10 Life Hacks With PVC #12

10 Life Hacks with PVC #12

[WATCH VIDEO]

Here is the 12th Edition to our “10 Life Hacks with PVC” Series. We built and tested these projects with success. I hope you can benefit from some of these awesome life hacks.

Hacks Included:

1. Limbo Stand

2. Dog Agility Poles

3. Fishing Tree

4. Umbrella Holder

5. Garden/Plant Protection

6. Easel for Kids

7. Wrist Roller

8. Tree Swing

9. Toilet Scrubber Holder

10. Team Building Project

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If you would like the video version of this Instructable and the embedded video does not appear, here is an alternative link

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Just remember that PVC is only a form of hard plastic. It can and will break if too much weight or force is applied and injuries can occur. Please use caution when using anything made from PVC. Use of content for personal projects is at your own risk.

Life Hack 1: Limbo Stand

Limbo Stand

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe (2 pipe at 10 feet long)

- (4) Elbows

- (2) T-connectors

- 4.5 feet of 1/2-inch CPVC pipe or small thin bar

- Small wooden dowels

Tools:

- Drill

- Hammer

- Cutters

- Measuring tape

- Marker

Have you ever been at a party and someone suggests doing the limbo? Well here is a great way to make one using some PVC pipe and fittings.

You will first need 2 sections of 10 feet long pipe.

The first section of pipe will be cut in half, creating the 5 foot tall side bars.

Now lay these pipes side by side.

Staring from one end, measure up 2 feet and make a mark on the pipe.

From the first mark, measure up another 4 to 5 inches and place another mark.

Repeat this last step until you have several marks going straight up one side of the pipe.

Now take a drill and make a 1/4 inch hole at each mark.

Only drill through one side of the pipe.

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Once all of the holes have been drill, you will need to insert a wooden dowel into each hole.

The wooden dowels need to be slightly larger than the holes in the pipe.

I cut the dowels down to 2 inches and then hammered each of them into each hole.

Make sure they are perpendicular to the pipe.

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Next take the second 10 foot pipe and cut off a four foot section.

This will be your top support bar.

Use an elbow on each end to hold them together.

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The remaining pipe will be trimmed into 6 one foot sections.

These are for the base and legs.

Use one elbow facing outward that connects to a T-connector which uses two support legs.

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For the bar that goes across, I am using a 4.5 foot section of CPVC, but you can use anything lightweight that will stretch across and rest on the dowels.

Now it is time to have a little fun.

Life Hack 2: Dog Agility Poles

Dog Agility Poles

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe

- (2) Corner connectors

- (5) End caps

- (3) Specialty 4-way connectors

Have you ever seen the dog events where the pets run through a maze of obstacles? Those dogs can be very fast.

Well here is an easy way that you can make some agility poles for your dog, so they can be a little more nimble in regular life.

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In this build, I have 5 vertical poles but you can modify this to whatever length you prefer.

On the ends, I used corner connectors. These connectors allow one pole to be vertical and two to be horizontal.

For the middle three connectors, I used specialty 4-way fittings.

For all of the vertical poles, I made sure to have one horizontal pole to offset and pushing the dog may cause when passing through.

So make sure each of the poles alternate on the ground support.

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Make sure the vertical poles are taller than your dog so that he/she does not try to jump over any of them.

I also added an end cap to the top of the poles for additional safety.

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Have fun training your dog.

Life Hack 3: Fishing Tree

Fishing Tree

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe

- (4) 4-way connectors

- (1) T-connector

- 5-gallon bucket

- Concrete

If you have a pond or lake where you like to go fishing, then you are always trying to find the best spots.

Here is a way to improve you chances of catching those big fish.

First make sure you have permission to put structures in the water before building these projects.

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Fish love hiding around fallen trees and other structures in the water.

So for this build, I will show you how to build some fake trees using some PVC pipe.

I have two separate types, so use one or both for your area.

For both structures, I am using a 5-gallon bucket and some concrete to hold everything in place.

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For the first tree, I used a combination of 1/2-inch pipe, 4-way connectors, and a T-connector on top.

The length of pipe to use in the limbs going outward is up to you, but they should be between 2 to 3 feet long on each side.

I spaced each connector about 4 inches apart.

As I added a connector on each level, I gave it a slight twist, so the tree would be much fuller.

I would suggest gluing all of the pieces together or they may come apart over time.

Then secure everything with concrete in the bucket.

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For the second tree, I chose a much simpler design.

I cut several pipes into 5 foot sections and then placed them at various angles in the bucket.

I would suggest using 8 or more pipes to make the tree look more full.

Then secure the pipes with concrete.

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The best thing about these trees (if secured correctly) if they turn over in the water, they still provide a great hiding place for fish.

Life Hack 4: Umbrella Holder

Umbrella Holder

Need:

- 4-inch PVC pipe (18-24 inches long)

- Toilet Flange

- (4) 3-inch PVC pipe

- Zip ties

An umbrella holder is a great idea and easy to create.

I actually made 2 types for you to choose.

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The first is for the large umbrellas.

I used a 4-inch PVC pipe and attached it to a PVC toilet flange.

