10 Life Hacks with PVC #11

[WATCH VIDEO]

Here is the 11th Edition to our “10 Life Hacks with PVC” Series. We built and tested these projects with success. I hope you can benefit from some of these awesome life hacks.

Hacks Included:

1. Cell Phone Holder

2. Ground Archery Quiver

3. Easy Display Holder

4. Mouse Trap

5. Princess Castle or Playhouse

6. Screwdriver Organizer

7. Indoor Greenhouse

8. Rod Holder while Fishing

9. Quilting Frame

10. Soil Spreader

If you would like the video version of this Instructable and the embedded video does not appear, here is an alternative link.

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Just remember that PVC is only a form of hard plastic. It can and will break if too much weight or force is applied and injuries can occur. Please use caution when using anything made from PVC. Use of content for personal projects is at your own risk.

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Step 1: Cell Phone Holder

Cell Phone Holder

Here is a simple way to make a cell phone holder using PVC:

Need:

- 1-inch PVC T-connector

- (2) Rubber bands

Tools:

- Saw

- File or sandpaper

- Marker

Face the T-connector’s middle outlet left and the side outlet facing you.

Place a mark at the 11 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions.

Using a saw, cut lengthwise across the connector at each mark.

Once the section is removed, use a file or sandpaper and remove all of the rough edges.

Take the rubber bands and wrap one around the solid outlet and one through the section you just cut.

The bands will help hold the PVC on the table and keep the phone still in the holder.

Have fun playing on your phone.

Step 2: Ground Archery Quiver

Ground Archery Quiver

How you ever practiced shooting a Bow? If so, then you may have had to hold the arrows or keep having to bend over to pick them up. Here is a great way to easily store the arrows in a homemade ground quiver so you do not have to hold them or keep bending over.

Need:

- 12-18 inches of 3-inch PVC pipe

- 3-inch PVC end cap

- Skinny 4-inch long bolt

- Washer and nut for bolt

Tools:

- Drill

- Wrench (size of bolt)

- Ratchet and socket (size of bolt)

- Grinder

First drill a hole in the Center of the cap. Make sure to have it in the center.

Insert the bolt facing outward and add the washer and nut to secure.

Use the ratchet and wrench to tighten the bolt securely, but do not over tighten or it could crack the end cap.

Next grind the end of the bolt into a point. This will allow it to penetrate the ground easier.

Attach the end cap to the pipe.

To insert it into the ground just takes a quick downward thrust.

Have fun shooting your bow and arrows.

Step 3: Easy Display Holder

Easy Display Holder

A viewer asked if I could create a holder for his Paracord bracelet business and this is what I came up with:

Need:

- 3/4-inch PVC pipe

- (10) T-connectors

- (4) End caps

The shelving size can vary depending on your usage, so adjust the lengths as needed.

I used 4 12-inch long pipes connected to T’s on each end in a vertical pattern.

Between the T’s is a 2-inch pipe to add a little space, but you can adjust this length as needed.

You can also swap in a 4-way connector for any of the T-connectors if you want to add side pipes or just change the appearance.

I then added a T on the bottom for the legs.

The leg on each side of the connector is 5 inches long.

This allows the legs to be twisted inward for transporting and storage.

I also added an end cap to each leg to make them look better.

This a great project for a business or even for home storage.

Step 4: Mouse Trap

Mouse Trap

Do you have mouse problems? Here is a humane way to catch them.

Need:

- 1.5-inch PVC pipe cut to 5 inches long

- String

- 5-gallon bucket

- Peanut butter

Tie the string to one side of the bucket.

Then place the PVC pipe over the string and tie it to the opposite side of the bucket.

The string must be very tight.

Place some peanut butter around the center of the pipe.

Now put the bucket near another tall object so the mouse can see the pipe.

As the mouse jumps, it will have momentum making the pipe spin thus falling into the bucket.

Now you can dispose of the mouse as you wish.

Make sure to check it daily.

Step 5: Princess Castle Playhouse

Princess Castle Playhouse

If you have ever had a little girl, then you know she would love to have a Princess Playhouse. So here is a simple way to make a large one for a few dollars.

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC

- (8) 24-inch long pipes

- (5) 34-inch long pipes

- (4) 1.5-inch pipes

- (6) Corner Connectors

- (4) T-connectors

- (4) End caps

- King or Queen sized bed cover

Lets start with the roof. Using the corner connectors, combine 2 of the 24-inch pipes angled downward on each side.

Connect the two sides with one of the 34-inch pipes.

At the bottom of each 24-inch pipes, attach a T-connector.

Then connect a 34-inch pipe to the sides at the T-connector.

On the outside edge of each T-connector, add 1.5-inch pipe and attach a corner connector (refer to the pictures).

