PVC Bird Play Gym Stand

[kicksnj]

Another life time ago, I got a PVC bird stand / play gym stand from a vendor at a animal pet show in PA. I always wondered what they used to make the grooved pattern in the pieces of PVC where the bird stands on. I have heard many times to use #60 sand paper and rub the heck out of the pipe. But it still didn't have the same results as the stand I bought. I ask the person selling the stand and who also made them, how did you get the surface of the PVC that way, and I got the classic answer, "if I told you then I would have to kill you" So to this day I still wonder what was used. Can anyone share some light on this now since it has been so long since I thought about it. I only ask now cause I have birds again.

 

[Chaos_1.0]

Do you have a picture of the pvc to show how it was grooved? I would think you could groove it by throwing it on a lathe and making cuts in it but that's about it.

 

[triordan]

they score it somehow~ I have one like that too, but the ones I have made I just wrap in vet wrap or cover it in sisal rope

 

[Chaos_1.0]

You could always take a really sharp knife and score it a whole bunch. That's about all I could think of or do what triordan suggested.

 

[Mamanda]

I just ordered a shower perch that describes to have PVC that's been altered somehow to allow a bird to have a good grip. I'm very curious to see how it's done. It'll be here Monday.

 

[amysaviary]

Don't use sand paper, it can cause splinters on the birds feet. They use a dremel tool. My husband makes them and I have a friend that has a website selling perches and play gyms made of PVC.

 

[roxynoodle]

I was also going to say use a Dremel. PVC is really, really hard to cut with a knife. With a Dremel you could sculpt the whole surface.

 

[Spiritbird]

Try wrapping with vet tape.

 

[roxynoodle]

I wrapped Pete's shower perch with vet wrap. However he is too busy in there with his shower to think of picking it off. I can see some birds maybe doing that on a play gym.

Harbor Freight Tools sells a really cheap Dremel type tool with a bunch of attachments for those in the US looking for one they won't use much. I've seen it on sale as low as $7.99. I have an old Craftsman one and a newer Dremel brand one, but I do use it a lot. I only have 2 because I loaned the old one to someone and didn't see it again for 3 years; was pretty sure I was never getting it back! They are also great for cutting the heads off bolts if you want to make your own perches.

 

[kicksnj]

Re: PVC Bird Play Gym Stand - PICTURES

Here are some pictures I took of one part of the perch. It almost looks like a wood finish. Maybe done with a belt sander, Router?? I'm gona try both since I have both tools.

 

[roxynoodle]

I have a PVC parrot tower that also has perches shaped like tree branches. I expect it was molded that way though in the factory. I'm not sure I could do that well with a Dremel.

Maybe I'll experiment with a leftover piece of plumbing and see what I can do.

 

[kicksnj]

Well I think I found what I was looking for. And I like it much better then the photos first posted. It has much better grip to it then the perch I bought years ago. My birds seem to like it just fine.

I will post more on how I did it soon. I have made several pieces already and they all came out consistently. Anyone will be able to do this too. All I used was a regular hand drill and the "special bit" I used. lol......

 

[roxynoodle]

Please tell us what kind of bit you used

 

[427HISS]

please tell us what kind of bit you used

me too,....me too ! :d

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Inquiring minds are still waiting!!! I think yours looks much better than the others you posted.

 

[427HISS]

First posted almost 2-1/2 weeks ago. Hope everythings ok ?
Maybe just busy.

 

[roxynoodle]

Yep, I'm still waiting, too, as I'd like to make the perches the same way.

 

[henpecked]

Have you tried using a wood rasp ? There are two types, one is a round (drum looking) bit for a rotary tool (drill) or the other looks similar to a flat file ,only with larger "teeth". There are some more expensive ones that look like a cheese grater (made by Mirco-Plane).

 

[kicksnj]

OK, so here is how I made the textured finish on the PVC pipe that I posted pictures of. "HenPecked" hit the nail on the head. It is in fact a "Wood Rasp" that I used to make the texture on the PVC pipe.

I bought it at The Home Depot for around $4.00 Get it there if you can. I tried buying a few others from other stores in my area, Lowes, Harbor Freight, local harware store, but only the one from Home Depot worked the best and gave me the best finish on the PVC pipe.

Here is also the link to Home Depot for the Wood Rasp. I got it right in the store.
16681 5/8 in. Rasp File-16681 at The Home Depot

Here is a short video I did so you can see how I did it. Also I will make another video later if you like about how to stain the PVC Pipe any color you want. This is dye staining, NOT plastic spray paint that can scratch or flake off. I might even make a few of the tablet top/travel stands as you see here for sale on eBay for those who are not inclined try this themselves.

[ame="http://youtu.be/2ZemNvpljok"]Rasp Cutting into PVC Pipe - YouTube[/ame]

If you have any questions just message me.

P.S. Maybe the MODS might consider this for a "Sticky"

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

This is EXCELLENT!!! Thank you so much kicksnj.