The flange creates a wide base and makes it harder for the pipe to fall over.

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The second holder is for the smaller umbrella.

I used 3-inch pipe and held four of them together using some zip ties.

This does not look as nice as the first holder but it can hold more umbrellas.

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You can decorate both of these holders to match your surroundings.

Life Hack 5: Garden/Plant Protection

Garden/Plant Protection

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe

- (8) Corner Connectors

- Chicken Wire

- Zip ties

Have you ever had a small raised bed garden, only to have some animals eat or destroy your plants?

Here is and easy way to protect your hard work.

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First, measure out the length and width pf the garden.

Then determine the max height of the plants.

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Next create a box shaped cube with 1/2-inch PVC and corner connectors.

The finished PVC box should fix over the top of your garden. Modify if needed.

Then take some chicken wire and wrap it around all sides except the bottom.

Secure the wire in place using some zip ties.

DO NOT pull the wire too tight or it will disfigure the shape of the box.

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The box weight should be fairly light.

My son could easily lift our box.

Have fun gardening.

Life Hack 6: Easel for Kids

Easel for Kids

Need:

- 3/4-inch PVC pipe

- (8) T-connectors

- (4) Elbows

- (4) End caps

If you have a child who loves to paint, here is an easy project for you.

I created this simple Easel for kids.

I am using all 3/4 inch PVC pipe and fittings to give this project a little more strength.

The length of the pipes can vary a little depending on the size you want to make it.

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I first started with the top. I have and elbow on each side and 2 T-connectors in the middle.

The elbows are for the front section and the T’s are for the rear legs.

The rear legs need to have a support bar connected with T’s somewhere in the middle.

This gives the legs strength and stability.

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On the front section, I added a support bar to add strength, but I also added a second set of T-connectors just below the support bar.

The second set of connectors is faced forward and an elbow is attached to each one.

The elbows are support holders for the canvas.

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The important thing to remember is that the front length needs to be about 2 inches shorter that the rear length.

By having the different sizes, will allow the front section to stand straighter than the rear section when in use.

This easel can be folded together so it can slide under a bed or put away in a closet.

Have fun painting.

Life Hack 7: Wrist Roller

Wrist Roller

Need:

- 1-inch PVC pipe (9 inches long)

- 10 LB weight

- Paracord (about 4 feet)

Tools:

- Drill

If you like to exercise, then you can make this very simple tool.

I first took a 9-inch section of 1-inch PVC pipe and drilled a hole all of the way through the center.

I then strung some paracord through the hole and made a knot on one end.

Next I tied the other end of the paracord to a 10LB weight.

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To exercise, hold the bar out in front of you with both hands.

Using just your wrists, twist the pipe to roll up the paracord around the pipe.

This with raise the weight and strengthen your forearms.

You can do this exercise in a forward and rearward direction.

Life Hack 8: Tree Swing

Tree Swing

Need:

- (2) 3-inch PVC pipe (18 inches long)

- Heavy duty rope

- Place to hang it

Tools:

- Drill

If you have ever wanted a tree swing, here is a simple technique to make one.

I took two sections of 3-inch PVC pipe that were cut to 18-inches in length.

I then took a drill and made a hole about 2 inches inward on both ends. The holes need to be all of the way through the pipe.

I next used some paracord to string up the pipe, but I strongly suggest you use some thicker and more durable rope to hang these pipes.

The rope goes through both pipes touching side-by-side.

By using two pipes, allows the seat to be a little flexible by twisting when needed.

This design is surprising comfortable.

Life Hack 9: Toilet Scrubber Holder

Toilet Scrubber Holder

Need:

- 3-inch PVC pipe (12 inches long)

- Toilet flange

- 3-inch test cap

- Toilet scrubber

Tools: (optional)

- Drill

- Glue

If you have a toilet then you need a toilet scrubber. But do you want to display this nasty tool to any one who uses your bathroom?

Here is a simple way to hide it.

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Using a 3-inch PVC pipe, I connected it to a toilet flange.

The flange provides good stability and the option to attach it to other bases.

The scrubber should be able to slide into the pipe without a problem.

You can also add a test cap to the top of the pipe to hide it even further.

Then you can decorate the pipe and flange with paint or fabric.

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An additional step would be to make a hole in the test cap and slide it over the scrubber.

You can then glue the test cap in place with about 4 inches of handle showing.

This will allow you to easily pull the scrubber out in the future.

Life Hack 10: Team Building Project

Team Building Project

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe

- Fittings and connectors (vary per setup)

If you are apart of a business team, then sometimes you need a little team building exercise.

Here is a simple way to do that with PVC pipe.

Each of the designs can vary greatly, so only take this as an example.

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First I created a structure. This just happens to be in the shape of a square.

I used a variety of elbows, T’s, and other various connectors to make this shape.

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The object of the exercise is to take all of the pieces apart and see if the group can put it back together.

There are two rules: (1) all of the pieces have to be used, and (2) there cannot be any open pipes or connectors. Every end has to be connected.

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If the group comes up with your design, that is great.

If the group comes up with a different design, that is great too.

The whole point of the exercise is to get the group to work together as a team.

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Have fun building.

10 Life Hacks With PVC #12