Cat Window Shelf
Fall 2022
As an intro to woodworking project for my senior design class, I designed and built a shelf that served a specific need I had. Since my cat loves to perch on my windowsill to look out the window, I decided to build a larger shelf for her to sit on.
Design Ideation
The biggest constraint I faced was the wood I had to work with. I was given a 7" by 4' plank to make the shelf out of. WIth this in mind, I brainstormed shelf ideas that were small enough to be made out of this amount of wood. After I had an idea I liked, I planned it out with sketching and measurements.
Shelf Prototype Fabrication
Once I planned out my cuts, I used a miter saw, a belt saw, and a Japanese hand saw to execute them, depending on the type and location of the cut. I had little experience with power saws before this project, but gained a lot more confidence in using them. I used a combination of wood glue and wood screws to assemble the shelf and install it in my room. I wanted to stain the raw wood, but I think the cat would not like the smell.
