How to Make a Rod from Solid PVC
Making a rod from solid PVC isn't difficult because round PVC is already in rod shape. Whether you're using the rod for plastic welding or another purpose, PVC is cheap, durable and readily available. So long as you have PVC cutters, making a rod shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes after you've bought the PVC and accessory equipment.
Things You'll Need
- Solid PVC
- PVC cutters
- 1 male PVC coupling
- 1 female PVC coupling
- PVC primer
- Adhesive cement
Instructions
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1
Buy round, solid PVC at an online vendor. You'll have a number of choices about the PVC's color, size, weight, tolerance and malleability. PVC usually comes in gray, black, white or clear. You will be able to choose what length of PVC you want. The thinner PVC, particularly those less than 1/2 an inch thick, will come in coils. You'll also want to ask the manufacturer about the overall straightness of the PVC you're purchasing. Tell it you don't want the PVC to have any camber or bowing, which means the PVC arcs even slightly.
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2
Buy PVC cutters while you wait for the PVC to be delivered to your shipping address. Cutters are better than scissors at cutting PVC for a few reasons: they're designed to hold the PVC for easy cutting; they have mechanical advantages to the design of scissors, so that it's easier to cut; and they can be ratcheted to different sizes to better fit the PVC you bought. A pair of PVC cutters will cost you about $20 at any hardware store, such as Home Depot or Lowe's.
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Buy 1 male coupling and 1 female coupling the same width as the solid PVC you ordered. These couplings will allow you to attach your rod to other rods. Also, buy the PVC primer and adhesive cement.
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Mark a line on the PVC bar to match the length you want your rod to be. Take the PVC and hold one end stable with one hand while with your other hand you hold the PVC cutters along the line you measured out. Cut at that line. You may need to adjust the size of the PVC cutters in order to make a smooth cut.
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5
Clean the ends of the PVC rod with a damp cloth if you want to attach the PVC coupling. These will allow your rod to attach to other rods.
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Apply the PVC primer to the ends of the rod that you cleaned. The chemical primer stinks, so apply it in a well-ventilated area.
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Apply the cement to the ends of the rod and quickly slide on the male and female couplings. The cement dries in less than a minute.
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