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DIY a PVC Chair

by Murray Anderson

With a little creativity and very little money you can build attractive, comfortable chairs for your patio or deck that will last for years, can hold even the heaviest person, yet are light enough a child can easily move them. The trick is using PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipe, the rigid, white plastic pipe commonly used for drain lines in the home. Since most PVC is white in color it will provide a bright, clean appearance on your deck. However, if you don't want white, it's also available in beige or gray and can even be painted, so PVC can tie in with virtually any color scheme. As well, since PVC is plastic, it won't weather and since it's made to be buried it won't crack or lose strength over time, making it an ideal material for long lasting chairs.

A quick primer on PVC pipe

The trick to making a solid chair with PVC (as with any chair) is ensuring the joints are strong. PVC pipes are joined together by a process called 'chemical welding' that uses solvent cements (not glues) to bond the pieces together. Solvent cements actually dissolve the surfaces of the pipes being joined so when the cement dries (usually in less than a minute) the surfaces are permanently joined together, creating a joint that literally can't be pulled apart - guaranteeing a chair with joints that won't dry out and come apart over time.

Making your PVC chair

Things you need
5 – 1 ½” PVC sections 30” long
12 - 1 1/2” pieces 12” long
8 – 1 1/2” pieces 8” long
2 – 1 1/2” pieces 6” long
8 – elbow connectors
4 – 4 way connectors
PVC pipe cement (primer and sealer)
canvas 28” wide by 50” long
hack saw or fine tooth saw
rubber mallet
sandpaper or sharp knife

DIY Toilet Bot automatic flushing system

Japanese toilets are just... different from American toilets. Although there are many gory details that don't bear discussion here (different bowl designs, the continuing existence of squat toilets, etc.), Americans and Europeans returning from stays in Japan often rhapsodize about the technologically advanced toilets that are common there; if you have any interest in modern Japanese culture, the topic of toilets tends to come up in the early stages of your education. Heated seats, automatic flushes, cleansing sprays, music, you name it: these toilets are feature-laden, but for American homeowners, they're strictly a luxury item.

This did not stop a guy named Joe from rigging his own automatic flushing system, and making a YouTube video about it. Yes, these have been around in public bathrooms for years, but when was the last time you saw one in the average home? This toilet is not truly automatic, as it doesn't have a motion sensor, but it does allow for a slow-flushing toilet to be flushed more quickly. It also tracks the number of flushes. Check it out after the break.

DIY a Knife Block

In fact, I'm definitely not the only one. Fellow DIY crafter Chris Diclerico craved the same design, yet rather than shelling out $110 for the original, Chris got to work and created his own Schaschlik hack. And after checking out the Flickr photos of his creation, I'm loving Chris' design almost as much as the original.

If you're comfortable working with a table saw, you absolutely should try this! You'll need a few wood planks (Chris used 3' laminated pine shelves from Home Depot), wood glue, finishing nails, an orbital sander, water-based varnish, and a whole slew of bamboo skewers (Chris used 2,300!) for holding the knives in place. Make sure you find skewers that are long enough for at least the length of the blade of your longest knife.

DIY A kitchen island

A kitchen island is the easiest way to add precious inches of counter space to your home. If you don't want to splurge on a custom job, you're left with two budget-friendly options: kitset or DIY. Let's look at some of the pros and cons of each approach.

Kitset Kitchen Island: Pros and Cons
Kitset kitchen islands -- the kind you buy ready-to-assemble -- are now available in a nice range of styles, from rustic to sleek modern. Although the best ones are far from cheap, they'll set you back far less than custom work. The other big advantage is convenience: kitset islands can be assembled by just about anyone.

Other pros: kitset islands are moveable, which can be useful when, for example, you are entertaining a crowd. If you sell your home, you can just disassemble your kitset and pack it up. Basically, if all you need is an extra place to stow pots, pans and cookbooks, the kitset is the most convenient solution.

Here's the big down side: you inevitably sacrifice quality when you opt for kitset furniture. In the case of kitchen islands, that lack of quality is most evident in the countertop material, which may not be durable enough to meet the needs of keen home cooks.

