I have a device that processes audio, and has balanced audio input and output. It supposed to accept +4dBu Line level, but it is right now calibrated to lower level. I need to add up to 15-25dB attenuator to its input. The input is balanced XLR, and somewhere on the PCB it is converted to unbalanced signal. The easiest thing would be to add is stereo audio potentiometer before the input balanced signal (to the XLR input). 1. Is adding audio potentiometer as attenuator the best solution? 2. If so, is adding stereo audio pot to the unbalance signal better than modifying the PCB having the unbalanced signal? (in terms of not introducing distortion or noise) 3. which (professional) audio potentiometer would be recommended: 3.1 brand? (professional level, balanced stereo, low noise, low distortion, durable, small about 0.5" diameter, etc.) 3.2 model number or technology / material description of the component? 3.3 What value should I use? (I am guessing large impedance of 1M or more is needed. Should comply with Line signal specs.) 3.4 Log or linear pot? 3.5 reference to where to purchase such. … and Shine!
> I have a device that processes audio, and has balanced audio input and > output. It supposed to accept +4dBu Line level, but it is right now > calibrated to lower level. I need to add up to 15-25dB attenuator to > its input. The input is balanced XLR, and somewhere on the PCB it is > converted to unbalanced signal. > The easiest thing would be to add is stereo audio potentiometer before > the input balanced signal (to the XLR input). > 1. Is adding audio potentiometer as attenuator the best solution?
Possibly. A more likely approach would be to use a classic XLR mic attenuator. These work for line level signals as well. Here’s one that I’ve had good luck with – the Audio Technica AT8202: http://www.audiotechnica.com/guide/other/access/inline.html#AT8202
The Rane website has instructions for how to build attenuators and terminating resistances.
> The Rane website has instructions for how to build attenuators and
terminating resistances. < More here: www.ethanwiner.com/gadgets.html
> The Rane website has instructions for how to build attenuators and > terminating resistances.
I see there the transformer used to convert between unbalanced line to a balanced one. But they don’t specify the transformer having +12dB. Can anyone help in that? Another issue, on the balanced side the XLR’s GND pin is connected to the chassis, but I don’t see any connection to the transformer’s winding middle wire. Is there any missing additional connection to the chassis (between the chassis and the transformer)? So what makes the chassis the "zero" reference with respect to the two other pins of the XLR / transformer?
> The Rane website has instructions for how to build attenuators and > terminating resistances. > I see there the transformer used to convert between unbalanced line to > a balanced one. But they don’t specify the transformer having +12dB. > Can anyone help in that? > Another issue, on the balanced side the XLR’s GND pin is connected to > the chassis, but I don’t see any connection to the transformer’s winding > middle wire. Is there any missing additional connection to the chassis > (between the chassis and the transformer)? So what makes the chassis the > "zero" reference with respect to the two other pins of the XLR / > transformer?
With balanced lines, you don’t want or need a ground reference… that’s the beauty of them, and why they are used for very long (*very* long) runs. Let the ground float. __ Steve .
OK, thanks, So now the issue of the right transformer to be used. I want to convert between -10 dBV unbalanced line level to +4dBu balanced line level. Most transformers I find at Mouser & Digikey are for 1:1 conversion, For example: Triad Magnetics TY-146P 553-TY146P (it has access to the middle of the coils, is that useful for anything?) I found such at Rane, does anyone know what such transformer is used for example at the following Rane? http://www.rane.com/bb22.html http://www.rane.com/pdf/bb22dat.pdf – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>The Rane website has instructions for how to build attenuators and >>terminating resistances. > I see there the transformer used to convert between unbalanced line to >a balanced one. But they don’t specify the transformer having +12dB. >Can anyone help in that? >Another issue, on the balanced side the XLR’s GND pin is connected to >the chassis, but I don’t see any connection to the transformer’s winding >middle wire. Is there any missing additional connection to the chassis >(between the chassis and the transformer)? So what makes the chassis the >"zero" reference with respect to the two other pins of the XLR / >transformer? > With balanced lines, you don’t want or need a ground reference… > that’s the beauty of them, and why they are used for very long > (*very* long) runs. Let the ground float. > __ > Steve > .
> OK, thanks, > So now the issue of the right transformer to be used. I want to convert > between -10 dBV unbalanced line level to +4dBu balanced line level. > Most transformers I find at Mouser & Digikey are for 1:1 conversion, > For example: > Triad Magnetics TY-146P 553-TY146P > (it has access to the middle of the coils, is that useful for anything?)
It’s actually a physical impossibility to convert from a low-level high-impedance circuit to a high-level low-impedance circuit without doing some amplification. Passive devices won’t do it. __ Steve .
> OK, thanks, > So now the issue of the right transformer to be used. I want to > convert between -10 dBV unbalanced line level to +4dBu balanced line > level. Most transformers I find at Mouser & Digikey are for 1:1 > conversion, For example: > Triad Magnetics TY-146P 553-TY146P > (it has access to the middle of the coils, is that useful for > anything?) > I found such at Rane, does anyone know what such transformer is used > for example at the following Rane? > http://www.rane.com/bb22.html > http://www.rane.com/pdf/bb22dat.pdf
Check out the Jensen transformer’s site. You want a transformer that provides about 11 dB voltage gain, which would come from an approximate 1:3 turns ratio. You want a line level transformer so that it won’t distort at higher levels and low frequencies. http://www.jensentransformers.com/datashts/123alcf3.pdf This is a very high quality part, and priced accordingly. You can pay less and you will probably get less. Audio transformers need to be of very high quality if minimal degradation of sound quality is desired. If you want something that isn’t a raw part, this product seems to be very appropriate: http://www.jensentransformers.com/datashts/dinpc.pdf Jensen is not a huge company and IME their staff is very customer-oriented. You might be able, with minimal effort, to coax them into building you one of these with a different transformer: http://www.jensentransformers.com/datashts/ci2rr.pdf
>It’s actually a physical impossibility to convert from a low-level >high-impedance circuit to a high-level low-impedance circuit >without doing some amplification. Passive devices won’t do it. >__ >Steve >.
11 db gain? where is the extra energy coming from if you do not use amplification. I agree. Even impedence matching introduces some LOSS. , _ , | MKA: Steve Urbach , | )erek No JUNK in my email please , / / / Running United Devices "Cure For Cancer" Project 24/7 Have you helped? http://www.grid.org
> It’s actually a physical impossibility to convert from a low-level > high-impedance circuit to a high-level low-impedance circuit > without doing some amplification. Passive devices won’t do it. > __ > Steve > . > 11 db gain? where is the extra energy coming from if you do not use > amplification.
Obviously with a transformer, the energy comes from nowhere. Instead, a transformer works when the source impedance is considerably lower than the load impedance. This is usually the case in audio.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> It’s actually a physical impossibility to convert from a low-level >> high-impedance circuit to a high-level low-impedance circuit >> without doing some amplification. Passive devices won’t do it. >> __ >> Steve >> . > 11 db gain? where is the extra energy coming from if you do not use > amplification. > Obviously with a transformer, the energy comes from nowhere. > Instead, a transformer works when the source impedance is considerably lower > than the load impedance. This is usually the case in audio.
Here’s the original poster: <> > So now the issue of the right transformer to be used. I want to convert > between -10 dBV unbalanced line level to +4dBu balanced line level.
</> I had misread the ‘dBu’ as ‘dBV’… you are correct, this should be possible, if the original poster actually did mean microvolts balanced. Seems a simple balun and an attenuator is in order… __ Steve . you misread it too, Tony?
>I have a device that processes audio, and has balanced audio input and >output. It supposed to accept +4dBu Line level, but it is right now >calibrated to lower level. I need to add up to 15-25dB attenuator to >its input. The input is balanced XLR, and somewhere on the PCB it is >converted to unbalanced signal.
Buy two Shure A15AS attenuators. They’re switchable between -15, -20 and -25 dB. Reliable. Inexpensive. — Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled on trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was to first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to then convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit from stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully (I emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark 10 (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build my own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t have much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to me in comparison to an old fender-based circuit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Duh… I just looked on their site a little more (after my original post) and it turns out that they in fact discuss "super-charging" the single 6v6 amp kit into a dual 6v6 kit. Sounds perfect for my needs. And no, I have no affiliation with these guys!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled on > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was to > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to then > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit from > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully (I > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark 10 > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build my > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t have > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to me in > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is the little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no affiliation with them, either). I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills but the instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful when I ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around the house. I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d bother with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled on > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was to > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to then > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit from > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully (I > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark 10 > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build my > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t have > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to me in > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ray for the response. He’s running a special right now with the tone control and a color-photo instruction book for $199. Definitely the best deal, price-wise, I’ve found. I’m going to price out the single-ended 6v6 amp on angela’s site and compare, but my guess is that I’ll go with the stf kit simply because of the already punched chassis, which I have no interest in doing myself (I don’t have the tools, and price is a consideration for me for this project, nor do I have any idea exactly how the punching is done).
