FREE PVC PROJECT PLANS,
IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS
(Note: Some plans are in common PDF format.
To read, you'll need Adobe.com's free Reader.)
This fun birdhouse is made from a PVC fence post. Eight pages with photos also include plans for my Easy 15-Minute Bird House. Great family project!
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Tool Holder for Garden Trailer
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Photo 2
When our neighbor lady brought home a garden trailer kit, I helped her assemble it. After completing the project I thought a helpful add-on would be to install a few holders to help her haul garden tools around.
So I cut five 20-inch lengths of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe and fastened them to the inside front of the trailer with pipe straps and 5/8-inch long 1/4-inch bolts, lock washers and nuts.
To keep water and debris out, I set the pipe 3/4-inches up from the floor of the trailer using an old board as a guide. (See Photo 1.)
You can also add garden tool holders to the PVC Trailer, when you decide to make your own.
PVC Truck Clock
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A few months ago, the clock on my old F-150 stopped working. So I bought a digital stick-on version, which lasted about as long as Sunday dinner. I happened to have a left-over clock face from another project. So I grabbed a 3-inch PVC cap and drilled a 7/8-inch hole in the back (to help remove the clock to change the battery) and painted it. Then I stuck some Velcro on the back and on the dashboard. Lastly, I inserted the clock face into the cap and affixed the unit where I could see it well. By the way, the clock face was a hair too small for the cap, so I wrapped tape around the perimeter of the clock to snug it up. I could've wrapped tape inside the cap, but the way I did it was easier... not necessarily better. Now I can actually see the time without squinting!
Bungie and Tie-Down Holders
I make use of scrap 3 & 4-inch PVC pipe to hold bungie cords and tie-downs behind the seat in my trusty old F-150.
Keeps 'em tidy and at the ready.
No tangles here!
PVC Sword
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Materials
About 4-feet of 1/2-inch PVC Pipe
Four 1/2-inch Caps
One 1/2-inch Cross
Two 1/2/-inch Elbows
Small Can of PVC Cement
Directions
The "blade" is 24-inches long, the grip is 6-inches and each section of the hand guard is 4-inches. The two nipples measure 1-inch each.
You can make yours any dimension you want, of course.
Three PVC Slingshots
You'll enjoy making and playing with these slingshots. Each are quick 'n easy to put together. And I predict you'll have more fun than a barrel of monkeys. (Children should be adult supervised.)
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PVC Rubber Band Shooter
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My two youngest grandsons have a blast shooting rubber bands at pop can targets outside. The gun is made with 1/2-inch PVC pipe and is easy 'n quick to assemble. Here's how...
Materials
8-inch PVC Pipe for the barrel
4-inch PVC Pipe for the handle
45° Elbow
Binder Clip
1/2-inch Sheet Metal Screw with Washer
Rubber Bands (of course)
Directions
Attach the barrel and handle to the elbow, as shown. Drill a starter hole, then screw on the binder clip. Finally, cut or file a notch at the tip of the barrel to hold the rubber band in place. Paint the Shooter, if you'd like.
Alternative: Attach a second binder clip to the top of the gun to hold two rubber bands.
PVC Lamp
Click Here for Free Plans
The Poor Wood Turner's
Lathe Dust Control Stand
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Materials
10-foot length of 1-inch PVC Pipe
One 5-way Cross
One Tee
One Ell
Four End Caps
Two 2 1/2-inch Bolts, Nuts, Washers
You can make your own 5-way cross, if you prefer. Just follow the plans to make the Light Stand near the bottom of the next Free Plans page.
The four legs attached to the cross are 12-inches long. The vertical pipe should be cut to suit your lathe.
Attach a ready-made dust collection hood to the stand, or make your own.
Simple, Quick PVC Pipe Cutting Aid
Photo 1 /
Photo 2
Cut two V-notches in the top of a 5-gallon bucket. Place the pipe into the notches and... presto! You've got a steady pipe-cutting aid for pipe up to 3-inches in diameter.
I first made a 3-1/2-inch cardboard triangle (photo #1, bottom of bucket), traced it on the inside of the bucket with a permanent marker, then cut it out with a hacksaw.
The beauty of this "tool" is you can also load it with fittings, pieces and tools to take with you.
Rake Extension
Insert your rake into the appropriate-size PVC pipe to extend its reach. Now you can easily remove hard-to-get debris from rooftops and under decks with ease.
Drill a couple of holes though the pipe and rake handle. Then fasten with nuts 'n bolts.
Shop Vac Floor Sweeper
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Photo #2
Photo #3 /
Photo #4
Photo #5 /
Photo #6
This lightweight Sweeper is a handy picker-upper for your shop, garage or wherever you accumulate debris. I use it for a quick removal of sawdust and PVC "dust" on my shop floor. It's dirt-cheap & quick to make, and works like a charm. In fact, I made mine with leftovers from other projects.
