Introduction: Hand Washing Station Base

By Cub Scout Pack 260
About: A scout is Thrifty. Good ideas should be simple, free, and practical. Stay tuned as we provide our scouting ideas for all to build.

Simple to build, low cost, and light weight hand washing station for the outdoors. Use with the water foot pump to create a hands free washing station.

It's been used by dozens of Daisy Scouts (1st graders), Cub Scouts (K-5), and their families. Kids really enjoy the hands free pump. You'll see kids washing hands when they don't need to wash hands.

The 5 gallon bucket has washed over 60 hands and not run out on me yet.

Supplies

3 - 3/4-in PVC Pipe, White, 10 ft

8 - 3/4-in PVC 90 Degree Side Outlet Elbow

4 - 3/4-in PVC 90 degree Elbow

4 - 3/4-in PVC Hub Cross, 4-way

2 - 3/4-in PVC Hub Tee

Water Reservoir

2 - 5 gallon General Use Pails or 2 - 5 gallon water bottle (this doesn't stack)

1 - Lid, 5 gallon pail

Step 1: Cuts and Fittings

Three 10 foot pipes will yield the required pieces. I recommend using a miter saw.Alternatively, a hand saw can be used.

SKUs provided from Menards. Total cost for parts were $33.30 before tax from my store.

Step 2: Assemble Base and Top

Assemble two sets. One as a base and other as the the top.

4 - 14"

4 - 10"

8 - 90 Degree Side Outlet Elbow

Step 3: Add Legs and Crosses

4 - 29"

4 - Hub Cross

Add the 29" legs to the base frame and Hub Crosses to the top.

Step 4: Cross Frame

2 - Hub Tee

4 - 6"

1 - 10"

Create an "H" with four 6" pipes and one 10" pipe with two Hub Tees.

Attach the "H" to Hub Crosses.

Step 5: Add Support Handles

8 - 4"

2 - 10"

4 - 90 Degree Elbow

Attach the 4" pipe to all ends of the cross hub.

Create the handle bars with 10" pipe and two 90 Degree Elbows.

Step 6: Top Support Frame

Finish with the second frame set added to the top.

Base frame is finished.

Step 7: Water Resevoir

2 - 5 gallon general use pails

1 - Lid

Cut a hole in the Lid edge for the tube to enter from the foot pump. The Lid is necessary in order to stack the pails.

*You can transport a filled pail with lid in your car. This will only stop sloshing water. It will not stop a spill!

The bottom pail will be filled with clean water for hand washing. The top pail is for drain water aka grey water.

Alternative Water Reservoirs

5 gallon water bottle - does not stack but easier to seal.

Water coolers - better seal but more difficult to run tubing

Collapsible water jug - better seal but doesn't stack.

Step 8: Customization Ideas

Cement or not to Cement.
Cement all points but the Handles for easier transportation. Or don’t cement at all for full breakdown for transportation.


Towel Holder

A handle can be used as a paper towel holder. Alternatively, replace a 90 degree elbow with the side outlet elbow to hold the towel roll vertically.


Garbage Bag holder

The other handle can be used to hold a garbage bag. Use a rubber band or clips to keep in place.


Spigot

I used scrap pipe and bought an extra 90 degree elbow to make a spigot. The rubber tubing easily runs through the pipe.


Basin

I recommend a basin to catch the splash back. Several options for the basin. 18qt dish pan, storage bin, or a dollar tree popcorn bowl. I went with the popcorn bowl and cut a small opening to drain.


Pedal Holder

The pedal works alone but since it’s so light it moves around. I took scrap 2x4 to encase the foot pump. It also stops the your foot from crushing the tubing.

Step 9: Foot Pump in Action

Spigot, basin, and pedal holder for this set up.

I went with two 5-gal general use pails and a cap I cut a small hole to run the tube into.

A water cooler jug may work but it's not easily stackable.