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is the > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > affiliation with them, either). > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills but the > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful when I > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around the > house. > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d bother > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled > on > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was > to > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to > then > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit > from > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully (I > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark > 10 > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build > my > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t have > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to me > in > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ray, What’s the volume like? I just ordered the amp kit today, but had Pat upgrade the transformer so that another 6v6 can be added in parallel down the line. He also is making the cutout in the chassis for the extra tube if in fact I choose to soup-up the kit in the future. I was hoping that with the dual 6V6GTs I would get over 10 watts with it. Also, one thing I’m concerned with is noise/hum. Is yours very noisy? I am expecting some noise as I think it comes with the vintage territory, but I’m just hoping it’s not a lot of noise. For anyone out there lurking that is following this thread, I do plan on taking pictures along the way and recording some sound clips of the amp once completed so that others will have an idea of what to expect from it.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is the > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > affiliation with them, either). > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills but the > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful when I > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around the > house. > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d bother > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled > on > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was > to > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to > then > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit > from > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully (I > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark > 10 > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build > my > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t have > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to me > in > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mark, With one 6V6 and an 8" speaker it’s not quite loud enough to play with a relatively soft drummer. I tried it at rehearsal, once; standing directly in front, I could hear me but nobody else could. It breaks up early and by the time the volume is at 2:00 it’s into serious compression. Past that it doesn’t get noticeably louder but thickens up. I’ve thought of adding the 2nd tube, too. With a 12" speaker, it would be a decent rehearsal amp. As it is, it’s fun for fooling around. Mine is not very noisy at all.– at 12:00 with nothing plugged in I can bearly make it out over my computer’s power supply fan (both about 3 feet from where I’m sitting — and it’s not a terribly noisy computer). I expected more noise. I was very careful, though, with the solders and routing the wiring. The instructions were good. Do post the pictures. Ray
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ray, > What’s the volume like? I just ordered the amp kit today, but had Pat > upgrade the transformer so that another 6v6 can be added in parallel down > the line. He also is making the cutout in the chassis for the extra tube if > in fact I choose to soup-up the kit in the future. I was hoping that with > the dual 6V6GTs I would get over 10 watts with it. > Also, one thing I’m concerned with is noise/hum. Is yours very noisy? I am > expecting some noise as I think it comes with the vintage territory, but I’m > just hoping it’s not a lot of noise. > For anyone out there lurking that is following this thread, I do plan on > taking pictures along the way and recording some sound clips of the amp once > completed so that others will have an idea of what to expect from it. > I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is the > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > affiliation with them, either). > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills but > the > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful when I > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around the > house. > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d > bother > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had settled > on > > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan was > to > > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to > then > > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit > from > > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully > (I > > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how it > > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I don’t > > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt Trademark > 10 > > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to build > my > > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just jump > > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t > have > > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to > me > in > > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Ray. After doing a little bit of reading, my thoughts are to make the double 6V6 Champ and put it into a 2 x 10" speaker cabinet, with the speakers wired in parallel so as to bring their impedance down to the necessary 4 ohms (I’m not seeing any 10" speakers rated at 4ohms so I believe this would be the only way). For those people knowledgeable on electronics (which I am not obviously), please confirm my thinking or rip me to shreds : )
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Mark, > With one 6V6 and an 8" speaker it’s not quite loud enough to play with a > relatively soft drummer. I tried it at rehearsal, once; standing directly in > front, I could hear me but nobody else could. It breaks up early and by the > time the volume is at 2:00 it’s into serious compression. Past that it > doesn’t get noticeably louder but thickens up. I’ve thought of adding the > 2nd tube, too. With a 12" speaker, it would be a decent rehearsal amp. As it > is, it’s fun for fooling around. > Mine is not very noisy at all.– at 12:00 with nothing plugged in I can > bearly make it out over my computer’s power supply fan (both about 3 feet > from where I’m sitting — and it’s not a terribly noisy computer). I > expected more noise. I was very careful, though, with the solders and > routing the wiring. The instructions were good. > Do post the pictures. > Ray > Ray, > What’s the volume like? I just ordered the amp kit today, but had Pat > upgrade the transformer so that another 6v6 can be added in parallel down > the line. He also is making the cutout in the chassis for the extra tube > if > in fact I choose to soup-up the kit in the future. I was hoping that with > the dual 6V6GTs I would get over 10 watts with it. > Also, one thing I’m concerned with is noise/hum. Is yours very noisy? I am > expecting some noise as I think it comes with the vintage territory, but > I’m > just hoping it’s not a lot of noise. > For anyone out there lurking that is following this thread, I do plan on > taking pictures along the way and recording some sound clips of the amp > once > completed so that others will have an idea of what to expect from it. > > I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is > the > > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > > affiliation with them, either). > > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills but > the > > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful when > I > > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works > > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around the > > house. > > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d > bother > > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > > > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on stf-electronics > > > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had > settled > > on > > > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan > was > > to > > > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful to > > then > > > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this kit > > from > > > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s slightly > > > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and hopefully > (I > > > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind how > it > > > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > > > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I > don’t > > > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt > Trademark > > 10 > > > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to > build > > my > > > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just > jump > > > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela doesn’t > have > > > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > > > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal to > me > > in > > > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds excellent . You can order most Webers (http://www.webervst.com/ — where the speaker elite meet) in whatever impedance you want but 2 8 ohm 10" speakers sounds like a good choice if you plan to add the second power tube. This is, of course, from someone who probably knows less about electronics than you.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks Ray. > After doing a little bit of reading, my thoughts are to make the double 6V6 > Champ and put it into a 2 x 10" speaker cabinet, with the speakers wired in > parallel so as to bring their impedance down to the necessary 4 ohms (I’m > not seeing any 10" speakers rated at 4ohms so I believe this would be the > only way). For those people knowledgeable on electronics (which I am not > obviously), please confirm my thinking or rip me to shreds : ) > Mark, > With one 6V6 and an 8" speaker it’s not quite loud enough to play with a > relatively soft drummer. I tried it at rehearsal, once; standing directly > in > front, I could hear me but nobody else could. It breaks up early and by > the > time the volume is at 2:00 it’s into serious compression. Past that it > doesn’t get noticeably louder but thickens up. I’ve thought of adding the > 2nd tube, too. With a 12" speaker, it would be a decent rehearsal amp. As > it > is, it’s fun for fooling around. > Mine is not very noisy at all.– at 12:00 with nothing plugged in I can > bearly make it out over my computer’s power supply fan (both about 3 feet > from where I’m sitting — and it’s not a terribly noisy computer). I > expected more noise. I was very careful, though, with the solders and > routing the wiring. The instructions were good. > Do post the pictures. > Ray > > Ray, > > What’s the volume like? I just ordered the amp kit today, but had Pat > > upgrade the transformer so that another 6v6 can be added in parallel > down > > the line. He also is making the cutout in the chassis for the extra tube > if > > in fact I choose to soup-up the kit in the future. I was hoping that > with > > the dual 6V6GTs I would get over 10 watts with it. > > Also, one thing I’m concerned with is noise/hum. Is yours very noisy? I > am > > expecting some noise as I think it comes with the vintage territory, but > I’m > > just hoping it’s not a lot of noise. > > For anyone out there lurking that is following this thread, I do plan on > > taking pictures along the way and recording some sound clips of the amp > once > > completed so that others will have an idea of what to expect from it. > > > I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine is > the > > > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > > > affiliation with them, either). > > > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills > but > > the > > > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful > when > I > > > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it works > > > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around > the > > > house. > > > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think I’d > > bother > > > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > > > > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on > stf-electronics > > > > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had > settled > > > on > > > > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the plan > was > > > to > > > > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is successful > to > > > then > > > > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this > kit > > > from > > > > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s > slightly > > > > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and > hopefully > > (I > > > > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind > how > it > > > > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > > > > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I > don’t > > > > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt > Trademark > > > 10 > > > > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to > build > > > my > > > > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just > jump > > > > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela > doesn’t > > have > > > > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the original. > > > > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t appeal > to > > me > > > in > > > > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > > > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Yeah I’m hoping that I can make this amp loud enough eventually to bring to small clubs for open blues jam nights. I think as long as I have the dual 6V6s and 2 10" speakers, it should be able to cut through quite nicely. We’ll see : )
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sounds excellent . You can order most Webers (http://www.webervst.com/ — > where the speaker elite meet) in whatever impedance you want but 2 8 ohm 10" > speakers sounds like a good choice if you plan to add the second power tube. > This is, of course, from someone who probably knows less about electronics > than you. > Thanks Ray. > After doing a little bit of reading, my thoughts are to make the double > 6V6 > Champ and put it into a 2 x 10" speaker cabinet, with the speakers wired > in > parallel so as to bring their impedance down to the necessary 4 ohms (I’m > not seeing any 10" speakers rated at 4ohms so I believe this would be the > only way). For those people knowledgeable on electronics (which I am not > obviously), please confirm my thinking or rip me to shreds : ) > > Mark, > > With one 6V6 and an 8" speaker it’s not quite loud enough to play with a > > relatively soft drummer. I tried it at rehearsal, once; standing > directly > in > > front, I could hear me but nobody else could. It breaks up early and by > the > > time the volume is at 2:00 it’s into serious compression. Past that it > > doesn’t get noticeably louder but thickens up. I’ve thought of adding > the > > 2nd tube, too. With a 12" speaker, it would be a decent rehearsal amp. > As > it > > is, it’s fun for fooling around. > > Mine is not very noisy at all.– at 12:00 with nothing plugged in I can > > bearly make it out over my computer’s power supply fan (both about 3 > feet > > from where I’m sitting — and it’s not a terribly noisy computer). I > > expected more noise. I was very careful, though, with the solders and > > routing the wiring. The instructions were good. > > Do post the pictures. > > Ray > > > Ray, > > > What’s the volume like? I just ordered the amp kit today, but had Pat > > > upgrade the transformer so that another 6v6 can be added in parallel > down > > > the line. He also is making the cutout in the chassis for the extra > tube > > if > > > in fact I choose to soup-up the kit in the future. I was hoping that > with > > > the dual 6V6GTs I would get over 10 watts with it. > > > Also, one thing I’m concerned with is noise/hum. Is yours very noisy? > I > am > > > expecting some noise as I think it comes with the vintage territory, > but > > I’m > > > just hoping it’s not a lot of noise. > > > For anyone out there lurking that is following this thread, I do plan > on > > > taking pictures along the way and recording some sound clips of the > amp > > once > > > completed so that others will have an idea of what to expect from it. > > > > I can’t offer any advice but I bought and built one last year (mine > is > > the > > > > little brown one at the bottom of the STF home page — and I have no > > > > affiliation with them, either). > > > > I had no idea what I was doing and have only basic soldering skills > but > > > the > > > > instructions were pretty clear and Pat Bunn (STF) was very helpful > when > > I > > > > ran into problems. I still don’t have any idea what I did but it > works > > > > (somebody stop me, please…) like a champ. Great for playing around > the > > > > house. > > > > I got the pre-drilled chassis and the tone control. I don’t think > I’d > > > bother > > > > with the tone control, if I was to do it again. It’s always full on. > > > > > Has anyone here built the champ kit that is offered on > stf-electronics > > > > > website? I have been looking to build my first tube amp, and had > > settled > > > > on > > > > > trying the angela’s single ended amp (not the super, though the > plan > > was > > > > to > > > > > first build the single 6v6 based amp and then if that is > successful > to > > > > then > > > > > convert that to the super/twin 6v6 amp). However after seeing this > kit > > > > from > > > > > stf I’m thinking perhaps that may be the way to go since it’s > slightly > > > > > cheaper and it comes with a book explaining how to build and > hopefully > > > (I > > > > > emailed them asking to verify) the theoretical explanation behind > how > > it > > > > > works so that I can apply the info to a larger amp. > > > > > My eventual goal is to be able to build a 15 – 20 watt tube amp. I > > don’t > > > > > have a real need for a champ amp, as I enjoy my little 10 watt > > Trademark > > > > 10 > > > > > (solid state I know!) for practicing at home. But I have wanted to > > build > > > > my > > > > > own amp for a long time now and so I don’t know that I should just > > jump > > > > > right to trying to build the super single-ended amp as angela > doesn’t > > > have > > > > > much help/info on that one on their site like they do the > original. > > > > > I have seen the ax84 site and heard the clips and it doesn’t > appeal > to > > > me > > > > in > > > > > comparison to an old fender-based circuit. > > > > > Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
> I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out > in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in > mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it.
