SpiralGrip Cat Pole & Tree Upgrade System

This is a cat tree modification and upgrade system centered around spiral groove poles that make sisal wrapping fast and clean.  The idea began with my stabilizer brackets and grew into this system with replacement poles and multiple types of spacers making it easy to strengthen, tune, and reconfigure commercial cat trees.

Note that this is designed around poles that are ~68mm in diameter.

SpiralGrip Poles:

• Integrated spiral groove designed specifically for 1/4″ sisal rope: insert the rope through the dedicated opening, tie a knot, and start wrapping
• Intended with heat set inserts and threaded rods/bolts like commercial poles
• A bracket-base variant is included for surface mounting, using screws for additional stability.
• Designed for strength via perimeter walls on the inside thanks to a hollow center cavity
• Are meant to be easy to size to your needs

Spacers:

• Simple cylinders and brackets with integrated spacers for small height adjustments
• Larger brackets for bigger spans where a pole isn't worth it
• Useful for both stock parts and modified layouts, so you can tune the build without reprinting poles

Tree upgrade:

My cats ignored the small cubby and the steps, and those parts mainly reduced stability. I removed them, used spacers so the three bottom poles were the same height, then added a painted plywood platform that ties the three poles together much more securely. A custom sized spiral pole finished the layout, plus stabilizer brackets for extra stiffness. The result is a tighter footprint, better flow, and a significantly stronger structure.

 

Details:

• The design is robust enough that PLA+ will work fine, but remember that heat vents and direct sunlight can warp PLA.  ABS or ASA are more ideal, especially for larger and heavier towers.  Regular PLA may be alright but I don't recommend it.

   

• The uploaded profiles use a 0.4mm nozzle, though you may want to consider 0.6mm for thicker walls.

   

•  8" and 10" poles are provided (only 8" in profile for 256mm plates), resizing involves simple cutting and height adjustment

  • Multiple pole configurations are included (plain, retainer for pole-pole joint, integrated bracket with and wtihout retainer)

     

• The uploaded profiles have M8-sized heat set insert holes as negative spaces - if connecting printed poles to existing cat tree parts, verify dimensions and adjust as necessary.  My tree used a mix of M8 and M10 threaded rods and bolts so I wound up making some end cap replacements instead of ordering additional hardware.

Good choices for hardware and rope:

• 1/4″ sisal rope: https://amzn.to/4b4Lu4H
• Threaded rods (I suggest at least 60mm in length, more doesn't hurt): https://amzn.to/4qOFEJq
• Heat-set inserts: https://amzn.to/4aKiJc7