Materials
Five-foot length of 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe
One Tee
One Coupler (or one Elbow, see "Note" below)
Two End Caps
Small bottle of PVC cement
Duct tape
Directions
Cut two 12-inch lengths of pipe for the "working" end of the Sweeper. The upright length can vary according to your height. I cut mine 3-feet.
Glue it together so it looks like the one in Photo #6.
Next, I cut a slot the entire length of the bottom of the Sweeper (Photos #1, #2, #3) by making a couple of passes on my table saw. If you don't have a table saw, a Dremel tool will work, although it's much slower and less accurate. Before cutting the slot, be sure to set the Sweeper on the saw at an angle. (Photo #5.) You might want to hold it on the floor first to determine the most comfortable angle, then mark the angle.
Lastly, I duct taped around the Coupler a few times so it would fit snugly into my shop vac hose (Photo #4).
Note: For a better hose angle, you may want to attach a PVC Elbow rather than a Coupler.
That's all there is to it. The sweeper isn't fancy, but it sure does get the job done!
PVC Walking Canes
The darker colored cane is made with 1-inch PVC pipe and the lighter one from 3/4-inch.
First, cut the pipe about 6-inches longer than you need. Trim to length when you're finished. To wood-grain the pipe, see How to "Wood-Grain PVC Pipe in 3 Easy Steps. Prepare the pipe by sanding, then bend one end in any manner that pleases you. You can learn how to bend by reading How to Bend PVC Pipe.
At each end of the cane, I inserted an internal cap rather than an external cap (the little white thing in the photo). You can find them in the Sources section of the PVC Workshop. As an alternative, attach a rubber tip at the bottom for better traction.
The last step is to stain the cane. The dark cane in the photo was finished in Red Oak wood stain. The other, Fruitwood.
Simple Screwdriver Holder
I made this screwdriver holder by drilling holes through a 2-foot length of leftover 1 1/4-inch pipe. The holes are spaced on 2-inch centers. (My handy Drilling Jig can be helpful here.)
Now your screwdrivers can then be organized by type and size.
Got a lot of screwdrivers? Make the organizer longer. Or make several.
Useful Ideas
Idea #1: Trash Bag Holder
I made a couple of trash bag holders. One of them I wanted to attach to the door for the space under the kitchen sink. The door was too thin to put in screws to properly hold the PVC, without the points of the screws showing through the front of the door. My wife, suggested sticking industrial strength Velcro to the door and to the holder, then putting them together.
Worked like a charm. I have used this idea for other PVC projects.
George S., Texas
Idea #2: Vacuum Hose Extender for Hard-to-Reach Locations
Simply attach a length of PVC pipe to the end of your vacuum hose and, if necessary, wrap the connection with duct tape. Now you’re ready to clean the cobwebs from the ceiling and corners. If you want to get fancy, cut the "business end" of the pipe at an angle then heat it to form an long oval, which will make it easier to reach into corners.
Electric Extension Cord Holder
Cut a 4-inch length of 1 1/2-inch pipe to make this convenient extension cord holder.
No more tangles!
Use 2-inch pipe for longer utility extension cords.
Mind the (Tailgate) Gap
When unloading barkdust, dirt, mulch and such from my pickup, debris would always clog the tailgate opening. And make a nice mess on the ground, to boot. One time, I even had to pry gravel out of the gap.
Enter my simple solution.
I lay a length of PVC pipe in the gap. Then sweep right over it. When not in use, I store the pipe behind the seat. Problem solved. Easy peasy!
PVC Water Blaster
FREE PLANS
PVC Dowel Holder
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Materials
3 or 4-inch PVC drainpipe (schedule 40 works, too... I just had these scraps on hand)
Scrap piece of 1/2-inch plywood
1/2 or 3/4-inch sheet metal screws
3/4-inch wood screws and washers
Directions
Cut the drainpipe to whatever sizes you want, as many as you want. Cut circles from the scrap plywood. Secure the circle at one end of the pipe with two screws. Drill a pilot hole in the pipe opposite a drain hole (top and bottom) then fasten the pipe to the wall with wood screws & washers. (I used a long screwdriver attachment with my cordless drill.)
PVC Pencil Shooter
Materials
5-inch length of 1/2-inch PVC Pipe
1/2-inch Tee
1/2-inch Cap
Balloon
Directions
After assembling the toy, attach a balloon to one end of the Tee and push it through to the other side using a pencil.
To use, insert a pencil into the toy, pull back the balloon with pencil and "fire."
Fun for outside target shooting. Children should be adult supervised.
Blower Brush
Bristle Brush Attached to
PVC Downspout Adapter /
Slots Cut to Attach
to Leaf Blower
Clamp Tightens Pipe to Blower /
Blower Brush Ready for Work
My aging asphalt driveway is lined with fir trees. Problem is, they lose a lot of needles and they can be difficult to blow off the rough surface. So I came up with this handy leaf blower accessory. The heavy-duty bristle brush attached to the PVC pipe pries the needles loose while the blower does, well, what a blower does.
