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Ya'll.... I love PVC pipe art. These pieces are absolutely adorable and look so awesome posed in little spots in your yard, on your front porch, down by the pond - anywhere! Plus, they make great gifts to give to anyone on your list or as a completely unique craft to make and sell.
Before we begin, I want you to know this is a very basic tutorial. I wanted to give you a general idea of how the process works and what tools you will need to finish the projects.
What you'll need:
jig saw
4" pvc pipe OR 4' x 8' PVC sheets
file
drill and drill bit
heat gun
screws
acetone and old washcloth
spray paint for plastic
optional - rhinestones or plastic eyes & E6000 glue
*Always follow the manufacturers instructions on the tools and products used.
*Always use safety glasses and protection when working with tools and chemicals.
*Always work in a well ventilated area when using chemicals.
*Always keep a clean and safe work area when working with multiple tools.
Put on your safety glasses and let's get started!
Begin by creating a pattern.
This part was frustrating, irritating, annoying and expensive ..... to say the least!
It took me a very long time (hours turned into weeks!) just to come up with one basic pattern. I wasted so much time, even more money and a lot of pvc until I finally got a great pattern where the animal would look well proportioned once it was cut and reshaped.
But it's your lucky day!
I have created over 25 different types of patterns and put all of them online and converted them into PDF's along with a more detailed tutorial so all you will need to do is download and save them.
You can find all of my PVC patterns and tutorial over here.
Now that you have your pattern, tape it in place on your 4" schedule 40 pvc pipe and trace around it with a pencil.
Once you have it sketched onto your pipe you will need to cut it out with your jig saw. Cutting pvc with a jig saw is a little bit of a learning curve, but just keep at it. Once you get the hang of it, it will be super easy!
You can use schedule 40 pvc pipe, PVC sheeting or the thinner walled pvc pipe (also called sewer drain). I highly suggest using the schedule 40 especially if you plan to sell them or gift them or keep them outside most of the year. It is much more sturdy than the other pipe and will hold up much better and much longer.
When you have your animal cut out, use your file
to
smooth along all of the edges. Jig saws can leave some sharp spots
especially where corners meet and using your file will make them nice
and smooth.Once you have your piece nice and smooth along the edges you will need to use your heat gun to reshape it. Please follow your heat gun's manufacturer's directions. Your heat gun gets extremely hot, so be aware of where you are setting it down and use heat proof gloves to protect your hands.
Aim your heat gun at the area you are working on until the area begins to heat up and become pliable and then reshape the area to how you would like it to look.
Continue working your way along your piece, reshaping all of it one section at a time.
When you get down to his legs, make sure you bend some of the pipe forward so you can drill a hole in his feet so you have a way to anchor him down.
Next it's time to clean him up. Use your acetone
and
an old washcloth to remove all the printed ink on the pipe as well as
all the ugly marks that are on it. This will make him nice and white.Now he's ready for some paint! Depending which bird you make will depend on how you paint him up. Make sure to use spray paints
that
are for plastic and I would also suggest spraying him with a clear
acrylic sealer to help protect the paint.Then it's time to display him. Use screws to attach him to something sturdy such as a concrete patio block, a piece of heavy wood or to a deck or pier step. Alternatively, you can use metal tent stakes. Make sure your drill a hole through his feet large enough to fit the stake. Then stick the stake in through the hole and secure him into the ground. This may not work as well for taller, larger animals or if you have an uneven ground.
These animals are so fun and unique that they make an awesome craft to make and sell. Plus, you can use my patterns to sell your own animals, however you CAN NOT resell my patterns.
Get all of our patterns here.
www.PvcPipePatterns.com www.CrazyDiyMom.com Terms and Conditions