Cat tree advice

I got this cat tree late last month:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...coon-cat-tower

...and been procrastinating on how best to put it together. I decided I want it to be permanently assembled, and looking into threadlocker for the 'bolts' (the thingies that use a hex key), and some sort of permanent adhesive to insure the pieces do not come apart. I was thinking of using these:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/LOCTITE-Thr...esive/50083056

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Titebond-16...d-Glue/3033224

I wanted to check here, and make sure these would do the job, or if not, get recommendations for something better. Thanks.

 

Loctite will prevent threadstock from coming loose, but I wonder if the wood glue is necessary. Wood glue is intended for wood-on-wood joints, and the tree picture shows all surfaces are covered by carpet. Are you planning to remove carpet, apply glue, and re-cover?

Those DIY assembly kits are usually well-designed: Ikea has set a pretty high standard. My opinion? Threadlocker is a bit over the top, and the wood glue is going out if your way to make the project messy and complicated. Try threadlocking if you want, especially if it will provide motivation to get the job done.

 

It is pretty rare for something non-moving like that to come apart or loosen bolts & screws. Most people don't go to that extent for assembling a cat tree. I have had no trouble with any of mine. I'd just assemble it according to the directions. The cat is likely to wear out the covering long before you have to worry about it needing anything additional like gluing and Loctite.

 

Loctite is not necessary but would work if you really want to use it. We have multiple cat trees and the bolts are very long and do not come out.

 

There is exposed wood on each end of the poles, and where they screw into the platform. I might have to trim down the carpet that encircles it to avoid overlap that could occur when screwing the parts together, but I don't see a need to remove any carpet.

I read a lot of reviews before buying a cat tree, and pretty much all models had at least some complaints about them becoming wobbly within a year....some had to be taken apart and redone, some had to be replaced. I just want this cat tree to outlast me and my buddy. He is nine, and I'm over sixty, so hopefully that's not an unreasonable expectation.

 

If you want it to be rock solid you could glue it together. If the wood/cardboard pieces fit tightly a quality wood glue would be my choice. If there are gaps where pieces fit together I'd use construction adhesive.

If you want to use Loctite on the screws it only works metal to metal like a nut & bolt. I would use the blue, removeable type. If you have a screw going into wood Loctite won't help.

Don't be afraid to add additional fasteners. Often things use a minimum amount of fasteners so assembly is easier. If there are areas where you can sink extra screws it probably wouldn't hurt.