When I built my rack I made a small roof with about a 20-degree slope out of a composition corrugated roofing material from the local borg. This rack sits against a tall retaining wall so the roof only slopes away from the wall. This rack is in a protected area that never gets any direct sun and has little air circulation and the roof seems to be good at allowing wood to dry properly under these difficult conditions. — John McGaw [Knoxville, TN, USA] Return address will not work. Please reply in group or through my website: http://johnmcgaw.com
> >I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out >in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in >mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it.
I built 4 wood holders using discarded pallets. -2 pellets horizontal on the ground. -a vertical pallet at each end of the 2 that are already on the ground. drive a stake/metal T fence post to anchor the vertical pallet. (so, 2 vertical pallets) -2 or 3 pieces of 2×4 lumber 8 foot long. nail these on top of the vertical pallets. – put a sheet of old 4×8 plyywood on top of the rafters (err the 2×4s) -nail some scrap roof tin above the plywood. makes a great shelter, the wood really dries up fast under this with all the air flow. It is also strong enough to hold 3 feet of heavy snow or the weight of someone on top shovelling the snow. Its best if you angle the roof a bit lentghwise, so that melt water will rundown easy. also, if you have any, put some roofing felt paper underneath the tin. goodluck
Hi, This probably goes w/o saying, under no circumstances, no matter how tempting, or how little – especially in the basement or garage… NEVER STORE MORE WOOD INSIDE THAN YOU NEED FOR THAT NIGHT. Even a small stack can introduce a bug or mold problem into your home that you don’t want to have to deal with… don’t ask me how I know 
Kevin O’ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out >in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in >mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it. > Don’t worry about it. Store the logs bark side up, and they’ll shed most of > the rainwater. If you’re still concerned about keeping it dry, just cover the > stack with a tarp, and weight the tarp down with a few pieces of firewood.
> While we’re on the subject, would anyone know if stacking the wood > in a big pile, neatly placed almost like a haystack, allow the wood to
dry? 1. Wood dries best when sheltered from rain overhead but exposed to wind and warmth at the sides of the stack. For this reason stacks are usually built one stove length deep, and as high as is safely stable, 4 or 5 feet (and 20 inches deep and as long as you llike.) 2. Wood stacks must be raised off the ground to prevent moisture wicking upwards. Pallets are a cheap way of doing this. Most are wide enough to proovide footings for two stacks of firewood a foot or more apart. 3. "Drying" here means reducing the moisture content inside each chunk of firewood. Even hardwoods like maple can rot or develop fungi in some conditions. Local experience is that firewood should dry for two years and should be burned before the fifth year. If left longer it may rot. — Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out > in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in > mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it. > Cover is only needed if it is going to snow. Use a plastic tarp in the > winter to keep it dry and ready to use. The rest of the year it makes no > difference. > About 20 years ago the Vermont Casting people did a test on wood not > covered, clear covered, black covered. They found no difference in the > dryness of the wood six month later. > A cheap way to store the wood is on sturdy pallets. Chimney stack the ends > (cross stack). I’ve been using the same pallets for 10 years. I stack the > ends about 4 feet height, but the center I go to about 5 feet. > Ed > http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
I too used to "chimney stack" but got tired of the time it took to select the pieces needed to keep the stack straight. Finally built a couple of bookends (for lack of a better word) out of scraps I had. 4′x20" pieces of 1/2" cdx with two 1×4"x6′ tall sticks 1′ from the end of th ply. Two more 1×4 braces from the top of those angled down to the ply. The 3′ end of ply goes under the stack and I can almost just toss pieces against the bookends as long as I avoid putting too many pointy pieces causing pressure outwards. Been using them for 5 years now and never had a failure. Time saving is tremendous. Harry K
While we’re on the subject, would anyone know if stacking the wood in a big pile, neatly placed almost like a haystack, allow the wood to dry? I’ve seen this done in a few yards and I think I’ve seen it in some magazine before (Mother Earth News or something), where the woods all piled up in a big half ball. I’ve always wondered if the wood in the middle got to dry properly. It looks like it would be easier to pile than the conventional method (cord wood stack), and less likely to be toppled over. Anyone know if this method’s any good?
>I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out >in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in >mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it.
Don’t worry about it. Store the logs bark side up, and they’ll shed most of the rainwater. If you’re still concerned about keeping it dry, just cover the stack with a tarp, and weight the tarp down with a few pieces of firewood.
> I’m considering several options to create a firewood storage rack out > in the yard. Using 6×6’s and 4×4’s I’ve got most of the plans in > mind. Having trouble finding how to build a small roof over it.
Cover is only needed if it is going to snow. Use a plastic tarp in the winter to keep it dry and ready to use. The rest of the year it makes no difference. About 20 years ago the Vermont Casting people did a test on wood not covered, clear covered, black covered. They found no difference in the dryness of the wood six month later. A cheap way to store the wood is on sturdy pallets. Chimney stack the ends (cross stack). I’ve been using the same pallets for 10 years. I stack the ends about 4 feet height, but the center I go to about 5 feet. Ed http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
Hi! Can someone please help me? I have a 3 foot space at the end of my base cabinet, and i would like to install a dishwasher in this space. First, all it is, is a space. No cabinetry or counter to house a dishwasher. I suppose I will need to extend the counter right over the dishwasher space and build some kind of wood side?? I plan on tearing off my old 1970’s laminate counter anyway, in favor of tile. So I guess this would be good timing to extend the counter out. But being the idiot that I am, I dont know how to build the side. Does anyone know of any book or website that can help me? Or if not, where would I go to get someone to build this for me? Please advise me! I need help!
> Hi! Can someone please help me? I have a 3 foot space at the end of my > base cabinet, and i would like to install a dishwasher in this space. > First, all it is, is a space. No cabinetry or counter to house a > dishwasher. I suppose I will need to extend the counter right over the > dishwasher space and build some kind of wood side?? I plan on tearing > off my old 1970’s laminate counter anyway, in favor of tile. So I guess > this would be good timing to extend the counter out. But being the idiot > that I am, I dont know how to build the side. Does anyone know of any > book or website that can help me? Or if not, where would I go to get > someone to build this for me? Please advise me! I need help!
You can buy standalone dishwashers that typically have a cutting-board style top and finished sides. Then all you need is the plumbing for it.
> Hi! Can someone please help me? I have a 3 foot space at the end of my base > cabinet, and i would like to install a dishwasher in this space. > First, all it is, is a space. No cabinetry or counter to house a dishwasher. I > suppose I will need to extend the counter right over the dishwasher space and > build some kind of wood side?? > I plan on tearing off my old 1970’s laminate counter anyway, in favor of tile. > So I guess this would be good timing to extend the counter out. But being the > idiot that I am, I dont know how to build the side. > Does anyone know of any book or website that can help me? Or if not, where > would I go to get someone to build this for me? > Please advise me! I need help!
