (cat netting) I would also suggest that you only glue one side of each join and use bolts on the other that way you can replace the shade clothe (cat netting) easily when required.

This post has been edited by Dale: 23 January 2009 - 09:49 PM

[Hamlet's Keeper]

Thanks for the tips Dale.

[jemappelle]

I thought you wanted to put it on your balcony, not on grass? It is easy enough to attach to brick work as you can drill holes in the mortar of the bricks and put the brackets over the pipe.

I have also seen the netting attached with the cable ties - they are about $2 for a hundred and easily cut if you want to dismantle it.

Oh I just remembered someone I know made theirs in panels and attached the panels together with cable ties - this made for very easy dismantling and moving around.

I also second Dale's tip to use a plumbing supply place.

[Hamlet's Keeper]

Yes concrete for me Jemapelle, I was just thinking outloud and wishing I had a place with a backyard. I'm renting so no drilling holes allowed but I do have a low railing on my balcony that I can cable tie it to, which might serve the same purpose.

[Dale]

If using cable ties get the black ones they are UV resistant and won't perish, the whites die very quickly in the sun and get them from Middy's or L & H or whichever Electrical supplier as you can get them in Pkts of 100 or 1000. For memory I paid about $75 for 1000 @ 200mm long.

This post has been edited by Dale: 24 January 2009 - 02:07 PM

[bearsmum]

see the pvc option would do me fine for now until we do something about the back yard plus i can get the pvc at trade price which is an added bonus (DH is a plumber lol)

[Hamlet's Keeper]

I'm so jealous, bearsmum. If I had a plumber-hubby I would be ordering an entire, fully plumbed amazon jungle complete with mini-waterfall, rainforest misting system for hot days, large ferns, natural logs suspended up high with airferns hanging off them. Oh yeah! But I'll settle for my DIY pokey balcony enclosure for now.

[bearsmum]

thats for when we get out of this hole of a house that we are in then i will do all that mind you the way i feel right now I'm beginning to think maybe never.

I'm being nice here we may have to wait for the FIL to drop dead so DH can inherit the family home do it up sell it and buy something big and NOOOOOOOO close neighbours

were living in his dads house that he brought in the 50's and were not allowed to do this house up. don't get me wrong i love living in the inner city but i hate the closeness of our neighbours and the gossip its like living in coronation street lol

This post has been edited by bearsmum: 24 January 2009 - 05:34 PM

[heartofhush]

Hi
I have actually made 2 out door cat enclosures out of pvc piping and from the research that i found you can only get the fittings from overseas.
I am considering to start making these cat enclosures and selling them.