At ten cents an inch, 4-inch PVC sewer pipe is an attractive raw material. Using my hot air gun and some scrap wood, I am able to turn it into strong and good looking boxes.
If you are interested, please, click here.
Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.
Thanks,
Rick
Rick
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That's a good idea. I have health reservations about heating PVC though. Have you tried ABS? It's still not great but it'll probably only give you a little bit of cancer instead of a lot of it.
For your own safety and others who might try this, please be aware that when heating PVC it can release a toxic gas. I think it's called hydrogen chloride and I've always head it can be very unhealthy and even lethal in the wrong situation. Please be careful doing this, maybe a very well ventilated area. So sorry to sound like the old dad that says don't poke your eye out?
I have added a warning at the top of the article. Thanks to nova_robotics and clinton1 for bring this to my attention. I can see that if someone was to use a torch, this could get dangerous very quickly.
Rick
Rick
Looks like I have a project tomorrow.Originally Posted by rgsparber
Thanks
Gary
I like it!
emu roo (Jun 23, 2025)
Thanks! Some great ideas there! Not just for making boxes, but for making small guards or covers, this is a great idea.
I like the way you think.
emu roo (Jun 23, 2025)
I used that technique to make a Big funnel to fill a tall narrow form with concrete...
emu roo (Jun 23, 2025)
I use PVC for a lot of projects. Always have a well ventilated area when heating. I find that a temperature controlled heat gun is really helpful to keep from discoloring or scorching the PVC. You can also use boiling water to soften smaller pieces of PVC if you’re concerned with the fumes.
Here’s a couple of my projects that used PVC pipe as a raw material:
Congratulations rgsparber - your PVC Pipe Boxes are the Homemade Tool of the Week!
This is one of many builds you've made from PVC, but heating the pipe into PVC "leather" and then shaping it into a box opens up many new tool building possibilities, which I'm sure we'll see in the future.
Some more good builds from this week:
Magnetic Broom by fox craft
Chicken Feeder by dsjhomestead
Spring Loaded Corner Clamp by orioncons36
Trailer Ramps by Frank S
PVC Pipe Patch by rgsparber
Drilling Jig by Frank S
Drill Press Knee Jack by Frank S
Fastener Organizer by Mr.DK DIY
Picture Frame Jig by Willworkfortools
Three Hole Drilling Jig by Frank S
Leveling Casters by tmate3
Threaded Knobs by morsa
Thin-Walled PVC Pipe Sawing Technique by rgsparber
Drill Press Table by Didpoolhall
Circular Saw Jig by tado creation
Quill Nut Wrench by Frank S
Circular Saw Jig by Didpoolhall
Wire Twisting Tool by machining 4 all
Arduino Controlled Gas Mixer by cranktown city
Lathe Drilling Setup by Frank S
rgsparber - you'll be receiving a $25 online gift card, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and gift card choice and I'll get it sent over right away.
This is your 8th Homemade Tool of the Week. Here are all of your Homemade Tool of the Week winning tools. Congrats again
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emu roo (Jun 23, 2025), old_toolmaker (May 1, 2021)
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