"how to" play gym base

[jimpierce7]

just wanted to put this out there for anybody that may want to use it.

I make two types of bases for my play gyms. Soldered 1/2" copper and 3/4 schdl. 40 PVC.
Typically I shoot for a 22" wide floor base. This seems to work real good. Sophie can hit the gyms from across the room and not topple them.

The copper base I cut 12 pieces at 10", and 2 pieces at 14". It also requires 2 more pieces cut to what ever height you want the stand to be. I use 20" to 24".
6 ells are needed.
6 "T"s are needed as well.
The reason I use the copper base is so I can easily pull the gym off of it to store else where when I need to. 3/4" PVC slides right over it.
I connect everything together before I start soldering.
The longer (14") pieces are for the upper support piece (see photo)





with the PVC the lengths change to keep it about 22".
12 pieces at 8 3/4"
2 pieces at 13"
6 ells and 6 "T"s
I connect all the pieces here and just hammer them with a rubber mallet. This holds it together real good. If you want a more secure finish and agree that gluing this would be a nightmare and don't want to use screws because they just don't bite the PVC well...............

try dowels. 1/8" would work fine. Cut into one inch lengths or buy them that way from a craft store. simply drill each joint to size, after hammering them in, them drive in the dowel.

[Whiskers]

Awesome stuff!

Does Subway pay you product placement?

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by Whiskers

Awesome stuff!

Does Subway pay you product placement?

ya know......... I think they should!!!

[ROYJOY]

that exposed solder frightens me. has lead in it. do you cover it? or did i miss something.

[jimpierce7]

I haven't used leaded solder in many years. I'm not even sure it can be found anymore. I use silver solder myself. Lead solder has not been allowed to be used in homes for a few decades now.

[ROYJOY]

thanx, and yes you can still get lead solder here in the dirt bowl.

[tawny30]

Ok this is PROBABLY a dumb question :) but what is the colored tape? That is the problem I had with PVC stands..I was afraid they would be slippery and at least one of mine is a total clutz

[aphoeniceus]

Originally Posted by tawny30

Ok this is PROBABLY a dumb question :) but what is the colored tape? That is the problem I had with PVC stands..I was afraid they would be slippery and at least one of mine is a total clutz

That looks like vet wrap. I also use it to cover all my pvc play stands, because the pvc is so slippery. And its easy to change when it gets old/dirty!

[tawny30]

Originally Posted by aphoeniceus

That looks like vet wrap. I also use it to cover all my pvc play stands, because the pvc is so slippery. And its easy to change when it gets old/dirty!

I am new to the build your own ..so thanks! I know I am probably the only person that didn't know that!
Where would I get that? I will do some hunting today as I love the idea!

[tawny30]

Oh and this would work for my nanday and my goldens...But would it work for a chubby amazon?

Haha..just asking!

My yellow collared macaw won't hear of it I am sure! He is a snob and only wants his own cage as a playstand