Kitchen Island Kitset Shopping
Going the kitset route? IKEA, the king of kitset, is the natural place to start looking. Unfortunately, IKEA offers only four kitchen islands right now, ranging in price from $199 for the GROLAND model (pictured) to $379 for the larger STENSTORP. Factor in the cost of shipping for those not within driving distance of an IKEA store and you're looking at quite a lot of money down. The pared-down style of IKEA's islands is another con: for your money, you're basically paying for a set of open shelves. If hiding clutter is important to you, look elsewhere.

Fortunately, Target comes to the rescue with an impressive selection of kitset islands. Although not necessarily sturdier than the IKEA islands, Target's kitsets at least come with drawers and/or cabinets for a more finished look, which some find more appealing than open shelving. The prices are higher, but select models come with free shipping. Expect to pay upwards of $500 for a Target island (the company's Grand Americana model is a whopping $929, although that includes free shipping right now); less than $500 will get you a nice little rolling cart, but definitely not a full-size kitchen island.

DIY Kitchen Island Pros and Cons
Kitset furniture not your thing? The DIY route is your best bet if you've got the time and talent to make your own kitchen cart-- or, if not talent, at least a willingness to learn as you go! Done right, the end result should be far sturdier than a kitset version. You can also tailor it to fit your needs. For example, you might opt for a built-in style instead of a free-standing island. In that case, you might consider adding electrical outlet/s and/or plumbing, too.

A DIY kitchen island can also incorporate a much higher quality countertop than kitset versions. Think butcher block wood, powerful granite or a tough solid surfacing product, such as Corian. These not only look great, they will last forever and resist chips and dents.

DIY Kitchen Island Know-How
The Web contains a wealth of instruction for would-be kitchen island DIY'ers. Start by gathering design ideas through keyword searches (try Google Images) or home and garden websites. Photo galleries like this one courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens are especially helpful.

Next you'll need a step-by-step guide to follow. Do It Yourself has a lengthy kitchen island article worth checking out that includes lots of design advice. It's a good place to start.

I really liked Ron Hazelton's kitchen island how-to. It breaks the project down into simple steps and includes lots of helpful photos. This one is ideal for beginner or intermediate carpenters. You'll assemble the whole thing by hand, but it's made from modular, ready-made cabinets with a butcher block countertop.

Using modular cabinets for the base gives you a sturdier and more workable storage area than an IKEA kitset, but with some of the convenience of kitset assembly. Great idea, right?

Also take a look at Popular Mechanics' kitchen island project. This one is a true from-scratch version. It's not very large, but it's a perfect little DIY project if you want to practice your woodworking skills. Read the article then click to download and print the plans.wholesale from china

Beginner DIY'er? If you're having second thoughts, wondering if a kitchen island is beyond your current skill level, try starting with a simple rolling cart project like this one from Home Envy. It'll let you test out your DIY/carpentry abilities without biting off more project than you can chew!

DIY a Rolling Kitchen Cart

My husband and I put an offer on a fixer-upper (ahhh, the agony of moving yet again!) this past weekend and if our bid is accepted, it looks like we'll be facing a super intense kitchen makeover. Of course, helpful tips like Kelly's rolling kitchen cart makeover will come in handy when it's time to tackle that kitchen island.

The best part about this easy-to-do tutorial? It uses a basic side table as its main material, and we all know how many side tables are scattered among garage sales and thrift shops. Why not keep your eye open for a side table next time you're out and about? Chances are, you can score one cheap and splurge on a nice countertop material (I'd love white marble or slate!) and caster wheels.

Another option? Cover your side table with stainless steel sheet metal for a sleek, modern look. You'll get a few more scrapes and dents in the island, but hey --- isn't that the definition of character?

DIY Rolling Bar

Borrow planting ideas from this gorgeous cottage garden. It's newly established, but already sporting tons of old-fashioned blooms. – A Storybook Life

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What's the perfect paint color for a large, two-story living room with adjoining kitchen? The dilemma: how to make it pop without making it seem cavernous or boring. – Bossy Color Blog

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