More Practical and Easy PVC Pipe Hacks
We’ve talked about how you can use PVC pipe for some really cool hacks before, and here are a couple of more that you can add to the list. These tricks are easy to put together, and they can be worth their weight in gold when you need to use them. Let’s take a look at some ideas that most us can benefit from using when the occasion presents itself.
Hide Your Keys
Take a five inch section of 2” diameter PVC pipe and glue an end cap to one side. Then, take a threaded joint to the other side and glue it in place. Find a cap that you can screw on top that resembles something that you may see as part of a drainage system or rod-out station in the yard. All you need to do is put your keys or other valuables inside, screw on the top and bury it in an inconspicuous location. Keep the top a couple of inches above the ground to give it a realistic appearance, and chances are that this would be the last place anyone would look.
Sliding Door Lock
If you want a simple, but effective way to lock your sliding glass door, try to use PVC pipe instead of wood. Wood has a tendency to warp and get stuck, and it can also damage the frame of the door. Take some ½ inch diameter (or less depending on the width of the door track) and cut it to the appropriate length. Put a soft end cap on the end of the pipe that rests against the door. Put a “T” joint through the other end of the pipe about 4-5 inches in and then attach the other end cap to pipe. Place a 3-4 inch piece of Pipe in the top half of the T joint, and now you have a handle as well. Lay the pipe down when you want the door to lock, and lift it up by the handle when you want to remove the wedge.
Portable Tool Holder
Take a three foot section of 4” diameter PVC pipe and attach it to one of the corners of your wheel barrel, trailer or truck. This can hold quite a bit of tools such as rakes, shovels, shears and other items that may be a pain to carry or transport if they are loose. Nothing could be easier.
Fish Attracter
Take a four inch section of 2” diameter PVC pipe and mark a series of holes all around the sides. Drill them out with a ¼ inch bit. Drill a hole in the center of a rounded end cap and feed a piece of paracord with a knot through the hole. Glue in place. Glue a threaded attachment to the other end so you can unscrew the end cap as needed. Now all you need to do is fill the pipe with the chum or bait of your choice, screw the cap on and plop it in the water. This is a great way to attract fish to your boat, dock or use it in conjunction with a trap that you set in a river or stream.
Cord Roller
You can make a simple cord roller and organizer with some ½” diameter PVC pipe and joints. Take two pieces that are around 18” long and slide two T couplings next to each other on one piece. Repeat for the other piece, but add a third coupling on the opposite side. Cut four lengths of 4-5 inch long pipe. Arrange the pairs of T joints on opposite sides of each piece. Turn one of the couplings inward and the other outward for each set. Then, turn the third one inward so that it aligns with the second coupling on the opposite side. You will now be able to attach the shorter pipes to each inward-facing connectors and then the other two will serve as handles that face outward on opposite sides.
You should have a frame that resembles a double “H” with two handles sticking out. All you need to do is hold down one end of the extension cord while you grab the handles and start rolling the rest of the cord up. Tie off the cord(s) and store as necessary. This trick is simple, rudimentary and highly-effective.
