Directions for a PVC Lamp Post
- 1). Cut 2-inch PVC pipe with a hacksaw. One piece should be 4 feet long for the crossbar; five pieces should be 1 foot long for the light stand and part of the base; two pieces should be 2 feet long for part of the base; and two pieces should be 11 inches long for part of the base.
- 2). Cut 1-inch PVC pipe into two sections measuring 18 inches long for the crossbar.
- 3). Place a 2-inch 90-degree PVC elbow on both ends of both of the 2-foot sections of 2-inch PVC pipe. Insert a 1-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into each of the four 90-degree elbows and use 2-inch PVC tees to join the 1-foot sections. This is the outer frame of the base.
- 4). Insert an 11-inch section of 2-inch PVC pipe into both tees on the base. Join the 11-inch sections with a 2-inch PVC tee and secure these sections with PVC glue. Rotate the tee so that the top of the tee is at a 90-degree angle from the base.
- 5). Insert the 4-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into the tee on the base. Place a 2-by-1½-inch PVC four-way fitting on the end of the pipe and glue 1-by-1½-inch PVC reducers into both sides of the four-way fitting. Insert an 18-inch-long section of 1-inch PVC pipe into both reducers. This is the crossbar.
- 6). Insert a 4-foot-long piece of 3/4-inch wood dowel into the crossbar. Use PVC glue to secure a 1-inch PVC cap on both ends of the crossbar.
- 7). Remove the screws on a 2-by-3-inch PVC shower drain with a screwdriver. Remove the cap. Use a hand-held rotary tool with a sanding stone to remove the lip located inside the drain. Insert a 1-foot section of 2-inch PVC pipe into the drain and secure with PVC glue.
- 8). Cut off the female end of a 10-foot-long extension cord with a utility knife. Insert the cut end of the cord into the bottom of the four-way fitting and push it up and out of the top of the lamp post. Wire the extension cord to a post lamp by wrapping the coordinating color wires to each other and cover the bare wires with electrical tape.
- 9). Drill a hole through the post large enough for the extension cord to fit through, using a hand-held rotary tool. Push the female end of a 25-foot-long extension cord into the hole and plug the male end of the 10-foot cord into it. Place the post lamp on top of the lamp post.