Use PVC pipe to create a modern chandelier.
Polyvinyl chloride piping (PVC) is a type of plastic pipe that is made for plumbing. However, the material, commonly found at hardware stores has limitless possibilities. Builders use the piping to create everything from underground drainage systems to clothes racks and even bird feeders. The product is popular for ease of use, durability and fire resistance. PVC piping has even made its way to home decor including lamps and chandeliers. Create a chandelier to hang over your dining room table or use it to make a bold statement in a dull room.
Instructions
1. Use a pencil and measuring tape as your guide to draw a line across the entire length of the PVC pipe. Draw a second line that is 3/4-inch away from the first line and parallel to it. This will be the bottom of the PVC pipe where the crystals will eventually hang from holes drilled on both lines and the strip light will be placed in the space between the two lines. Draw a third line that is on the exact opposite side of the center of the first two lines and parallel to the first two lines. This line will be the top of the chandelier.
2. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the first line. Continue to drill holes on the line every 3/4-inch inch until you reach the opposite end of the pipe.
3. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the second line. Continue to drill holes on the line every 3/4-inch until you reach the opposite end of the pipe.
4. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the third line. Draw a second hole 3/4-inch in from the opposite end of the PVC pipe on the third line.
5. Spray paint the PVC pipe chrome, metallic silver or your desired color and let dry according to the instructions on the paint can.
6. Drill several holes along the center strip between the first two lines and screw in the battery-operated strip light between these lines. Place the battery pack inside the PVC pipe so it can't easily be seen.
7. Place wire rope down into the first hole on the third line and place a wire rope stopper on the end of the rope on the inside of the pipe to hold it in place. Do the same for the opposite hole on the third line. These wire ropes will enable you to hang the chandelier from the ceiling.
8. Place a wire rope through the first hole on the first line so that it goes inside the pipe and strings out through the last hole on the first line. Trim the rope that hangs outside of the two holes and place wire rope stoppers on the ends of the wire rope on the outside of the PVC pipe to hold it in place. This will form a wire rail inside the PVC pipe. Repeat the process for the first and last holes drilled on the second line.
9. Hang the crystal strings onto the wire rail through each of the holes on the first and second lines.
10. Hang your PVC chandelier by attaching the wire rope to a hanging kit mounted onto your ceiling, according to the hanging kit instructions. Be sure the hanging kit instructions specify it is capable of holding the weight of the chandelier.
Tags: wire rope, , 4-inch from, first line, hole 4-inch,