When you're using vacuum power, moving water, or compressing air, it's more than likely being done with some sort of pump. I'll be needing a pump for some of my future projects, so in this tutorial, I'll be showing you how to make your own customizable PVC hand pump that will ...more
Poke, jab, and stab your opponent without taking out an eye. You Will Need * 1/2-inch PVC pipe * A hacksaw * Measuring tape * Sandpaper * Gray duct tape * A swim noodle * A razor blade * 100% silicon caulk * A caulk gun * Open cell foam * Electrical tape * Cellophane (optional ...more
Tim Carter shows a clever method that prevents tree roots from entering an underground sewer or septic line. Check for underground utilities before attempting this project. In the spring, trees start to bloom and grow leaves. But they also have aggressive root growth. These r ...more
If you need a dolly for your movie masterpiece, you don't need to go with a professional dolly system. You can save that money for your expensive actors and actresses by building your own DIY camera dolly on the cheap. You'll need some nuts and bolts, PVC pipes, scrap wood, dr ...more
I know it seems a little redundant to post this when I've already posted a video, but it is kind of hard to get more than a vague idea from the video alone. I hope this sheds a little more light on the subject. I'm sure it also seems like I'm beating this idea to death, but th ...more
This week, I've been working on a project that sort of takes a spin off an old-style potato gun. Using PVC pipe and the rapid combustion of hairspray, we can launch a rocket hundreds of feet into the sky. As usual for my projects, I tried to use only materials and parts that a ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to install a sump pump. Steps: 1 Set sump basin upside down on basement floor; mark its outline on floor. 2 Use demolition hammer to chop through concrete floor. 3 Dig hole deep enough to set basin flush with floor. 4 Wrap the ...more
A whole is drilled into the cap of a barrel with a 3 1/4 inch bit and another one an inch or more below the top and one of 3 inches width on the next side. Spreaded adapters ends are wrapped with plumbers tape; to prevent water leaks. The ends are then screwed together and pla ...more
You can make a rocket at home using these items found around the house. Icing sugar, measuring tape, a PVC pipe, black marker, hammer, flat headed bolt around 18 millimeters wide , mortar and pestle, drill, drill bit size 5 millimeter, potassium nitrate and kitty litter. You ...more
This is definitely the work of a Trekkie. Reddit user ModXMV shared the below image of his uncle's new homemade Star Trek mailbox. It's constructed of different-sized PVC pipe, a plastic dish container, wood, lights, etc. It even has a solar panel attached so it can light up ...more
Taking photos in the dark or in low-light settings can be tricky. Just using your normal flash can make your subject look washed out, but not using it can result in a totally dark photo with no subject at all. This DIY light by professional photographer Simon Ellingsworth of ...more
Traditional Aboriginal didgeridoos are made from trees that have been hollowed out by termites. Finishing work to smooth out surfaces and decorate the didgeridoo would soon follow. Lucky for you, you don't have to spend lots of money or find a hollowed out tree to create a did ...more
These are simple instructions on how to construct a PVC didgeridoo. You must work in a well ventilated area as you are dealing with heat and PVC fumes. You need a heat gun, pipe clamp, screwdriver, pipe cutter, dremel, PVC pipe, buffing bit and bucket of water. This is a detai ...more
What more to say? It's a light saber! You will need need 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe, a dremel, a drill, a hot glue gun, a riveter, some rivets, a 12 inch metal pipe, a brass nut, a beveled rubber washer, a one inch thumb screw, a rubber door sealer and some hardware. Construct a real ...more
Check out this video tutorial on how to make cheap dragon wings, controlled by body posture. You can do this project for $18 if you use plastic garbage bags and Scotch tape for the membranes. You'll see how to make very light and strong costume wings. How strong? That strong. ...more
This tutorial shows you a very basic method to create an effective boffer sword using PVC pipe, a foam noodle, duct tape and some open-cell foam for a stabbing-safe tip. You're also shown a good method for constructing the hilt. This is a great tutorial for anyone looking to m ...more
So, for this video you're gonna get a cool twofer! Are you making a cop movie? Or maybe a Sci-Fi military movie? Check out this awesome video, in it, you will learn how to make your own DIY grenades with some PVC pipe and also how to make those silver flying spheres from the P ...more
Real rockets require top ingenuity from physics and engineering experts, but you can construct a smaller replica that costs almost nothing can can be made from materials you already have at home or can find at a hardware store. Watch this video to learn how to create a soda b ...more
Have you ever wanted to launch your own rocket? Well, now you can, with little more than a two liter soda bottle, wire hangers, a bicycle pump and some PVC pipe Build a soda bottle water rocket. Click through to watch this video on pbs.org
Feeling a bit like Bonnie or Clyde, without the reckless disregard for human life? This mini machine gun is a great prop for Halloween or a homemade action movie. You will need a joystick, pipe, cardboard, a small box, PVC pipe, a cylindrical box, a hot glue gun, a sharp knife ...more
Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates how to get a leak free fit for plumbing when using PVC pipe and fittings with primer and PVC cement.
