Directions for a PVC Lamp Post

Construct an inexpensive lamp post out of PVC pipe.

A PVC lamp post can brighten up your patio, deck, sidewalk or campsite. A lamp post constructed of PVC pipe is lightweight, which makes it portable enough to carry on camping trips and allows it be moved throughout your home. The materials used to build a PVC lamp post are inexpensive and readily available. Build several lamp posts to line a sidewalk or driveway for less than the average purchase price of one lamp post.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch PVC pipe, 20 feet
• 1-inch PVC pipe, 10 feet
• Hacksaw
• 2-inch 90-degree PVC elbows, 4 pieces
• 2-inch PVC tees, 3 pieces
• PVC glue
• 2-by-1 ½-inch PVC 4-way fitting
• 1-by-1½ inch PVC reducers, 2 pieces
• 3/4-inch wood dowel, 4 feet long
• 1-inch PVC cap, two pieces
• 2-by-3-inch PVC shower drain
• Screwdriver
• Hand-held rotary tool
• Sanding stone
• Post lamp
• 10-foot long extension cord
• Utility knife
• Electrical tape
• 25-foot long extension cord

Instructions

1. Cut 2-inch PVC pipe with a hacksaw. One piece should be 4 feet long for the crossbar; five pieces should be 1 foot long for the light stand and part of the base; two pieces should be 2 feet long for part of the base; and two pieces should be 11 inches long for part of the base.

2. Cut 1-inch PVC pipe into two sections measuring 18 inches long for the crossbar.

3. Place a 2-inch 90-degree PVC elbow on both ends of both of the 2-foot sections of 2-inch PVC pipe. Insert a 1-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into each of the four 90-degree elbows and use 2-inch PVC tees to join the 1-foot sections. This is the outer frame of the base.

4. Insert an 11-inch section of 2-inch PVC pipe into both tees on the base. Join the 11-inch sections with a 2-inch PVC tee and secure these sections with PVC glue. Rotate the tee so that the top of the tee is at a 90-degree angle from the base.

5. Insert the 4-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into the tee on the base. Place a 2-by-1½-inch PVC four-way fitting on the end of the pipe and glue 1-by-1½-inch PVC reducers into both sides of the four-way fitting. Insert an 18-inch-long section of 1-inch PVC pipe into both reducers. This is the crossbar.

6. Insert a 4-foot-long piece of 3/4-inch wood dowel into the crossbar. Use PVC glue to secure a 1-inch PVC cap on both ends of the crossbar.

7. Remove the screws on a 2-by-3-inch PVC shower drain with a screwdriver. Remove the cap. Use a hand-held rotary tool with a sanding stone to remove the lip located inside the drain. Insert a 1-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into the drain and secure with PVC glue.

8. Cut off the female end of a 10-foot-long extension cord with a utility knife. Insert the cut end of the cord into the bottom of the four-way fitting and push it up and out of the top of the lamp post. Wire the extension cord to a post lamp by wrapping the coordinating color wires to each other and cover the bare wires with electrical tape.

9. Drill a hole through the post large enough for the extension cord to fit through, using a hand-held rotary tool. Push the female end of a 25-foot-long extension cord into the hole and plug the male end of the 10-foot cord into it. Place the post lamp on top of the lamp post.

References

• The Pafford Family: RV Lamp Post