You could do a number of things. You could make a finished end at the DW’s side, or you could put in a 12" cabinet or open shelves. If you terminate the run directly with the DW, the top could be splayed in, if desired. How to approach this depends on what cabinets you might be trying to match. If they’re something unavailable, a cabinet shop or good carpenter might be your best recourse. — Paul Batchie
How far is it from the sink? —
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi! Can someone please help me? I have a 3 foot space at the end of my base > cabinet, and i would like to install a dishwasher in this space. > First, all it is, is a space. No cabinetry or counter to house a dishwasher. I > suppose I will need to extend the counter right over the dishwasher space and > build some kind of wood side?? > I plan on tearing off my old 1970’s laminate counter anyway, in favor of tile. > So I guess this would be good timing to extend the counter out. But being the > idiot that I am, I dont know how to build the side. > Does anyone know of any book or website that can help me? Or if not, where > would I go to get someone to build this for me? > Please advise me! I need help!
Its about 2 ft from the sink
> Its about 2 ft from the sink
I’m sure you’re aware that dishwashers are normally right next to the sink. I recommend that you open up that 2 foot section for the dishwasher and put a new base cabinet on the end; or, if possible, move that section over 2 feet to install the DW next to the sink and not buy anything new other than head and toe boards for the DW.
This is a great suggestion – thanks!
In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. Thanks, Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Hi Justin, Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll get some ideas. Hope this helps. http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 Best wishes and happy ponding, June (Pa)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > Thanks, > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Beautiful…… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi Justin, > Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll > get some ideas. Hope this helps. > http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 > Best wishes and happy ponding, > June (Pa) > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > Thanks, > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Nice job, I’d like some more specs on the filter, and filter to pond size ratio if you don’t mind. Also, how’d you connect the pipe to your filter, what is the medium…?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Beautiful…… > Hi Justin, > Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll > get some ideas. Hope this helps. > http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 > Best wishes and happy ponding, > June (Pa) > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > > Thanks, > > Justin > > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Me too. ( Pond specs and ratio of pond size to filter size.) I am thinking of a veggie filter too. Your pond is beautiful. Hope my new one is half as good. Mary Szy
> Me too. ( Pond specs and ratio of pond size to filter size.) I am thinking of > a veggie filter too. > Your pond is beautiful. Hope my new one is half as good. > Mary Szy
First , thanks to all for your compliments. Specs.. the rule I followed was the one I first heard from other seasoned ponders in this newsgroup. The veggie filter<water volume> should be no less than one-tenth the water volume in the pond that is being filtered.That said, our larger pond is approx. 1650 gallons and the filter contains approx. 170 gallons. ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m wrong) The (outer) dimensions of our veg. filter is 8′ x 4′ with 1′ depth The water (pumped up from lower pond)enters the back of the filter through a PVC manifold which allows the water entering to bubble up gently as opposed to water rushing out through a straight pipe. The plants we used in our filter included water iris (bare rooted in a basket), water hyacinth, Pennywort, water celery and watercress (which grow like crazy) Coleus (unpotted also) and also had potted pickerel rush and varigated rush. The more fibrous rooty plants, the better. We also hung a bale of barley straw at the back of the filter where the water entered. Best wishes to all and best of luck with your ponds..enjoy! June (PA)
> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below.
I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I can see if what I’m thinking will work? Justin
> ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it > is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number > but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m > wrong)
To calculate the number of gallons in a rectangular pond: Length (ft.) x Width (ft.) x Average Depth (ft.) x 7.5 = volume of water For example, if your pond is 4 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 2 ft. avg. depth x 7.5 = 480 gallons. Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > Justin
Hi Justin, I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the spillway. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614
Thanks, Justin. I figured I was wrong, it’s been awhile my math formulas rusted in my brain. June (PA) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it > is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number > but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m > wrong) > To calculate the number of gallons in a rectangular pond: > Length (ft.) x Width (ft.) x Average Depth (ft.) x 7.5 = volume of > water > For example, if your pond is 4 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 2 ft. avg. > depth x 7.5 = 480 gallons. > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > Justin > Hi Justin, > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > spillway.
Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks! Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
> I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
My liner covers the entire upper pond and continues down into the basin and then into the lower pond. It ends about 2 inches into the lower pond. I didn’t want the plants to wash out of the basin, that is why the flow is slow. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614 http://www.users.fast.net/~maebe/index.htm
Justin, This sounds like a larger scale version of what I have. I made a large mound of soil, scooped out the basin, and lined the whole thing. The rocks went on after as "window dressing" and were glued down with Great Stuff. The waterfall is watertight without the rocks though. The first 3 I built leaked because I tried to skimp on liner and use rocks to control the flow of water. The rocks behind the actuall fall of water are stacked and mortared in to give the appearance that the entire mound is stone, but most of it is really soil and broken concrete from a deconstrucion project. So I guess what I’m saying is "liner under everything!" HTH — Cheers, Laura http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > > Justin > Hi Justin, > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > spillway. > Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I > would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream > that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like > to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks > for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so > that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that > feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more > filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the > falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup > (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more > instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
Justin, I just found the book I used as a ref. when building my waterfall. It’s called How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls and Much More, by Jeffrey Reid. It was excellent, and has step by step photos of the construction of a very large waterfall. HTH — Cheers, Laura http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Justin, > This sounds like a larger scale version of what I have. I made a large > mound of soil, scooped out the basin, and lined the whole thing. The > rocks went on after as "window dressing" and were glued down with Great > Stuff. The waterfall is watertight without the rocks though. The first 3 > I built leaked because I tried to skimp on liner and use rocks to > control the flow of water. The rocks behind the actuall fall of water > are stacked and mortared in to give the appearance that the entire mound > is stone, but most of it is really soil and broken concrete from a > deconstrucion project. > So I guess what I’m saying is "liner under everything!" > HTH > — > Cheers, > Laura > http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign > rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html > > > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. > The > > > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I > need > > > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a > small > > > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have > running > > > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good > plans > > > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their > bond with > > > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found > below. > > > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the > veggie > > > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which > will > > > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > > > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so > I > > > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > > > Justin > > Hi Justin, > > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > > spillway. > Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I > would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream > that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like > to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks > for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so > that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that > feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more > filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the > falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup > (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more > instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. Thanks, Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Hi Justin, Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll get some ideas. Hope this helps. http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 Best wishes and happy ponding, June (Pa)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > Thanks, > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Beautiful…… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi Justin, > Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll > get some ideas. Hope this helps. > http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 > Best wishes and happy ponding, > June (Pa) > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > Thanks, > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Nice job, I’d like some more specs on the filter, and filter to pond size ratio if you don’t mind. Also, how’d you connect the pipe to your filter, what is the medium…?
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Beautiful…… > Hi Justin, > Take a look at pics at our photo album of the veggie filter.Perhaps you’ll > get some ideas. Hope this helps. > http://www.hpphoto.com/home/viewmyalbum.asp?coll_id=984112 > Best wishes and happy ponding, > June (Pa) > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > > Thanks, > > Justin > > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
Me too. ( Pond specs and ratio of pond size to filter size.) I am thinking of a veggie filter too. Your pond is beautiful. Hope my new one is half as good. Mary Szy
> Me too. ( Pond specs and ratio of pond size to filter size.) I am thinking of > a veggie filter too. > Your pond is beautiful. Hope my new one is half as good. > Mary Szy
First , thanks to all for your compliments. Specs.. the rule I followed was the one I first heard from other seasoned ponders in this newsgroup. The veggie filter<water volume> should be no less than one-tenth the water volume in the pond that is being filtered.That said, our larger pond is approx. 1650 gallons and the filter contains approx. 170 gallons. ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m wrong) The (outer) dimensions of our veg. filter is 8′ x 4′ with 1′ depth The water (pumped up from lower pond)enters the back of the filter through a PVC manifold which allows the water entering to bubble up gently as opposed to water rushing out through a straight pipe. The plants we used in our filter included water iris (bare rooted in a basket), water hyacinth, Pennywort, water celery and watercress (which grow like crazy) Coleus (unpotted also) and also had potted pickerel rush and varigated rush. The more fibrous rooty plants, the better. We also hung a bale of barley straw at the back of the filter where the water entered. Best wishes to all and best of luck with your ponds..enjoy! June (PA)
> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below.
I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I can see if what I’m thinking will work? Justin
> ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it > is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number > but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m > wrong)
To calculate the number of gallons in a rectangular pond: Length (ft.) x Width (ft.) x Average Depth (ft.) x 7.5 = volume of water For example, if your pond is 4 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 2 ft. avg. depth x 7.5 = 480 gallons. Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > Justin
Hi Justin, I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the spillway. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614
Thanks, Justin. I figured I was wrong, it’s been awhile my math formulas rusted in my brain. June (PA) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ( There is a math. formula for calculating the water volume of ponds and it > is the length x width x depth x ?? I am not positive of this last number > but 6.4 comes to mind and I will stand to be corrected on this if I’m > wrong) > To calculate the number of gallons in a rectangular pond: > Length (ft.) x Width (ft.) x Average Depth (ft.) x 7.5 = volume of > water > For example, if your pond is 4 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 2 ft. avg. > depth x 7.5 = 480 gallons. > Justin > Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090 > The Pond Award – http://www.geocities.com/justinm090/thepondaward.html
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > Justin > Hi Justin, > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > spillway.
Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks! Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
> I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
My liner covers the entire upper pond and continues down into the basin and then into the lower pond. It ends about 2 inches into the lower pond. I didn’t want the plants to wash out of the basin, that is why the flow is slow. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614 http://www.users.fast.net/~maebe/index.htm
Justin, This sounds like a larger scale version of what I have. I made a large mound of soil, scooped out the basin, and lined the whole thing. The rocks went on after as "window dressing" and were glued down with Great Stuff. The waterfall is watertight without the rocks though. The first 3 I built leaked because I tried to skimp on liner and use rocks to control the flow of water. The rocks behind the actuall fall of water are stacked and mortared in to give the appearance that the entire mound is stone, but most of it is really soil and broken concrete from a deconstrucion project. So I guess what I’m saying is "liner under everything!" HTH — Cheers, Laura http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. The > > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I need > > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a small > > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have running > > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good plans > > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their bond with > > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found below. > > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the veggie > > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which will > > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so I > > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > > Justin > Hi Justin, > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > spillway. > Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I > would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream > that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like > to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks > for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so > that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that > feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more > filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the > falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup > (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more > instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
Justin, I just found the book I used as a ref. when building my waterfall. It’s called How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls and Much More, by Jeffrey Reid. It was excellent, and has step by step photos of the construction of a very large waterfall. HTH — Cheers, Laura http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Justin, > This sounds like a larger scale version of what I have. I made a large > mound of soil, scooped out the basin, and lined the whole thing. The > rocks went on after as "window dressing" and were glued down with Great > Stuff. The waterfall is watertight without the rocks though. The first 3 > I built leaked because I tried to skimp on liner and use rocks to > control the flow of water. The rocks behind the actuall fall of water > are stacked and mortared in to give the appearance that the entire mound > is stone, but most of it is really soil and broken concrete from a > deconstrucion project. > So I guess what I’m saying is "liner under everything!" > HTH > — > Cheers, > Laura > http://www.geocities.com/pinkmousedesign > rec.ponds FAQ > > http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/faq.html > > > > In the next week I would like to create a waterfall for my pond. > The > > > > pond is almost 5000 gallons. It is the home to several koi. I > need > > > > help in the design. I would like to build the waterfall with a > small > > > > water basin at the top that will perhaps filter the water (with > > > > plants) even more than the filtration system I currently have > running > > > > in addition to this. Does anyone have a website that has good > plans > > > > and pictures of how they incorporated a waterfall into their > bond with > > > > a bog/veggie filter. You can see my setup at the link found > below. > > > I am going to start moving dirt to form the basin for which the > veggie > > > filter will be. Then I’m going to line it and add the rocks which > will > > > create the waterfall…anyone have any specific instructions (past > > > experience or web sites) and/or pictures of this type of setup so > I > > > can see if what I’m thinking will work? > > > Justin > > Hi Justin, > > I’m not sure if you talking about my type of waterfall, but > > you can check it out. I think it’s photo #5 that has the > > spillway. > Yes. This is the type of setup I am looking to start however I think I > would rather have more of a waterfall as opposed to a slowed stream > that it looks like you have (because of your lily pond?). I would like > to have a basin and then the water would drop off of a few big rocks > for a waterfall. I want to put a lot of plants in the upper basin so > that it will be a veggie filter. I already have a bottom drain that > feeds to a biological filtration system. However, I want even more > filtration through the veggie filter before the water returns over the > falls. I’ve only seen a couple of good pictures of this type of setup > (yours being one) and I’d like to see more. I would really like more > instructions too on how to go about doing this. I am going to move > dirt to make the basin, put liner in it, but then as the water leaves > the basin I’m not exactly sure how it will go over the rocks > (waterfall) into the main pond (4790 gallons) without leaking. Any > hints would be appreciated. Thanks! > Justin — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger pond using the real stuff. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I think they may have missed a zero in that cost. Even with the cheap thin > plastic liner the price stated at $6.00. I don’t think I would want to go > through all that work and depend on that plastic not to leak. It does puncture > pretty easily. Might be worth your time and energy as a temporary small first > pond knowing you plan to take it out in a year or two to go bigger but not if > its something you what to keep for many years. > })i({ Cindy })i({ > If you think the grass is > greener on the other side, > get fertilizer!!! > : ) > Live, Love, Laugh!!! > Don’t lose sight of lifes simple treasures, they cost nothing yet are priceless
> I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will > start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi > will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will > survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger > pond using the real stuff.
Adding that many fish to any pond (no matter the size) at once is a mistake. The fish should be added slowly – two at a time at two week intervals. This way the pond and the fish acclimate. If you’re going to start a pond, do it correctly. This way you will avoid many catastrophes which make ponding seem difficult. Go slow and be careful. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614 http://www.users.fast.net/~maebe/index.htm
>I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me.
If I had a pond that was only a few mils thick, I can tell you for sure…..ponding would not be for me. I think you are setting yourself up for a fall…I also question the truth of someone who puts cat tails into a thin pond…..they would have punctured the liner in just a few months….wonder why that was not mentioned. Too many things at that website an experienced ponder would question…I really do wish you good luck if you go this route…..Jerri http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond
I think they may have missed a zero in that cost. Even with the cheap thin plastic liner the price stated at $6.00. I don’t think I would want to go through all that work and depend on that plastic not to leak. It does puncture pretty easily. Might be worth your time and energy as a temporary small first pond knowing you plan to take it out in a year or two to go bigger but not if its something you what to keep for many years. })i({ Cindy })i({ If you think the grass is greener on the other side, get fertilizer!!! : ) Live, Love, Laugh!!! Don’t lose sight of lifes simple treasures, they cost nothing yet are priceless
> I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will > start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi > will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will > survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger > pond using the real stuff.
If you start that small I suggest you start with goldfish, not koi. Koi need much more space than other pond species. They grow fast and 10-20 would not be too happy in there. You would have to have small koi and they would outgrow your tiny pond very fast. Here’s your dilemma. You do not want to invest your money. By buying 10-20 koi, you HAVE invested your money. Koi are not cheap. You don’t want to risk losing your entire fish load ($) by using risky materials in pond construction. I suggest some feeder goldfish at first(I just saw some at Wal-Mart for 20 cents a piece). Good luck and keep reading the good ideas from rec.ponds. P.S. If you do make a pond for koi, I suggest you at least double the 3 ft wide to make your pond 6 ft x 8 ft x 3 ft deep. Bigger than that would be better. 
Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
I wonder how much their pond cost to build. Please provide the material and cost. Also I would like to know how big the pond is. There is a website that explain how to build a nice pond for $4.00. If you are interested go to http://members.aol.com/frugally4u/pond.html. I would like to hear from all of you ponder.
I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger pond using the real stuff. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I think they may have missed a zero in that cost. Even with the cheap thin > plastic liner the price stated at $6.00. I don’t think I would want to go > through all that work and depend on that plastic not to leak. It does puncture > pretty easily. Might be worth your time and energy as a temporary small first > pond knowing you plan to take it out in a year or two to go bigger but not if > its something you what to keep for many years. > })i({ Cindy })i({ > If you think the grass is > greener on the other side, > get fertilizer!!! > : ) > Live, Love, Laugh!!! > Don’t lose sight of lifes simple treasures, they cost nothing yet are priceless
> I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will > start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi > will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will > survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger > pond using the real stuff.
Adding that many fish to any pond (no matter the size) at once is a mistake. The fish should be added slowly – two at a time at two week intervals. This way the pond and the fish acclimate. If you’re going to start a pond, do it correctly. This way you will avoid many catastrophes which make ponding seem difficult. Go slow and be careful. — Bonnie NJ http://hpphoto.com/home/ViewMyAlbum.asp?coll_id=876614 http://www.users.fast.net/~maebe/index.htm
>I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me.
If I had a pond that was only a few mils thick, I can tell you for sure…..ponding would not be for me. I think you are setting yourself up for a fall…I also question the truth of someone who puts cat tails into a thin pond…..they would have punctured the liner in just a few months….wonder why that was not mentioned. Too many things at that website an experienced ponder would question…I really do wish you good luck if you go this route…..Jerri http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond
I think they may have missed a zero in that cost. Even with the cheap thin plastic liner the price stated at $6.00. I don’t think I would want to go through all that work and depend on that plastic not to leak. It does puncture pretty easily. Might be worth your time and energy as a temporary small first pond knowing you plan to take it out in a year or two to go bigger but not if its something you what to keep for many years. })i({ Cindy })i({ If you think the grass is greener on the other side, get fertilizer!!! : ) Live, Love, Laugh!!! Don’t lose sight of lifes simple treasures, they cost nothing yet are priceless
> I don’t want to invest the money and turn out ponding is not for me. I will > start small with a 3 ft wide by 8 ft long by 3 ft deep. Plus the new koi > will be small so the pond should accommondate 10-20. Hopefully they will > survive the first season. When they are big enough I will make a bigger > pond using the real stuff.
If you start that small I suggest you start with goldfish, not koi. Koi need much more space than other pond species. They grow fast and 10-20 would not be too happy in there. You would have to have small koi and they would outgrow your tiny pond very fast. Here’s your dilemma. You do not want to invest your money. By buying 10-20 koi, you HAVE invested your money. Koi are not cheap. You don’t want to risk losing your entire fish load ($) by using risky materials in pond construction. I suggest some feeder goldfish at first(I just saw some at Wal-Mart for 20 cents a piece). Good luck and keep reading the good ideas from rec.ponds. P.S. If you do make a pond for koi, I suggest you at least double the 3 ft wide to make your pond 6 ft x 8 ft x 3 ft deep. Bigger than that would be better. Justin Justin’s Pond — http://www.geocities.com/justinm090
I wonder how much their pond cost to build. Please provide the material and cost. Also I would like to know how big the pond is. There is a website that explain how to build a nice pond for $4.00. If you are interested go to http://members.aol.com/frugally4u/pond.html. I would like to hear from all of you ponder.