Here is my entry for this weeks giveaway Tuesdays. It is my home made potato cannon rev2. The next step is to spray paint it so the purple isn't showing and to fix the valve. It was originally all 1inch PVC pipe but i cut the chamber and barrel off and made it 2inch PVC for bi ...more
WOO! These people take beautiful design to ridiculous extremes, taking PVC pipe, sheet and cloth to previously unexplored heights. This is a must-see for people who are in the PVC and design worlds.
These guys take found item recycling to the max. This isn't exactly the most useful application for recycling, but if the stuff is going to be around for the next couple of thousand years, it might as well look cool. These guys use polystyrene cups, PVC pipe and cereal boxes ...more
Theo Jansen is really cool. If you dig around in the corkboard here, you can find another video about him. He makes amazing kinetic sculptures from PVC pipe, and has a wonderful artistic point of view. I just discovered this old TEDTalks podcast via Taylor Browning's site. Fan ...more
With some PVC Pipe and little mesh, you too can have backyard chickens!
This project is intended to reuse PVC that makes up the images on billboards and make them into houses for disaster and poverty stricken people. While the images are definitely cg mockups, the concept is awesome. I've personally been working on disaster relief shelters, but my ...more
This is an in-depth tutorial page that teaches flute making theory and shows how to make several different (they have freakin' tables of information and dimensions) flutes from ordinary PVC pipe.
Not only am I not the only one, but I'm not the only one saying I'm not the only one! This is the open submission page at pvcworkshop.com, so these are pictures from all sorts of people who have the same, er, affinity towards PVC pipe. It's almost like a support group for ena ...more
This is what happens when grad students start playing with PVC pipe. This stuff is really cool for prototype robotics applications. This article is a how-we-did-it as opposed to a how-to, but if you've got all of the crazy instrumentation and software that they do, you can sta ...more
In this tutorial, learn a great, fast way to get your plants growing. This hydroponic system will keep your plants happy and healthy for much longer than old fashioned planting. This video will show you exactly how to set up a flood drain system using PVC pipe and other cheap ...more
Instead of hiring a professional plumber, get free advice from one in this video presented by Fine Home Building. Follow a professional plumber as he shows you how to replace a kitchen sink trap. You'll learn how to layout, cut, and cement PVC pipe.
Watch this instructional crochet video to crochet broomstick lace. This crochet method creates an intricate snowflake pattern. Use any type of yarn, a crochet needle and a size 19 knitting needle to complete this project. You can even use a knitting needle made out of a PVC pi ...more
Check out this step by step instructional video to learn how to make a Cosplay Sword from cardboard and wood! Make sure you have all of the following materials to start making your Cosplay sword: spray paint, hard cardboard, wooden dowel, bendable metal wire, silver colored ta ...more
This is a short video of a DIY filter for a small aquarium. It works off the same concept as a sponge filter, but could be built to use and common HOB filter. You will need a Cool Whip container, a PVC pipe, silicone, airline and a pump. Watch this video pet care tutorial and ...more
Don't take shaky footage? Make a homemade steadicam and use it to prevent jumpy shots. You will need two lawn mower wheels, nuts, PVC pipe, a tri pod head, a bar, wood, and zip ties. Watch this video cinematography tutorial and learn how to build a hand held steadicam from sim ...more
Shoot an action-packed close up, or film while you're biking around. All you need to do is build a simple bicycle camera mount. You'll need a tripod mount, PVC pipe, pliers, bungee cord, a U bolt and a bike. Watch this video cinematography tutorial and learn how to build a bic ...more
Learn how to build a recorder out of cheap parts (pvc pipe and dowel rod) and common tools.
Ask the Builder host, Tim Carter, demonstrates why a right angle saw is a much better tool than a hold saw, in particular situations. Your plumbing PVC pipe will fit nice and snug, and this tip will save you time and money.
This is a sweet video showing you how to make a sick electric motor! You'll need some wood, a battery, and some PVC pipe, along with a few other things, and you'll be on your way to making that perfect electric motor of yours.
