Hot PVC Innovation Posts « PVC Innovation

How To: Make Cool Sculptures with PVC Cut-Offs

PVC isn't something you want to send to the landfill. It's not going to do anything good for the ground when it's buried. It is also something you really, REALLY don't want to send to an incinerator. When burned, PVC releases some really nasty chemicals, including hydrochloric acid and dioxin.

American Speedster: The PVC Bike Car

I am completely fascinated with pedal transportation. Many of us have pedalable commutes that we end up driving just because we don't like bikes. There's a whole wave of do-it-yourself pedal vehicles, from the Hennepin Crawler down to vehicles like this one.

News: Super Cool Pedal Powered PVC Car

News: DIY Star Trek Mailbox Made with PVC

This is definitely the work of a Trekkie.

News: PVC Misting Tunnel based on a Self-Watering Greenhouse

This misting tunnel was at the World Maker Faire in NYC this September. It is based on a design for a greenhouse that has watering integrated into the frame. We used a tool called a PVC Bendit to make the bends.

Build Outdoor Monster Props: Tutorial

It's a little late for Halloween, but I'm thinking about making a creepy lawn ornament for the Holidays. Nothing says Christmas cheer like something a little weird.

How To: Make a Human Blockade Lockbox

I'll admit it, yes, I support protesting. It doesn't matter what my opinions are about any individual protest—overall, it is a human right and the only way to avoid tyranny. We can't deify Ghandi and demonize American protesters. That shows a silly shortsightedness that we can't afford to dabble in.

News: PVC Pipe Pedal-Powered Porsche

Now how's that for alliteration? WOO! Anyway, this has already made the rounds, but if you haven't seen it yet, check this out. When you take a low-slung four wheel bike frame, a crap load of PVC pipe, miles of duct tape and about 1,000 hours, you, too can drive a Porsche without the high insurance payments.

News: Low-Cost DIY Hydroponics Systems

Not all of these involve PVC, but the majority do, and they all have their merits.

News: Time to Get the Bends, and I Don't Mean Diving Sickness

You're never going to see a project from me that involves straight pipe. You would have when I was a kid, but after too many years in the construction industry, I need to see a good finish. If the project doesn't look slick, I don't want to say I did it.

News: PVC 2 Person Bike

It's about the same thing as this except you can buy it and it's painted.

How To: Make a Self-Watering Greenhouse (In-Depth Tutorial)

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 this one concept opens doors to further innovation. After I finish this article, I'm going to put another one up that shows a hinged, raised bed house and talk about some amazing things you can do from there.

How To: Create a Manual Camera Lens with PVC Pipe

DIY Photography has an interesting tutorial on creating a focusing mechanism/lens for around $4. Combine two PVC pipes of different radiuses with a magnifying glass. Cool project.

News: Helical Stand

This one's freakin' snappy. I'll post a how-to for at least one of these once I have the time.

News: Monster Tubulum How-To - From Start to Finish

This video shows how the maker of that Monster Tubulum actually put it together. Between this, the FAQ on his blog, and a whole lot of intelligence, you'll have all the information and insight you need to put together your own super awesome PVC instruments.

News: PVC Pipe Prosthetics

This is pretty cool here. They're using PVC pipe to make new legs and feet for amputees. Instead of paying thousands of dollars, an amputee can now get a new limb for $25.

News: The Amazing PVC Pipe Music of Kent Jenkins (aka Snubby J)

There's a ton of videos on the web of musicians playing homemade PVC instruments, but I just recently stumbled upon the impressive work of PVC pipe player Kent Jenkins, aka Snubby J. His most recent video features a duet with his faux-twin, playing "Wizards in Winter" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Turns out, he's been a PVC maestro for awhile now and even auditioned for his inspiration, the Blue Man Group, at the age of seventeen. Though he wasn't picked, they saw potential in him and aske...

MacGyver Would Be Proud: DIY Canoe from PVC Pipe, Duct Tape and Plastic

What would MacGyver do if he was stranded on a trash dump in the middle of the ocean? If he had the right supplies, chances are he'd come up with something very similar to this PVC and duct tape boat. C'mon, we all know MacGyver always has duct tape on him!

News: How to Make a Turkish-Style War Bow from PVC Pipe

This is a build-along for making a flattened PVC pipe bow. This style of bow made with PVC is more durable than the non-flattened kind, and looks more authentic. This bow, when finished, drew about 80# at 28".

News: PVC Skein Winder

This goes through to a how-to on how to make a skein winder. For the uninitiated, a skein is the default unit of thread, and it's that windy log that yarn comes in as well. With this snappy tool, you can wind your own skeins as well. If you combine that with the newspaper into yarn concept, you can make your own yarn and wind your own skeins when you're done.

News: Tom Price's PVC Cherry Blossom Forrest

Tom Price used nothing more than PVC pipes, nylon cable ties, and a large hot plate to melt together the blossoms.

How To: Make a 4-Element Table with PVC Pipe

Now, I know what you're thinking... "I need an extra sexy coffee table that is like no other."

News: DIY Finderscopes For Telescopes - Very Cool

This is actually a forum page, but they're discussing making you own finder scopes and medium power telescopes. There's a lot of information here.

News: Cool Freakin Scarecrow

This is all I can say. He shows step by step. The Picture speaks, I be quiet.

News: PVC Pipe Easel - Self Explanatory

There's no how-to here, but I think anyone can figure this out. Great idea. I will probably make one for myself.

News: Build Your Own Van De Graaff Generator

I know, I know, I've already posted one of these. Sorry, but this one's cooler than the last, so I had to put it up. This also has a great in-depth tutorial that shows exactly what to do and why you do it. There are photos for every step of the process, so you can actually make this one without too much head scratching.

News: Do-It-Yourself Foam Dart Guns - Really Nice

This guy is serious about home made dart guns. He's got some cool ones on here.

News: The Art of Making a Custom Predator Call

Strange as it may seem to super urban people, certain animals, like coyotes, have high reproduction rates and can be a true menace to ranching. Even in the county where I live, which is home to Colorado Springs, there is a $30 bounty on coyotes. All you have to do is bring in both ears to the game warden, and you will be paid.

News: The Eight Element Table

This is a sort of supplement to the Four-Element Table, with the additional four legs added for stability. The pipes are squished flat at the ends and riveted on, allowing this table to bear a much heavier load without compromising style.

Theo Jansen: The Art of Creating Creatures (with PVC)

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. Fantastic stuff, check it out:

News: PVC Pipe Camp Chairs For Kids

These are cool!

News: Baby Chicken Play Pen!

With some PVC Pipe and little mesh, you too can have backyard chickens!

News: PVC Shallow Well Pump

PVC can literally be a life saver in the developing world, as well as in the wake of a disaster. This little article is a picture of innovation after a disaster in the developing world, and it is a perfect example of the simple ways we can do good for each other.