It's easy, quick and inexpensive to make. And, while I haven't tried it yet, it should be work well to help remove roof moss.
Materials
Short length of 3-inch PVC thinwall drain pipe
Downspout adapter
Heavy-duty bristle brush
Clamp
Two bolts, nuts and washers
Instructions
Cut the pipe to the appropriate length for your blower. (Be sure to consider the length of the downspout adapter.) Cut slots at one end to help clamp it tightly to your blower. Bolt the brush to the other end of the pipe. Then clamp the device to your blower.
Garden Hose Guide
Insert the spike into the washer and pipe. Then push the spikes into the ground where needed. /
Materials
10-inch spike
1 1/2-inch washer
1/2-inch PVC pipe cut to 3-inches
Make several to keep your hose from damaging garden plants.
Rag Dispenser
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This handy rag dispenser is made with a length of 4" PVC drainpipe and cap. Drill a 3" hole near the bottom, just above the cap using a hole saw or jig saw. (See How to Cut & Glue.)
The dispenser is attached to my shop wall with one screw through the back of the large hole (made with the hole saw pilot bit) and one screw just inside the top opening. Since the inside of the pipe is slick, rags slide downward each time you pull one out.
Idea: make yours with perforated drainpipe to see when the rag supply is getting low.
Ideal for shops, garage, laundry room and craft room.
Pruner Extender
For those limbs that are just out of reach, slide your pruner handles into lengths of PVC pipe.
Attach with a couple of nuts and bolts. Remove the pipe when you're done and set them aside for another day.
Shop-Vac Wand
Photo #1
Photo #2
The Wand really comes in handy when you need to get into tight spaces. In my shop, I use it to get under power tools. I made this one about 18-inches long because that's the length of a scrap piece I had laying around. A 24-inch Wand would be better.
Materials
Short length of 1 1/4-inch PVC pipe
One Elbow
Duct tape
PVC cement
Directions
Although the Wand appears to be simple to make, the tricky part is heating the pipe so it flattens like you see in Photo #1.
I used the PVCbendit device, which made it easier. After heating thoroughly, quickly place the pipe between a couple of boards and compress tightly with two or three clamps.
When cool, glue the elbow onto the round end. I cut the smashed end at a 45-degree angle for no particular reason.
Wrap duct tape around the elbow so it'll fit into your shop-vac hose (Photo #2).
If possible, it's better to use a thin-wall PVC pipe rather than schedule 40. It's easier and quicker to heat and flatten.
Save Your Back
Move really heavy objects by rolling them over lengths of PVC pipe, similar to what the ancient Egyptians did.
If you're rolling objects over grass, dirt or rough terrain, use 3 to 4-inch diameter pipe. Smaller diameter pipe for inside items.
Simple Hamburger Pattie Ring
If you want perfectly round hamburger patties every time, slice a ring from a piece of 3-inch PVC pipe.
Then fill the ring to the top with hamburger. Pack so it's even all around.
Remove the meat from ring and toss it on the grill. Perfect!
Tip: "grease" the inside of the ring so you can easily remove the hamburger.
PVC Toys
My two youngest grandsons love playing with leftover pieces of PVC pipe. I throw a bunch of extra fittings into the box from time to time and they can spend hours having "low tech" fun. Much better (to me, at least) than watching Sponge Bob or playing computer games.
The pipe lengths range from 6-inches to 16-inches. So far, I've filled three boxes like the one in the photo.
It's a great imagination and skill builder. I'm always amazed at what they come up with.
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Make unique PVC items for your
home... kids... pets... shop...
yard 'n garden... more.
Click here for all the Workshop's PVC Plans
PVC Sanding File
Here's another useful tool for your shop or around the house. Attach sandpaper to a 10-inch length of 1-inch diameter PVC pipe. I glue two grits on the pipe, 60 or 80-grit on one side, and 100 - 120-grit on the other.
To fasten the sandpaper to the pipe, cut the sandpaper to size, then spray the paper and the pipe with adhesive. Let the surfaces set a few minutes before placing the paper onto the pipe. When the sandpaper is worn out, simply peal it off and apply a new one.
Use various diameter pipe for different radii.
Rise Up Chaise Lounge!
My wife wanted her chaise lounge raised.
So, here's what I came up with.
FREE PLANS
SOLUTION... How to Remove Pipe
Easier when "Dry-Fitting"
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Ever have a hard time removing pipe from a "dry-fit?" Try this: First, insert the pipe into a fitting. Then trace around the pipe to mark where the cuts should end. Remove and saw down to the mark with a hacksaw, as seen in the above photos. Now the pipe will slide in and out with ease. Repeat at the ends of each pipe in your project. This works especially well for projects that get knocked-down and reassembled frequently, such as display units. The only problem I see with this solution is the pipe might become too loose over time. Anyway, give it a try.
Note: don't do this for plumbing applications!
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