Check out the padus disk juggler programif you want to run multiple burners at once. It has never let us down (but now that is said) Good luck & great fun. JD
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hmm.. > interesting. > i know chaining them together VIA SCSI is not a problem. > i think you may need software capable of writing to several CD writers > simultaneously. i use NERO…i’ll have to check it. > right off, i don’t know of any. maybe call a CD dupe house and ask a tech. > now, i’m curious. > f > Dupe houses probably use dedicated units. We have a few in the lab where > I work. They have six or so drives with a robot loader and even an > integrated labeller. > I think a DIY project would be pretty easy using SCSI drives as you > mention, in a Linux or FreeBSD box. The software is all freely-available > and should be easy for someone with a bit of Linux/BSD experience to set > up. > Brent Carithers Univ. California at Berkeley > Phone: (510) 643-2202 233 Giannini Hall #3310 > Fax: (510) 643-8911 Berkeley, CA 94720-3310 > Words of wisdom from Zippy: > In Newark the laundromats are open 24 hours a day!
Does anyone have info on how to build your own CD Duplicator? I want 4 CD-RWs + a Player & I know I need to use SCSI, but that is the extent of my knowledge. I have been searching the web with no luck. Any websites, books, magazine articles, ,etc. would be appreciated. — John
hmm.. interesting. i know chaining them together VIA SCSI is not a problem. i think you may need software capable of writing to several CD writers simultaneously. i use NERO…i’ll have to check it. right off, i don’t know of any. maybe call a CD dupe house and ask a tech. now, i’m curious. f
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anyone have info on how to build your own CD Duplicator? I want 4 > CD-RWs + a Player & I know I need to use SCSI, but that is the extent of my > knowledge. > I have been searching the web with no luck. Any websites, books, magazine > articles, ,etc. would be appreciated. > — > John
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > hmm.. > interesting. > i know chaining them together VIA SCSI is not a problem. > i think you may need software capable of writing to several CD writers > simultaneously. i use NERO…i’ll have to check it. > right off, i don’t know of any. maybe call a CD dupe house and ask a tech. > now, i’m curious. > f
Dupe houses probably use dedicated units. We have a few in the lab where I work. They have six or so drives with a robot loader and even an integrated labeller. I think a DIY project would be pretty easy using SCSI drives as you mention, in a Linux or FreeBSD box. The software is all freely-available and should be easy for someone with a bit of Linux/BSD experience to set up. Brent Carithers Univ. California at Berkeley Phone: (510) 643-2202 233 Giannini Hall #3310 Fax: (510) 643-8911 Berkeley, CA 94720-3310 Words of wisdom from Zippy: In Newark the laundromats are open 24 hours a day!
Are there any websites that give information how to make your own solar (hot water) collector? I would like to invest time (little money) to make a system that keeps my garage (
I am going to expand a half bath into a three quarter and was going to install a shower. I really want a bathtub but I only have about 42 inches of space. So, I was wondering how I would go about building a shower stall out of ceramic tile, etc. that could function as a tub. The only difference dimensionally would be a raised wall to hold about a foot of water, instead of it being the standard height one would use for a shower. It would be plumbed like a bathtub as well. My concerns obviously center around it being water-tight. It will be located on a concrete slab, so I don’t have to worry about damaging anything under it, but I really don’t want to do attract termites to a water source, either. If I can’t make a mortar bed water-tight, maybe a custom shower pan is in order (expensive)? Thanks, Matt
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am going to expand a half bath into a three quarter and was going to > install a shower. I really want a bathtub but I only have about 42 > inches of space. So, I was wondering how I would go about building a > shower stall out of ceramic tile, etc. that could function as a tub. > The only difference dimensionally would be a raised wall to hold about > a foot of water, instead of it being the standard height one would use > for a shower. It would be plumbed like a bathtub as well. > My concerns obviously center around it being water-tight. It will be > located on a concrete slab, so I don’t have to worry about damaging > anything under it, but I really don’t want to do attract termites to a > water source, either. If I can’t make a mortar bed water-tight, maybe > a custom shower pan is in order (expensive)? > Thanks, > Matt
I think I would buy rather than build in this case (MHO). Kohler, for one, makes a tiny tub that’s 42X36X14 (K-835). If you can squeeze a space 48X44, the choices are bigger. I’m sure Kohler isn’t the only choice, just one example. Jim
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am going to expand a half bath into a three quarter and was going to > install a shower. I really want a bathtub but I only have about 42 > inches of space. So, I was wondering how I would go about building a > shower stall out of ceramic tile, etc. that could function as a tub. > The only difference dimensionally would be a raised wall to hold about > a foot of water, instead of it being the standard height one would use > for a shower. It would be plumbed like a bathtub as well. > My concerns obviously center around it being water-tight. It will be > located on a concrete slab, so I don’t have to worry about damaging > anything under it, but I really don’t want to do attract termites to a > water source, either. If I can’t make a mortar bed water-tight, maybe > a custom shower pan is in order (expensive)? > Thanks, > Matt
This type of tub sometimes known as a ‘Roman’ tub is best left to a professional. It involves hot-mopping tar and several layers of roofing felt or paper for a waterproof membrane in conjunction with a 2-piece ‘easy-test’ drain followed by lathe and mortar substrate.
Art, since he only wants to hold a foot of water couldn’t he just build a regular tile shower but use say 2 2×8’s (or 10’s) for blocking in the walls and then just build the curb to match out of wood or bricks/mortar (for something this high I would go the brick route, even better since he is on a slab) and then just use a PVC/CPE liner with the correct clamping drain. After that use laticrete 9235 on the walls and maybe the floor. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work as long as his curb is lower then the liner on the rest of the walls. What do you think? Seems pretty straight forward to me, am I missing something? Laticrete also has specs on how to build a shower with out any pan (It does have the UPC and International plumbing code endorsements, as well as the "commercial" rating, can’t remember which one) except for using their 9235. They have the specs on their website in a PDF file. They even say you can use the stuff over green board if you wanted to because it is completely waterproof but still recommend CBU for strength/substance. The Venetian Hotel & Complex in Las Vegas has all (about 3000) showers done this way as well as all the fountains etc.. No pvc/cpe liners at all so it probably works just fine. Any diy could apply the 9235 correctly, hot mopping is a thing of the past as far as I’m concerned. Sean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am going to expand a half bath into a three quarter and was going to > install a shower. I really want a bathtub but I only have about 42 > inches of space. So, I was wondering how I would go about building a > shower stall out of ceramic tile, etc. that could function as a tub. > The only difference dimensionally would be a raised wall to hold about > a foot of water, instead of it being the standard height one would use > for a shower. It would be plumbed like a bathtub as well. > My concerns obviously center around it being water-tight. It will be > located on a concrete slab, so I don’t have to worry about damaging > anything under it, but I really don’t want to do attract termites to a > water source, either. If I can’t make a mortar bed water-tight, maybe > a custom shower pan is in order (expensive)? > Thanks, > Matt > This type of tub sometimes known as a ‘Roman’ tub is best left to a > professional. It involves hot-mopping tar and several layers of roofing > felt or paper for a waterproof membrane in conjunction with a 2-piece > ‘easy-test’ drain followed by lathe and mortar substrate.
> I think I would buy rather than build in this case (MHO). > Kohler, for one, makes a tiny tub that’s 42X36X14 (K-835). > If you can squeeze a space 48X44, the choices are bigger. > I’m sure Kohler isn’t the only choice, just one example. > Jim
Jim, I have to agree with you there, I really don’t want to "build" a bathtub out of tile. I initially wanted to buy a drop-in unit but was unable to locate one anywhere. I looked up K-835 and found the rough-in specs, etc. online, and it’s only 14" tall so I won’t have any problems getting it inside the house. Eljer has one too, but they’re over a grand. So, I priced it out and can get one delivered in four weeks for $640 + tax and shipping. Not sure about the price yet, but I figure since it’s a kind of "non-standard" it’s going to cost more over a standard 5′ tub (if it were really non-standard they probably wouldn’t make it). Ironic: I originally posted a question here to locate an "odd-shaped tub" and got mixed results. Now I post the question to build my own tub, and I wind up with the model# of the one I was looking for. I guess it’s all in how you approach the question… or, if you plan on building it they will come (the answers)! Many Thanks! Matt And thanks to everyone else who supplied a response!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > > Too right. > > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > > Apparently > > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me > started > on > > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the > guy > > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > > Jepo. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful > (read: > > harder). > > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo > Pascal/Pascal, > > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… > and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is > making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > > But that’s about it. > > Cheers, > > Sam > SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you > get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing > of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I > make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs > analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. > However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m > surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems > more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills.
Hey, I am impressed! I struggle with a lot of math elements… I’m trying to actually understand some of these friction and inertia things in flash, and it doesn’t come to me naturally! I can kind of get it working – but I am not so sure I totally understand just what it is I am doing… Well – I certainly hope you are right about getting hired! But right now the industry is pretty bad in Canada at least… and particularly in my city due to the school I am attending (meaning a lot of graduates competing!). It is similar in other cities to my knowledge – but not as bad in the US I think (where I am looking for jobs probably – but of course, with current events, no one knows what will happen). Luckily, it is not a surprise – I knew this going in, but it is what I have wanted to do for years so I figured not to throw many years of school & aspirations away because of a current downturn. Of course, relying on the hope there will be an upswing sometime. But if new media and web designers and programmers are in demand in your city/area/region/state/country pleeeeeeease email me – my husband and I both do similar work and are certainly struggling! (seriously: finding jobs around… I just hope to hear of where I would be needed! =) Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ta, > Sam
> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: harder). Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. But that’s about it. Cheers, Sam
> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL
That’s not a knickknack up there. That’s Cassie, her calico shorthair. :-)
>The cats ignored >it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it >until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on >it.
