Projects Done With PVC Pipe
Widely used since the mid-20th century, polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipe is a strong, versatile plastic material that is resistant to weathering, flames oil and chemicals. PVC piping used in construction and plumbing can also be re-tasked for a variety of personal use projects --- limited only by the imagination, ability and budget.
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Educational Projects
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You can use PVC pipe for educationally based projects that instructors can incorporate into art and topic-based curricula. For example, teachers can shape and connect PVC into the frame --- the skeleton --- of an animal, like a giraffe or an elephant. Cover that frame structure with fabric remnants you can find in thrift or fabric stores. Teachers can then have the students decorate the animal's "skin" and paint a mural background for the animal. Instructors can then use this PVC craft project as a basis for a unit on the study of African animals or ecology.
Home Use
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PVC pipes have many uses for the home improvement enthusiast. To decorate house windows, you can build a simple awning frame with PVC pipe and cover it with parachute, nylon or canvass materials for the shade. This project needs 1-inch PVC pipe, three-way fittings, 45-degree connectors and male-to-female adaptors. Homeowners can also create elevated food and water bowel stands for their pets --- especially useful for aging dogs and cats. You can also use leftover 1 ½-inch PVC piping to create a floor-based towel rack.
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Recreational Uses
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If you're handy with an electric drill and hacksaw, you can build a "Waterzooka": a water battle weapon that can shoot a quart of water 50 feet in less than ten seconds. This device requires an O-ring, various sizes of PVC pipes and a PVC cap, reducer, coupler and tee.
You can also buy various kits and plans to make environmentally friendly "green" vehicles that use PVC pipes and pedal power. For example, for approximately $400 in parts, "The Sun Coaster" is a four-wheel adult cycle that uses PVC piping, hardware and parts from old bicycles that seniors can use for exercise and errand-running.
Gardening
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The home gardener can use PVC for many purposes. To extend growing seasons or protect plants, you can use straight or curved PVC to create the frames used for arched hoop houses or greenhouses; snap and grip clamps connect the sections of PVC pipe and attach the plastic sheeting to the PVC. You can also create hanging planters --- which use a length of 4-inch PVC and 1½ diameter holes drilled throughout. Glue an end cap to the bottom and drill four small holes near the center for water drainage. When completed, hang the planter using equal lengths of twine, wire or chain and four small S hooks; then add the soil and the plants.
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References
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