Check out this video to get tips on how to make a wilderness quiver. Watch to learn what materials to use, including a PVC pipe. Part 1 of 2 - How to Make a wilderness quiver. Part 2 of 2 - How to Make a wilderness quiver.
This video will show you how to make some cheap Star Wars light saber movie props with a few hardware store items such as pvc pipe, pool cues, duct tape, electrical tape, and spray paint. Part 1 of 3 - How to Make a cheap lightsaber prop from Star Wars. Part 2 of 3 - How to M ...more
This shows you how to make a didgeridoo, the Australian tribal instrument, out of PVC pipe.
These goggles are great for a stage prop, cosplay, Halloween, or any videos you may make! They're made to look like Sam Fisher's tridents from the game series Splinter Cell. Materials Goggles (any will do... ski goggles, swim goggles, safety goggles, etc.) Glue PVC (1¼-inch) ...more
Check out this video guide on how to make a cheap special effects blood cannon. This inexpensive SFX machine not only cheap, but an effective Special FX blood cannon for any zombie movie or gunshot wound or blood splatter effect! The blood cannon shooter parts: 22mm PVC pipe ...more
Video: . Learn how to build your very own water balloon launcher out of PVC pipe.
If you need a Halloween costume posthaste, you really can't go wrong with a LEGO man costume. And one made from cardboard that is fully functional, well, you'll probably win the "Best Costume" contest hands down. Not only will this mecha-esque costume wow everyone you meet, bu ...more
You can bet Thor costumes will be prominent among the superheroes seen this Oct. 31. Since the summer, there has been no shortage of coverage for Thor: Ragnarok, and the timing of its November release couldn't be better as a tie-in with the cosplaying holiday known as Hallowee ...more
As I said in this earlier post, there's no easy way to explain or define the Steampunk aesthetic. There are a large number of Steampunk tropes or "cues", as I call them, that bring to mind the feeling of Steampunk. These cues combine to push past the "not-Steampunk" threshold ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to make simple special effects for movies. First, you will need to set up a ladder that's tall enough to make the rail look like it's falling down naturally. Make sure the rain is hitting all around the person or you have sealed off an area. Make ...more
artjewelrymag teaches you how to use a liver of sulfur solution to create a patina. First, be sure to wear protective gloves and eye gear. Be sure to perform this operation in a well-ventilated area because sulfur smells like rotten eggs. To get started, add a few small pieces ...more
MAKE magazine never fails to amaze. And this time, John Park tackles a DIY wind-powered generator—and he shows you how to do it! Before you start watching the video tutorial, make sure to download the PDF of this project for reference. So you want to build this wind-powered g ...more
The Knights of Gray... um... The Pirate Guild? Bored of being indoors? Well, see what PVC pipe, duct tape, and foam insulation, otherwise known as a boffer weapon, can do for you. In this video tutorial, you'll learn all about what a boffer exactly is and what you can and ca ...more
Okay, you're ready to go out and kick some serious ass with you boffer? But wait... you don't even know what a boffer is? This video tutorial from the Knights of Gray will give you the information to succeed, even if you are a LARPer. A boffer sword is PVC pipe, foam insulat ...more
Well here it is, this is an older pic but it still works, the only change from this pic and the current cannon is that I have put some duct tape around the PVC bonds and am planing on spray painting it. The compression chamber is over a foot and a half long at 2" diameter PVC ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to throw a football against the blitz. First, start with some extension drills. Do these by using a piece of PVC pipe held at shoulder level so the thrower keeps their shoulder over where the pipe is at. This will help the thrower feel the power ...more
My goal here is to eventually show every single thing that people have come up with using PVC pipe so that we can be truly innovative here. What I'm starting to notice is that the cutting edge is in constant motion. We, as human beings, continue to improve on yesterday's ideas ...more
This is a video tutorial describing how to modify a nerf nite finder toy rifle. The first step is to take the nerf nite finder toy rifle out of the box and unscrew all of the screws on the gun. Then unscrew the light in the gun and then unscrew the back wiring and pry the meta ...more
Having a raised garden bed is great in the city because you can fill it with good soil and create a healthy environment for your plants. Install a hoop house made from PVC pipe. To build the raised bed, use 2x10x8 lumper. Predrill the holes at the corners to make it easier to ...more
Ben from mechanical mashup shows you how to make a fig rig for a small video camera out of PVC pipe. It gives an ingredient list and tells you the measurements of each piece you must cut. He recommends dry fitting everything at least once, to be sure everything goes together a ...more