LOL, typical cats Good for you for making your cat tree. It does sound like quite a big job. >I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
I wouldn’t do it if I were you. Cats would just see it as a giant litter box Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Too right. > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM.
Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making myself hire-able in the dead market =) I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Too right. > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started > on > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills. Ta, Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Hi all, > > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > &res=high
<8 Snip 8> > If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The > cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been > wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen > much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, > -Jenn
<8 Snip Snip 8> I threw caution to the wind and looked up the information again at work. I started at http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html And scrolled down to the bottom to the section entitled "Do you want to learn how to build a scratching post or a cat tree?" and the one I went with was the "Cat Climber". But…. uhh…. I did *improvise* just a little *cough* *cough*. Hope this helps you out! Sam
And what a handsome cat tree it is! Very nice. One of these days….. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep > away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) > and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a > sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" > button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that > you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an > apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time > I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch > plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the > hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is > open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. > Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me > at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these > tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails.
Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ^-^ > Sam > >I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood > thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. > In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at work, rats). The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the moment). My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on it. One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a Much better job. And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was $100. I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. Sam Shults
Too right. Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails. ^-^ Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> &res=high > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574 > Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the > ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees > (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the > Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some > designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at > work, rats). > The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to > make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I > dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and > the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the > moment). > My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to > the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and > helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super > simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 > poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. > They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap > black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope > (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles > (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a > hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the > carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). > I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats > were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this > was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – > drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. > I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top > posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle > post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t > difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s > base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the > others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a > while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I > had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a > brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts > and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then > I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored > it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it > until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on > it. > One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then > the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get > to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous > everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a > Much better job. > And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was > $100. > I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a > sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. > Sam Shults
If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, -Jenn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
>I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up
LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> Anna
>I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
Have a feeling the cats will take over this too (especially a sandbox — hmmm wonder what they’ll think *tha* is?). Anna <- considering ordering her next cat tree from Sam
Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the bookshelves though. LOL Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. Anna
Also for anyone interested, got mine a second tree: http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_15113.shtml (the one with the three little scooped shelves not the one with the birdhouse thing on top), and it is a big hit. Now they have a little one, this one and a great big one. Anyhow, it’s a very nice commercial piece and holding up well. Sturdy, and they play on it a lot. Karen
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL > Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat > (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to > 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture > on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of > poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. > Anna
>If >anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend >http://www.createacatcondo.com >I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. >Megan
Thanks for posting this. Your cat tree looks really nice. Right now we have a floor to ceiling one, but we’re thinking of getting a new one. Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
Cool! They look pretty happy with it! Karen
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
If you don’t mind me asking, how much did you pay for it? I just bought my Ash a cat tree last week.. I just want to know if I should be kicking myself or if I paid a reasonable price ($169). Tracy. See Ash, my little devil in a fur coat – http://photos.yahoo.com/shivonnel
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Hi all, Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat trees and an online program where you could pick different style options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats took to it right away! You can see it here: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend http://www.createacatcondo.com I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > > Too right. > > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > > Apparently > > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me > started > on > > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the > guy > > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > > Jepo. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful > (read: > > harder). > > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo > Pascal/Pascal, > > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… > and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is > making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > > But that’s about it. > > Cheers, > > Sam > SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you > get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing > of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I > make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs > analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. > However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m > surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems > more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills.
Hey, I am impressed! I struggle with a lot of math elements… I’m trying to actually understand some of these friction and inertia things in flash, and it doesn’t come to me naturally! I can kind of get it working – but I am not so sure I totally understand just what it is I am doing… Well – I certainly hope you are right about getting hired! But right now the industry is pretty bad in Canada at least… and particularly in my city due to the school I am attending (meaning a lot of graduates competing!). It is similar in other cities to my knowledge – but not as bad in the US I think (where I am looking for jobs probably – but of course, with current events, no one knows what will happen). Luckily, it is not a surprise – I knew this going in, but it is what I have wanted to do for years so I figured not to throw many years of school & aspirations away because of a current downturn. Of course, relying on the hope there will be an upswing sometime. But if new media and web designers and programmers are in demand in your city/area/region/state/country pleeeeeeease email me – my husband and I both do similar work and are certainly struggling! (seriously: finding jobs around… I just hope to hear of where I would be needed! =) Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ta, > Sam
> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: harder). Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. But that’s about it. Cheers, Sam
> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL
That’s not a knickknack up there. That’s Cassie, her calico shorthair. :-)
>The cats ignored >it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it >until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on >it.
LOL, typical cats Good for you for making your cat tree. It does sound like quite a big job. >I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
I wouldn’t do it if I were you. Cats would just see it as a giant litter box Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Too right. > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM.
Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making myself hire-able in the dead market =) I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Too right. > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started > on > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills. Ta, Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Hi all, > > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > &res=high
<8 Snip 8> > If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The > cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been > wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen > much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, > -Jenn
<8 Snip Snip 8> I threw caution to the wind and looked up the information again at work. I started at http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html And scrolled down to the bottom to the section entitled "Do you want to learn how to build a scratching post or a cat tree?" and the one I went with was the "Cat Climber". But…. uhh…. I did *improvise* just a little *cough* *cough*. Hope this helps you out! Sam
And what a handsome cat tree it is! Very nice. One of these days….. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep > away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) > and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a > sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" > button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that > you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an > apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time > I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch > plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the > hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is > open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. > Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me > at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these > tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails.
Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ^-^ > Sam > >I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood > thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. > In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at work, rats). The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the moment). My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on it. One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a Much better job. And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was $100. I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. Sam Shults
Too right. Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails. ^-^ Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> &res=high > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574 > Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the > ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees > (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the > Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some > designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at > work, rats). > The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to > make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I > dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and > the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the > moment). > My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to > the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and > helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super > simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 > poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. > They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap > black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope > (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles > (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a > hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the > carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). > I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats > were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this > was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – > drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. > I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top > posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle > post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t > difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s > base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the > others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a > while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I > had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a > brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts > and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then > I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored > it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it > until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on > it. > One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then > the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get > to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous > everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a > Much better job. > And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was > $100. > I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a > sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. > Sam Shults
If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, -Jenn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
>I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up
LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> Anna
>I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
Have a feeling the cats will take over this too (especially a sandbox — hmmm wonder what they’ll think *tha* is?). Anna <- considering ordering her next cat tree from Sam
Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the bookshelves though. LOL Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. Anna
Also for anyone interested, got mine a second tree: http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_15113.shtml (the one with the three little scooped shelves not the one with the birdhouse thing on top), and it is a big hit. Now they have a little one, this one and a great big one. Anyhow, it’s a very nice commercial piece and holding up well. Sturdy, and they play on it a lot. Karen
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL > Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat > (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to > 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture > on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of > poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. > Anna
>If >anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend >http://www.createacatcondo.com >I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. >Megan
Thanks for posting this. Your cat tree looks really nice. Right now we have a floor to ceiling one, but we’re thinking of getting a new one. Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
Cool! They look pretty happy with it! Karen
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
If you don’t mind me asking, how much did you pay for it? I just bought my Ash a cat tree last week.. I just want to know if I should be kicking myself or if I paid a reasonable price ($169). Tracy. See Ash, my little devil in a fur coat – http://photos.yahoo.com/shivonnel
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Hi all, Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat trees and an online program where you could pick different style options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats took to it right away! You can see it here: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend http://www.createacatcondo.com I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > > Too right. > > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > > Apparently > > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me > started > on > > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the > guy > > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > > Jepo. > > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful > (read: > > harder). > > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo > Pascal/Pascal, > > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… > and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is > making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > > But that’s about it. > > Cheers, > > Sam > SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you > get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing > of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I > make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs > analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. > However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m > surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems > more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills.
Hey, I am impressed! I struggle with a lot of math elements… I’m trying to actually understand some of these friction and inertia things in flash, and it doesn’t come to me naturally! I can kind of get it working – but I am not so sure I totally understand just what it is I am doing… Well – I certainly hope you are right about getting hired! But right now the industry is pretty bad in Canada at least… and particularly in my city due to the school I am attending (meaning a lot of graduates competing!). It is similar in other cities to my knowledge – but not as bad in the US I think (where I am looking for jobs probably – but of course, with current events, no one knows what will happen). Luckily, it is not a surprise – I knew this going in, but it is what I have wanted to do for years so I figured not to throw many years of school & aspirations away because of a current downturn. Of course, relying on the hope there will be an upswing sometime. But if new media and web designers and programmers are in demand in your city/area/region/state/country pleeeeeeease email me – my husband and I both do similar work and are certainly struggling! (seriously: finding jobs around… I just hope to hear of where I would be needed! =) Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ta, > Sam
> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo.
C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: harder). Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. But that’s about it. Cheers, Sam
> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL
That’s not a knickknack up there. That’s Cassie, her calico shorthair. :-)
>The cats ignored >it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it >until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on >it.
LOL, typical cats Good for you for making your cat tree. It does sound like quite a big job. >I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
I wouldn’t do it if I were you. Cats would just see it as a giant litter box Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Too right. > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM.
Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making myself hire-able in the dead market =) I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Too right. > > > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. > Apparently > > > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started > on > > > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > > > helping me just looked at my funny. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< > > Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? > > Jepo. > C< Pacman, chomp chomp C< C< chomp chomp > I’m doing a visual basic (6) application right now – it’s a replacement > for > SEWSS (if you’ve heard of that). That’s what I use mostly since it’s so > easy to use and I’m too brain-dead to learn anything more powerful (read: > harder). > Seriously though I have done a lot of work in *cough* Turbo Pascal/Pascal, > some in C, a tiny bit (thank the invisible pink unicorn in the sky) of > F0RTRAN and a fraction of ASM. > Ahhh – cool stuff! A LOT more and more difficult than I do! All mine is > simplistic web stuff… actionscript, lingo, javascript, coldfusion (along > with graphics, 3d, audio, video…so nothing is all that complicated)… and > hopefully perl, xml and asp sometime soon. All I am interested in is making > myself hire-able in the dead market =) > I haven’t heard of SEWSS… what kind of app is it? > Jepo. > But that’s about it. > Cheers, > Sam
SEWSS is made by Statsoft. It’s a statistical graphing package. Before you get too impressed *pause for shocked amazement* I don’t understand a thing of statistics – they tell me what they would like the program to do and I make it do it. Graphs charts, updates databases with information, runs analysis, etc, etc… ad nauseum. However I can’t do (or haven’t tried) any web stuff, so we’re even. I’m surprised you can’t find a job with those kind of skills, though. It seems more and more people are trying to hire people with web skills. Ta, Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Hi all, > > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > &res=high
<8 Snip 8> > If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The > cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been > wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen > much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, > -Jenn
<8 Snip Snip 8> I threw caution to the wind and looked up the information again at work. I started at http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html And scrolled down to the bottom to the section entitled "Do you want to learn how to build a scratching post or a cat tree?" and the one I went with was the "Cat Climber". But…. uhh…. I did *improvise* just a little *cough* *cough*. Hope this helps you out! Sam
And what a handsome cat tree it is! Very nice. One of these days….. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Too right. > Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently > they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on > screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy > helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep > away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) > and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a > sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" > button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that > you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an > apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time > I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch > plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the > hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is > open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. > Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me > at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these > tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails.
Hey Sam, what kinda code do you write? Jepo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ^-^ > Sam > >I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood > thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. > In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at work, rats). The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the moment). My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on it. One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a Much better job. And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was $100. I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. Sam Shults
Too right. Although I will say that I had to specifiy a 6′ wood-thingie. Apparently they have many wood-thingies at Home Depot. And don’t get me started on screws. I made the mistake of saying "I need some screws" and the guy helping me just looked at my funny. I think he was about to slowly creep away until I re-read my instructions (straight from the website, so help me) and told him the right size of deck screws that I needed. He breathed a sigh of relief and moved his finger away from the "Crazy Person Alert" button. I forgot to mention when I picked up the drill (after learning that you can’t hammer in nails into a 4×4 through plywood by yourself in an apartment) I mistakenly forgot the actual bits. *ashamed look* By the time I got home and figured out that trying to drill a hole though 3/4 inch plywood and a 4×4 with a screwdriver tip is *far* less successful than the hammer idea. And of course Home Depot had just closed. Luckily Walmart is open 24 hours a day and had some drill bits and other mechanized-stuff. Marvel at my lack of skills. Need some computer programming done? Let me at it! But what’s this you say? A hammer? And I’m supposed to hit these tiny sticks with it? Pardon? Oh yes, yes, I meant nails. ^-^ Sam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up > LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." > Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In > fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> > Anna
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> &res=high > This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574 > Nice tree! When I got a couple cats I decided to get a cat tree but all the > ones I looked for locally were wayyyyy too expensive for little tiny trees > (I’m talking about $50 for a little 3′ tall tree). I looked up on the > Internet for cat tree information and found a nice website that had some > designs for cat trees. I can’t recall the address at the moment (and I’m at > work, rats). > The thing is I have -zero- carpentry skills. I mean, none. When I went to > make my first stab at getting the materials I actually got scared off when I > dug around at the local Lowe’s. It was so big with so much wood. That and > the people weren’t very helpful (and I didn’t have any designs at the > moment). > My second stab was better. I got the plans for a tree and made a trip to > the local Home Depot. Much better. The people there were very friendly and > helpful. I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and > they cut them up just right without charging extra. My design was super > simple. A large 3/4" plywood base, a 6′ 4×4 pole in the center and four 4×4 > poles on the corners – one 5 foot, one 4 foot, one 30 inch and one 18 inch. > They were arranged in a winding staircase pattern. I also bought some cheap > black carpeting (I think it was $2.34 per linear foot), some sissal rope > (that was a good idea), more 3/4" plywood for the platforms on the poles > (the original called for a platform on the 6 foot but I didn’t put it on), a > hand stapler, drill & drill bits (with deck screws), some glue to stick the > carpet on (which didn’t work so I bought the above stapler). > I spent one whole sunday putting that thing together in my apartment. Cats > were crawling all over me trying to check out the new "furniture" and this > was my first project of this type ever. Let me tell you what’s difficult – > drilling 5 holes & deck screws in the base of each of those 4×4s by myself. > I had the huge base on it’s side with a table against it so the two top > posts could rest on something. I had some cardboard boxes for the middle > post to rest on and some more for the bottom two posts. And if that wasn’t > difficult enough, the hardest part was tipping it over to set it on it’s > base. Let me tell you – one six foot 4×4+one five foot 4×4+all the > others=Very, Very heavy. I was terrified that it would break. It took me a > while to figure out how to do it right. Because this was a solo project I > had to get an extra piece of plywood to put under the bottom two boards as a > brace and I had 1 hand on the middle post and my back on the top two posts > and both eyes on all my cats to make sure I didn’t squish anyone. And then > I had to drill the platforms on. *Shiver* Not enjoyable. The cats ignored > it that whole evening/night and I was depressed thinking they didn’t like it > until the next day when I came home for lunch I saw they were all resting on > it. > One of their favorite things to do is to jump on the first platform, then > the second platform and then climb the sissal rope on the middle post to get > to the 5 foot platform. I’m very proud of it even though I get nervous > everytime it wobbles a bit. I know if I were to do it again I could do a > Much better job. > And the good news – the price with all the materials *and* the tools was > $100. > I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a > sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try. > Sam Shults
If you get a chance please post what web site you were looking at. The cat trees around here are poor quality and premium price, so I’ve been wanting to make one too. So far I haven’t liked the sites I have seen much…. I need the "dummy’s" version instructions, -Jenn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
>I told them the size of the different wood-thingies I needed and >they cut them up
LOL. I wonder how many people walk into Home Depot asking for "wood thingies." Sam, after reading your adventures, now I know why cat trees cost so much. In fact, I’m surprised I didn’t have to pay even more! <g> Anna
>I was considering doing another one, but then also I thought a >sandbox/indoor garden might be interesting to try.
Have a feeling the cats will take over this too (especially a sandbox — hmmm wonder what they’ll think *tha* is?). Anna <- considering ordering her next cat tree from Sam
Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the bookshelves though. LOL Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. Anna
Also for anyone interested, got mine a second tree: http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_15113.shtml (the one with the three little scooped shelves not the one with the birdhouse thing on top), and it is a big hit. Now they have a little one, this one and a great big one. Anyhow, it’s a very nice commercial piece and holding up well. Sturdy, and they play on it a lot. Karen
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your cat tree looks very nice. Better move those knickknacks from on top of the > bookshelves though. LOL > Just to put in my $.02, I got my cat tree from Angelical Cat > (www.angelicalcat.com) and I’ve been very happy with it. It’s probably close to > 10 years old now and it still looks new. Though you can’t fabricate a picture > on their site, they will build to your specifications with different types of > poles, carpets, sisal and perch styles. > Anna
>If >anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend >http://www.createacatcondo.com >I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. >Megan
Thanks for posting this. Your cat tree looks really nice. Right now we have a floor to ceiling one, but we’re thinking of getting a new one. Lauren =^..^= Mickey and Meesha: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1278826&a=9501548 Instant Karma’s gonna get you, gonna knock you round the face, better get yourself together, darlin’, join the human race….. - John Lennon
Cool! They look pretty happy with it! Karen
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
If you don’t mind me asking, how much did you pay for it? I just bought my Ash a cat tree last week.. I just want to know if I should be kicking myself or if I paid a reasonable price ($169). Tracy. See Ash, my little devil in a fur coat – http://photos.yahoo.com/shivonnel
> Hi all, > Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat > trees and an online program where you could pick different style > options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I > ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it > came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats > took to it right away! You can see it here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… &res=high – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt > with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also > vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If > anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend > http://www.createacatcondo.com > I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. > Megan > "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do > nothing." > -Edmund Burke > Learn The TRUTH About Declawing > http://www.stopdeclaw.com > Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574
Hi all, Awhile back I posted about a website I found that had really nice cat trees and an online program where you could pick different style options, click, and it would show you what the tree would look like. I ordered one and after a bit of a delay (which couldn’t be helped) it came this morning. I am absolutely thrilled with the tree and my cats took to it right away! You can see it here: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=244574&a=1817783&p=54575510&Seq… This is a very well made piece of cat furniture, and the guy I dealt with – Harry – was really, really nice and helpful. He is also vehemently against declawing, which is always a plus in my book. If anyone is looking to get a large cat tree, I highly recommend http://www.createacatcondo.com I’m very happy with the quality, and the price was quite reasonable. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=244574