Doug Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I alternated 1/2" and 3/4" PVC for the perches to give her some variation in grip. I'm not sure it is stable enough (a bit wobbly, but won't fall over or anything like that). Of course I'm a 220 pound (100 kg) man and not a <1 lb bird... I still plan to put a water dish somewhere but haven't worked that bit out yet... I will also make a lip on the base to keep the mess (slightly) contained. Any suggestions or criticisms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDS5607 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Very cool, Doug!!! What did you wrap the PVC with? It looks wonderful! I would just suggest using a wider base if that one begins to tip with her on it, but I think it will be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 Oh, the base won't tip at all. It is 24" x 24". (On casters so I can move it around easily to clean.) The PVC structure is just not as stiff as it could be (due to the height). I wrapped the PVC with vet wrap (per some websites about making parrot playstands). I just found some vet tape that is pink with black zebra stripes that will look interesting once I have a chance to make something else... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 WOW! That is fantastic! I love it and I want one..... My greys FLIP out when they see zebra tape, they think its a snake... I'd be curious to see how your lucky bird likes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 It is really hard to contain my excitement. I still have almost two weeks to wait, though. <HEAVY sigh> I hope she has an easy transition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 It's wonderful! I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of her on it - she's already spoiled and you don't even have her yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 For the water dish, you can take off the cap from one of the higher arms. Put on on elbow with a threaded end. Get a 4" pvc cap. Glue a fitting on the bottom that can screw into the elbow. Now you have a water dish that can be removed for washing. I included some pictures to illustrate. I did not build this play stand but I do know the parts are all available at Home Depot because I looked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 For the water dish, you can take off the cap from one of the higher arms. Put on on elbow with a threaded end. Get a 4" pvc cap. Glue a fitting on the bottom that can screw into the elbow. Now you have a water dish that can be removed for washing. I included some pictures to illustrate. I did not build this play stand but I do know the parts are all available at Home Depot because I looked. I was thinking about doing something like that, but I was concerned about what type of glue to use. Of course, it would take some mighty effort for her to get to the glued location, but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I was thinking about doing something like that, but I was concerned about what type of glue to use. Of course, it would take some mighty effort for her to get to the glued location, but... This is something that was posted elsewhere: "I was told that Gorrilla Glue (I purchased it at Home Depot) was non-toxic once it cured. I used it on a play stand and filed off the excess after it cured, just to make sure. It cures very, very hard in 24 hours, and the glued joint is stronger than the wood. You only need a few drops to glue a dowel in a hole, and theres no way it can be pulled apart. " If I used that, I would probably have it such that none was exposed once dry. Also, Elmer's school glue is said to be non-toxic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 It is really hard to contain my excitement. I still have almost two weeks to wait, though. <HEAVY sigh> I hope she has an easy transition. I know and these last two weeks will be hard for you but it will be here soon, Elegua is going to love her new playstand, be sure to share a pic or two of her on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Gorilla Glue is good with wood, but I'm not so sure about PVC. I'll give it a try as it is one of my old stand-bys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) Using more PVC piping, add legs to the bottom and connect to the base. Gives more stability and less shaking especialing since the base has wheels. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/DaveVP/IMG_1362.jpg Edited September 6, 2011 by Dave007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Great idea dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Using more PVC piping, add legs to the bottom and connect to the base. Gives more stability and less shaking especialing since the base has wheels. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/DaveVP/IMG_1362.jpg Hah! While I was lying in bed last night, unable to sleep, I had decided to do something similar - but I will use different heights on the corner risers for more visual variety. And there is my opportunity to use the pink/black zebra stripe vet wrap! But it will have to wait for the weekend since I leave on a business trip in the morning (and hope to go to the SW VA Bird Club meeting tonight. If I can figure out where it is - the website hasn't been updated in many months...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bran Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 wow, talk about MacGuyver! I am impressed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Okay, I added four risers for additional stability. I also made a round swing (cutting a slice off of a 6" PVC coupling and wrapping it with jute). I'm not really sure if the spacing will work for her to go from perch to perch. I'll wait until I get her and see how she plays before I make any more mods. I have the water dish in process... Now I'm going to cut & dye some wood for a few toys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana600 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Gosh that is cool, ya got me wanting to play on it. I was wondering what you were going to do for catching droppings, etc. I give my birds treats all day and they make lots of messes flinging nut shells and other things. I know you will figure it out, you are already on top of all the things anyone could think of while waiting for your little one to arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Well, it is on wheels so I can quickly move it to vacuum... I still need to make a lip around the bottom. I forgot to buy the wood for that when I was buying the wood for the toys that I'm making right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 It looks like the Gorilla Glue is gonna do the trick! I had to use my Dremel to grind down both pieces where they were glued together as they both had raised print. I used a 3" cap (which is more in-line with the dishes in the cage). I also used a 3/4" plug. (Note that I replaced the elbow with a T. I just used the plug (slip fit) rather than a threaded fitting since I couldn't find a T with two slip & one threaded.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 That looks nice, we may want you to do a demonstration on how easy it is to make one of these playstands at one of the bird club meetings, remember its this Tuesday, September 13 at the church listed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 I'd be happy to do so! Making it is a lot easier than designing it! (I just kinda winged it, changing things as necessary...) As a homebrewer, I am used to "repurposing" hardware - it involves a LOT of time at the hardware store staring at parts and trying to figure out how to do stuff the manufacturers never intended when they designed their parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It looks like the Gorilla Glue is gonna do the trick! I had to use my Dremel to grind down both pieces where they were glued together as they both had raised print. I used a 3" cap (which is more in-line with the dishes in the cage). I also used a 3/4" plug. (Note that I replaced the elbow with a T. I just used the plug (slip fit) rather than a threaded fitting since I couldn't find a T with two slip & one threaded.) [ATTACH]20890[/ATTACH] Very nice! Impressive work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoulderin Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 So professionally made! I bought the materials but am too lazy to make one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Go for it! As long as you aren't gluing the pieces together (and there is no need for that), you can make any changes you want if you need to "fix" it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupid Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Great great stand! I cant wait for ELEGUA TO COME HOME, todays the big day!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now