Let’s create a space for our bunny that serves as both a dining area and a bathroom. Imagine a bespoke, handcrafted haven that combines a bunny hay dispenser with a toilet just like the one in this DIY project. Not only does this make life easier for your fluffy friends, but it also adds a touch of unique charm to your home. What’s more heartwarming than creating a cozy niche that your bunnies will cherish? So, try crafting a functional piece of interior décor that your pet will love!
DIY Bunny Hay Dispenser And Toilet Project
Components:
- 10 Corner brackets
- A plastic box (dimensions: 40 * 34.5 * 16.8 cm)
- Plywood (~1.5 m^2 in total)
- 40 Screws (length shorter than the thickness of your plywood)
- Varnish (optional)
- Wood glue (for roof piece, optional)
Tools:
- Jigsaw (a handsaw is also sufficient)
- CNC router (a working surface of at least 40×20 cm with a 3.175 mm square end mill; though rabbit faces can be done with jigsaw and drill, names require a CNC)
- Clamps
- Carpenter’s square
- Ruler
- Electric screwdriver
- Sandpaper
Step-by-Step Guide
Sketching Out Your Design
The blueprint for your furry friend’s new retreat starts with plywood that’s 8.9mm thick, cut to the following dimensions:
- 1 piece at 40 x 20 cm
- 2 pieces at 40 x 16 cm
- 1 piece at 40 x 45 cm
- 2 side components (specific dimensions provided in the figure)
- 1 roof piece at 45 x 19 cm (optional)
- 1 roof strip at 38 x 2 cm (optional)
Begin by marking all measurements with precision, armed with a ruler and carpenter’s square. Remember, accuracy is key, as even minor discrepancies can snowball into a lopsided creation.
Next, identify the gap between your sawblade and the guide on your jigsaw—represented as ‘X’ in the figure. Draw a secondary line parallel to your intended cut line, offset by the distance ‘X’. This step sets you up for success, ensuring you saw exactly where you mean to.
Sawing to Perfection
Securely clamp a straight-edge guide along the offset line to act as your lighthouse, steering your saw in the right direction. Ensure that your plywood overarches your workbench to evade unwanted etchings on its surface. Then, with your eye on the prize and the guide keeping you true, cut along the marked line.
The Art of CNC Routing
Transition to the CNC router, where you’ll bring to life the adorable bunny heads and personalize the ensemble with a name of your choosing. Utilize a .dxf file for the bunny outlines, which will guide your router as it crafts the shapes with a 2D contour toolpath. For the names, switch to an engraving toolpath, carving each letter with care and precision.
Assembly Alley
Here’s where the structure takes form. Combine all the cut pieces using corner brackets and screws, arranging them as follows: the two side pieces hold the fort, with the back panel, front, and middle panels nestled between. Bear in mind that the length of the screws should not exceed the plywood’s thickness; if it does, enlist wooden spacers to prevent protrusion.
For those opting for a roof, attach the thinner strip of plywood to your larger roof piece to ensure it rests snugly and doesn’t slip away.
Welcome Home Bunny!
With a sprinkle of varnish (optional for those chew-happy bunnies) and a burst of excitement, introduce your bunnies to this clever little nook. Load it up with hay, add a bunny-safe absorbent to the plastic box, and let them explore their stylish, dual-purpose new furniture piece.
There you have it—a guide to creating a multipurpose home for your bunnies that is as functional as it is adorable. Enjoy the process and the joy it brings to your pet pals!
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