PVC Pipe Peg

Using a PVC pipe to make a multi purpose peg requiring only 3 elements.

The elements consisting of the required pipe, dowel and elastic band.

It can be used to hold clothing on a washing line, a finger splint or the holder for a finger based sensor to measure blood flow. Subject to the size and mass of the items to be held.

Supplies

22 mm dia. x 70 mm long PVC pipe

6 mm dia. x 40 mm long wooden dowel, metal tub or rod.

15.8 mm x 2.4 mm O ring or equivalent elastic band.

Drill hand or electric.

Vice.

6 mm drill bit.

Countersink bit.

Circular saw, Tenon or hack saw.

Sanding paper or electrical alternative.

Step 1: Design

The design was created in BlocksCAD

Step 2: The Pipe

From a longer length of 22mm dia. pipe using a saw cut this to 70 mm long.

Step 3: Drilling

Find the centre along the length and draw a line.

From one end measure 30 mm and mark this at the centre line.

From the opposite end measure 10 mm and mark this at the centre line.

Mount the pipe in a vice and drill 2 x 6 mm holes at the positions previously marked.

The holes need to go direcly through the pipe vertically..

Step 4: Splitting

Using the centre line as the guide, position the pipe to enable it to be sawn along the entire centre line and go directly through the pipe to create two separate pieces.

Step 5: Pinch Points

In order to open and close the peg we need to create clearance behind the pivot point which creates defined pinch points where your fingers will rest.

Angle one of the halves closest to the hole were the pivot will sit and sand this end to form a ~60 degree angle.

Repeat the process for the other half.

Step 6: Assembly

Taking one of the pipe halves fit the dowel across the width to sit equally in the two side by side pivot cutouts.

Place the other pipe half over the top to reform the pipe.

Slip the Oring over the end furthest from the pinch points.

Adjust the position of the Oring to create the required tension when the peg it opened and closed as the pinch points are depressed between finger and thumb.

Step 7: Finally

Job done, challenge completed.