Across the front and back sides, add a 34-inch pipe to each of the corner connectors

The top of the playhouse should now be secure, so you can add a leg at each corner.

You can also add end caps on the bottom of each leg if you prefer.

To complete the walls and roof of the Playhouse, just add a king or queen sized bed cover over the top.

If the cover gets dirty, just put it in the washing machine.

If the playhouse is in the way, just disassemble and store it in the closet.

This is big enough for a full-sized adult to sit inside.

Step 6: Screwdriver Organizer

Screwdriver Organizer

Have you ever needed to organize your tools? Here is good way to organize your screwdrivers.

Need:

- 1/2-inch PVC pipe

Tools:

- Drill

- File

- Ruler

- Marker

Depending on how long of a pipe you need for the screwdrivers, your size will vary.

I used a 20 inch pipe for this build.

First measure out the 2 hanging holes about 1 inch inward from the ends and drill them open.

I then rotated the pipe 90 degrees and made a mark about 2-inches inward.

Then make a mark at each inch.

Drill out each hole and use a file to clean up the edges.

This can be hung on a peg board or secured to the wall. It is your choice.

Step 7: Indoor Greenhouse

Indoor Greenhouse

If you live in an area where it gets below freezing in the winter, then you know how hard it is to keep your favorite plants alive.

If you use 3/4-inch or larger PVC pipe and some corner connectors, you can create a cube for your plants.

The cube can now sit next to your window, where your plants can get a bunch of sunlight.

The cube will allow you to pull the window blinds over the plant with out touching it, so you can keep your privacy.

If you want to intensify your greenhouse, you can add some foam walls with black plastic bags to radiate more heat from the sun.

Step 8: Rod Holder While Fishing

Rod Holder while Fishing

If you like fishing, here is a great way to secure your pole without holding it.

Take a 2 foot long piece of 2-inch PVC pipe and cut a slight angle on one end.

Take it to your favorite pond and hammer it vertically about half way into the ground.

It is a good idea to place a piece of wood over the pipe before hammering to prevent cracking.

Now cast your fishing rod and place it in the holder.

Have fun fishing.

Step 9: Quilting Frame

Quilting Frame

I had a viewer ask if I could make a quilting frame and here is a simple design.

Need:

- 3/4 inch PVC pipe

- (4) Corner connectors

- (4) T-connectors

- (2) Elbows

- (2) End caps

I used 3/4 inch PVC pipe for this build, but you can use thicker pipe if you prefer.

The top uses 4 corner connectors to make a square.

From each corner stretches downward a length of pipe that can vary in size depending on the height you would need.

On the front 2 legs, I used an elbow to send a support arm rearward.

About halfway down the arm is a T-connector on each side to provide some lateral support to the frame.

On the rear legs sits another set of T’s that connect to the lower arms and have an outlet facing downward.

The downward outlet is used to raise the frame on the rear so that it is tilted toward the user when it is being utilized.

A small section of 3-4 inch pipe with an end cap works well.

The completed frame looks almost like a tilted cube. (Refer to pictures)

The middle pipe on the bottom of the frame can also be used as a foot support to keep it from moving around while in use.

Have fun Quilting.

Step 10: Soil Spreader

Soil Spreader

If you are trying to flatten the top layer of soil, then you could use one of these Soil Spreaders.

The point of this tool is to help spread out the soil more evenly especially if you are adding something like a top dressing.

The size of these can vary depending on its intended purpose.

This is a smaller version, but it works in small areas.

Need:

- 3/4 inch PVC pipe

- (4) 18-inch long pipes

- (2) 8.5-inch long pipes

- (8) 3-inch long pipes

- (1) 4 foot long pipe

- (7) T-connectors

- (4) Elbows

For this build, I first laid out 2 elbows about 18 inches apart.

Each elbow is then connected to a 3-inch pipe and then a T-connector.

This step was repeated until there were 3 T-connectors on each side.

At each end used one more short pipe and a final elbow facing each other.

To connect the sides together, I used 18-inch pipe on the front and rear two connectors.

But for the center section, I had to two 8.5-inch long pipes with a T-connector in the center facing upward.

This connector is utilized as the support and pivoting point for the 4 foot handle.

The handle length can be changed to fit your needs.

Step 11: Other PVC Life Hack Videos in the Series:

Other PVC Life Hack Videos in the Series:

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#10

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Lifehacks are great techniques, tricks, shortcuts, or novelty ways to use certain products in uncommon ways to make life easier. Just remember that PVC is only a form of hard plastic. It can and will break if too much weight or force is applied and injuries can occur. Please use caution when using anything made from PVC. Use of video content for personal projects is at your own risk.