Jordan Bunker - PVC and Pipe Engineer: Put Together Cool, Easy, Maker-Friendly Stuff

PUT TOGETHER COOL, EASY, MAKER-FRIENDLY STUFF

JORDAN BUNKER

There was a time when PVC and iron pipe were hidden deep inside the crawlspaces in your house, carrying liquids and gases to and from sinks and appliances. But not any more! The straightforward, no nonsense look of PVC and iron pipe has caught on with homeowners and earned a place in every room of the house (and the backyard, too).

The 17 projects in this book, ranging from wine racks to bed frames, and from showerheads to bike trailers, can all be made with parts youll find at your local hardware store.

There are projects here for all skill levels. Once you learn the basics of cutting and joining iron pipe and PVC, youll be surprised at how easily even the big projects go together. Whether youre building a superpowered water blaster, a minimalist modern ceiling lamp, or even just a simple candle holder, the illustrated how-to steps in this book will show even first-time DIYers how to build projects theyre proud of.

Ready? Clear some space, get out your tools, and lets get to it!

I know, I know, youre eager to get started, but its important to learn a bit about the materials youll be working with first. Here, well cover the basic terminology, tools, and techniques that will prepare you for the projects to come. After reading this section, youll have all of the information you need to avoid confusion, acquire the right tools, and build with confidence.

PVC PIPE

Nothing can make you lose enthusiasm for a project faster than getting home from the hardware store and realizing that the things you bought arent quite right for the project at hand. If youve never worked with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe before, youll do yourself a favor to learn a little bit about it before you shell out your hard-earned dollars for supplies. Here are a few PVC pipe facts and pointers to help you get started.

In its humble history, PVC pipe was designed for use in plumbing for passing wastewater along to the sewer. Thats what its designed to do, but it can also be used as a light-duty structural component and for (somewhat) high-pressure applications, too.

PVC comes in different sizes. The listed diameter of PVC pipe corresponds to its internal diameter (ID). This is a nominal measurement, that is, in name only, not an actual measurement. Be sure to note what diameter PVC pipe is called for in a project, and make sure the diameter of the pipe matches the diameter of the fitting you purchase. Its a good idea to test your fittings on your pipe while youre at the store, just to be sure.

You may have heard of pipes having a schedule, as in schedule 40 or schedule 80. A PVC pipes schedule is related to the thickness of the pipes walls. The higher the schedule number, the thicker the pipe walls. In this book, well deal exclusively with schedule 40 PVC pipe.

FITTINGS

PVC fittings are designed to fit over the ends of pipe, allowing two or more pieces to join in different directions or to cap off the ends. Thanks to the complexity of modern plumping systems, PVC fittings come in hundreds of shapes and sizes, designed for all diameter of pipe. There are even companies that make nonplumbing PVC fittings specifically for making furniture. Not surprisingly, these are known as furniture-grade fittings. Whenever possible in this book, Ill stick to the more common plumbing fittings, as theyre more likely to be found in your local hardware store. On those rare occasions when only a specialized fitting will do, Ill provide as much information as possible about it and where you can get it.

CUTTING

When it comes to cutting PVC pipe, there are a couple of options: a hacksaw or a tubing cutter.

Hacksaw. I like this option because most everyone with a workbench and toolbox already has a hacksaw [A]. While it may not leave the cleanest edge, any burrs and marks that a hacksaw leaves behind can be smoothed with a file and sandpaper. A hacksaw also offers great versatility, allowing you to cut plastic pipe of any diameter at any angle, or in any required shape.

Tubing cutter. This tool is designed specifically for cutting plastic tubing. Its quick, efficient, leaves a very clean edge, and it doesnt leave any PVC dust behind. However, most tubing cutters will cut only relatively narrow diameter pipe: up to 1/" or 2" (40 or 50 mm). Beyond that, youll need a saw. Additionally, a tubing cutter [C] is typically used to cut pipe perpendicular to its length, so fancy angled cuts are, again, best left to the hacksaw.

ASSEMBLING

When test-fitting pipe into PVC fittings, youll discover it sometimes helps to give things a little friendly percussive force. For this, I recommend a rubber mallet [B]. Its soft rubber end has enough give to prevent damage to the PVC, and it will help seat the pieces firmly. This is especially useful on large projects.

GLUING

The process of gluing pieces of PVC pipe into fittings is solvent-based rather than adhesive. First, to prepare the plastic for bonding, youll apply a primer to the outside end of the pipe and to the interior of the fitting. Then you apply cement over the primer and assemble the pieces. The cement melts the plastic slightly so that, when it sets up, the pipe and fitting become a single piece of PVCa very strong bond. The primer and cement are frequently sold together in packs. Each chemical has its own dauber attached to the lid.

Many of the PVC primers and cements that youll find at the hardware store have brightly colored dyes added to them, which makes it easier to verify that joints have been glued. If youre worried about the appearance of the project, and you dont plan on painting it, I recommend finding transparent primer and cement to keep your project looking clean.

DRILLING

PVC is a soft plastic, and drilling it is fairly straightforward. Most drill bits made for metal or wood can be used on PVC without any issue. However, there is one trick. Since pipe is round, it can be difficult to get a hole started. Before starting a hole, its a good idea to make a small divot with a nail or prick-punch, so that the drill bit has a starting point and wont slide. I also recommend clamping the pipe in a vice, or at the very least, attaching a long clamp and holding it with your nondrill hand to keep the pipe from rolling.

CLEANING

PVC is typically white, which means that dirt and all manner of scuff marks show up easily. Additionally, the PVC you buy at the hardware store is often printed with text that identifies its properties. There are two good ways to remove the unsightly text and marks: acetone or sanding.