Custom sized cat flap ?

[rcx132]

Hi everyone,

We have a new smalll toy poodle dog. I recently re-opened an old, large cat flap so he can go outside for his business. Unfortunately, it's letting in wind and has also become popular with our chickens, who understandably prefer the warmth of the house over their coop and need to be kept out.

I need a custom flap that fully uses the hole's size, as smaller options would block the dog. I tried a hinge and plywood, but standard single-action hinges only open one way due to the flap's thickness.

Has anyone here created a smart solution? I've seen conveyor belts used before. Any advice?

PS. The keen eyed of you may have noticed the hole is in a structural area of the wall! The hole is lined with thick welded steel and is load bearing.

 

[Beanwood]

Standard gate hinge type arrangement (Effectively 2 pins, or a single pin into holes either side) I seem to recall @Dr.Al had a tea caddy example recently for a nicely executed example.

 

[Pond frog]

What about warehouse style pvc strip curtain

 

[Beanwood]

..or something like this for a hinge to use with your plywood?
Double action hinge (Full disclosure - I haven't tried this)

 

[rcx132]

..or something like this for a hinge to use with your plywood?
Double action hinge (Full disclosure - I haven't tried this)

I did think about that, it might even spring the flap back to the centre position. But not sure if they come in small sizes.

 

[Beanwood]

I did think about that, it might even spring the flap back to the centre position. But not sure if they come in small sizes.

Springing back to centre can be achieved by using two magnets attracting each other (Or you may get away with one in your case as you have the metal outer)

 

[Pond frog]

This style looks good , look up tomsgate cat flaps ,kind of flexible wooden flap no hinge required shouldn’t be hard to make, looks like wood slats on a rubber flap

 

[Bullet2012]

Must go to spec savers, I read the title as, custom size flat cap

 

[voipio]

Must go to spec savers, I read the title as, custom size flat cap

Same 'ere. I thought, eee, by gum.

 

[Agroshield]

Unfortunately, it's letting in wind and has also become popular with our chickens...

The dog or the flap?

Change of diet and change of shampoo would fix those issues.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Block the hole and teach your dog to ask to go out?

 

[pedrobedro]

Anybody else read that as custom size flat cap ?

 

[Bullet2012]

Anybody else read that as custom size flat cap ?

see posts #8 and #9

 

[voipio]

Anybody else read that as custom size flat cap ?

Errrm, yes....a few posts back!! Specsavers for you, m'lad!!

 

[Ali]

Source one from America

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Must go to spec savers, I read the title as, custom size flat cap

You are not the only one

 

[Migmac]

I made one for my dog kennel. The flap was an old piece of fire beater, tough stuff. I screwed a piece of 15mm copper pipe across the top of the fire beater. Drilled two holes in the frame uprights to take the copper pipe. Swings both ways and is heavy enough to not be blown about by the wind

 

[500e]

Have to send the cat to the gym though

 

[caprinut]

That's one custom cat flap for that pussy cat, reminds me of Bagpuss.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

My custom cat flap.

I never did get round to cutting down these feeler gauges. Hinge is made out of a couple of drill bits.