Everyday uses for PVC water pipe • Hacker News Board

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#91

Post by EvanAnderson » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 12:30 PM UTC

Mistletoe wrote: post #37

We could have had an internet like this.

I know you're talking about indie content and decentralization, but all I can think about is an Internet constructed of a series of tubes-- blue PVC tubes.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#92

Post by bluGill » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 12:31 PM UTC

Vvector wrote: post #90

briHass wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's certainly not 'way worse'. CPVC/PVC has its advantages and disadvantages, just like every other piping method. CPVC can become less pliable over time, particularly for hot water, but properly (by code) supported/strapped and glued, it can last for decades. It, like PEX, should be run to a well-secured, copper stub out where it sticks out of the wall in an area where it could be damaged. Copper is not without its…

"it can last for decades" Just my personal opinion, that's the problem with US housing. We build stuff to last 20-30 years(if properly installed) , instead of 100s of years.

We build most houses to last for centuries when properly maintained. We also know from experience that few houses go more than 50 years without a major remodel so we don't overbuild making that impossible.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#93

Post by koolba » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 12:45 PM UTC

Best use I’ve ever found was a wall mounted fishing rod holder. Takes a bit of work to get the lip opening just right to match your rod side (if you’re a perfectionist), but final product is the pinnacle of functional efficiency.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#94

Post by frogpelt » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 12:46 PM UTC

sgt wrote: post #76

frogpelt wrote: post #42

Also, curtain rods. I don't see that listed but I used 3 PVC pipes and two 45-degree PVC couplings for about 5 years as a curtain rod above a bay window in my breakfast nook. I painted them black and glued a finial on each end to disguise it. Nobody ever noticed, which is quite disappointing.

Does the paint handle some friction?

Ok, that part wasn't too great actually. I guess you could put some clear finish over the paint to help protect it.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#95

Post by frogpelt » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 12:48 PM UTC

andersrs wrote: post #60

PVC is mildly toxic.

Isn't everything?

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#96

Post by js2 » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 1:06 PM UTC

whartung wrote: post #21

Folks on YouTube cut, heat, and flatten PVC and then scratch build scale models out of it. This working excavator is rather extraordinary. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qam0DmWq_No&pp=ygUTcHZjIHBpcGU...

I've only gotten to the part where he makes the gear... despite having a few jigs, I can't get over how much he's doing by hand and by eye with sufficient precision. The teeth were hand drawn and match up with the spacing of the tracks made earlier. Very impressive work.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#97

Post by throwawayForMe2 » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 1:14 PM UTC

nomel wrote: post #3

Don't forget all the various music instruments you can make out of them! https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/resource-center/diy-musica... These are fun: https://youtu.be/-0gED3rn2Tc&t=200

I have made many flutes out of pvc. Shakuhachi, bansuri, Ney, are all good to make in pvc. I have also made recorder style, using a shaped cedar plug on the mouth end.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#98

Post by JoshTko » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 1:40 PM UTC

whartung wrote: post #21

Folks on YouTube cut, heat, and flatten PVC and then scratch build scale models out of it. This working excavator is rather extraordinary. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qam0DmWq_No&pp=ygUTcHZjIHBpcGU...

PVC is quite toxic in a variety of ways. I would never heat, cut PVC voluntarily, especially without full breathing protection

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#99

Post by pimlottc » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

jiofj wrote: post #77

xeonmc wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes but the dozens of miles is moving water whereas the last few feet in you house is stale water.

You don't let the water run for a bit before drinking it?

I think it's safe to say many, many people don't do this.

Re: Everyday uses for PVC water pipe

#100

Post by bombcar » Sat, Sep 16, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

briHass wrote: post #25

genter wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

CPVC might be better than PVC, but it's still way worse than copper or pex. Both PVC and CPVC will shatter if stressed beyond it's yield strength. Go hit it with a hammer, and compare that to hitting a copper pipe or pex. This is also the reason why pvc is super dangerous for compressed air.

It's certainly not 'way worse'. CPVC/PVC has its advantages and disadvantages, just like every other piping method. CPVC can become less pliable over time, particularly for hot water, but properly (by code) supported/strapped and glued, it can last for decades. It, like PEX, should be run to a well-secured, copper stub out where it sticks out of the wall in an area where it could be damaged. Copper is not without its…

If you go PEX, I highly recommend going the entire Uponor route and use the expansion tooling (get the powered one).

No need to worry about incorrect crimps and it just works.