Make a Cat Condo From a Discarded Microwave. Episode 5

This is Episode 5 of my series on taking a discarded microwave and using its parts to make other things. The series is intended to encourage others to repurpose/upcycle items flagged for the landfill.

This is the last episode in my series and it's the biggest.

In all the previous builds, I used parts of the microwave to create new products. In doing so, the essence of the microwave is lost. In this build, I challenged myself to make it obvious that parts of a microwave was used. I was considering making another storage container because well, we can always use more organization. #cleanshophappyshop But for this last build, I decided to build a cat condo. I hoped my design could be functional yet make it clear a microwave was used. I think I accomplished that challenge.

There were only a few main pieces remaining from the microwave. The overall metal enclosure and the door. Basically, half a box. I used melamine for the inner structure and front panel. I don't normally use melamine but had half a sheet left over from a bathroom cabinet repair. Besides, plywood was too expensive.

Cat condos need a heavy base. Obviously you don't want the condo to tip over as the kitties climb all over it. I went to our local steel fabricator and found I-beam drops. They were so kind to give me two drops at no charge. That's Aloha.

Of course, I had to include some CAD and 3D printing. I designed a filler panel. It hints to the origins of the original microwave: a round digital readout and push button panel. It simply bolts to the door and metal enclosure.

The wood used was reclaimed tongue and groove pine. It was damaged wood saved from our roof replacement. Using this wood forced me to finally buy a thickness planer. Maybe this will mean more pallet wood projects in my future. : )

Lastly, the carpet remnant was given to me by a local flooring supplier. Again, more Aloha.

Well this does it for my #Saveamicrowave Series. For those that watched all 5 Episodes, that you so much.

Mahalo for watching! : )

#Saveamicrowave Series
Episode 1: Turntable    • Make a Turntable From a Discarded Microwav...  
Episode 2: Tray    • Make a Serving Tray From a Discarded Micro...  
Episode 3: Spot Welder    • Make a Spot Welder From a Discarded Microw...  
Episode 4: Fan    • Make a Fan From a Discarded Microwave. Epi...