skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Retired Plumbers can do crafts tooo

12 years ago

I am working on a much bigger project and this is just one piece of it, but I thought I would show you all the lawn chair I made for my plush animal frog.

The frog is 19" tall and the chair is 18" tall.

The chair is made out of 1/2" PVC pipe and the seat & back are nylon cloth.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

arcy_gw
12 years ago
PVC pipe is great for crafts. The chair is adorable..but what is the cost? All those fittings add up fast!!
lazypup
Original Author
12 years ago
Actually the cost is not nearly as bad as you might expect.

The total cost for pipe & fittings was about $15.

I had the nylon cloth leftover from another project.

The only problem I ran into was figuring out how to connect the seat to the frame. I finally ended up pushing a piece of 3/16" diameter steel rod through the end seams then I drilled a 1/4" hole in the 45deg elbow on each side and inserted the end of the steel rod in the hole.

I then printed a sign that says "Senior Editor" on photo paper stock and sealed that with plastic laminator, then I fit that into the seat back.
Related Discussions
Tangent of 'mojo' thread-how do you avoid 'retiring?'
Q
Comments (10)
I retired early after a strong career with many hours and travel. The only thing then, and sometimes now, that feels like a bit of a loss is when people ask me what I do. Meaning job wise, not having the "title". And now that I have been out of the circuit, so much has changed that my conversation is fairly limited in discussing anything once related to a career. For anyone retiring I believe they should have a "passion" for something outside of their job and family. And it should be something far ahead of retirement. Can be tricky to include such when one's job, family, take a great deal of time. But I think in todays environment we forget to give some special time to ourselves. Before retirement while working is a good time to take the time and discover what really makes you who you are. Celtic, the book you mentioned is probably a tool for what I'm sharing. My passion was/is art, photography and the outdoors, they fill my days. My husband restored antique cars. Having different passions also kept us out of each other's hair whic can become an issue hanging around each other 7/24. But our separate fun stuff also meant loving being able to share days of doing things together. Which was usually on a whim, because the schedules were usually open. And even though kids are grown, busy with work and their own passions....they continue to hang around and be part of what I have going on. I like being independant but great to know they are there and we actually have more time doing things together (on their schedule) than when I was working. Knowing that health can change at anytime is always there, but this too can be less of an impact with a "passion" involved. I remember a couple who were so intrigued with what my husband and I were into and told me how much they wished there had been something other than golf and their house to keep them busy after retirement. Both were great people and kept themselves active, but the days had become stagnant. I do volunteer some, but definitely what is loved and the longer I'm retired the more found to do. Money doesn't have to fuel a passion either, am comfortable but watching the budget is part of all.....to keep the fun stuff going.
...See More
Women with retired DH's - how do you stand it? (vent)
Q
Comments (40)
Hi Clare~~I don't really have anything concrete to tell you, but I am literally going through the exact same thing. My DH's company CLOSED in October, and since he is 58 years old and was in the financial market, there is no hope of him finding another job, so we are trying to figure out how to semi-retire. For the first few months, I thought I would pull every hair out of my head. Thank God, I work full-time at a job I absolutely love, so that is a huge help. However, I, too gave him a few months to settle into a different type of living, but lately, I am getting very aggravated because since I work all day, and then come home to cook, do laundry, etc., I find that he sits at the computer or TV ALL day and does nothing. I am ready to run away. Our third son, who still lives with us (20 yrs.old) is bipolar, and my husband suffers from depression. All I can say is that you need to get out of the house a few times a week and work it out with him to help with your son. If you don't get alone time, things get tougher. I find that I am looking at my DH differently because I feel like he is just lazy. I know things will work out eventually, but if you don't make some time for yourself, it will definitely get harder. I'm sorry that I don't have anything more valuable to tell you. Hang in there, and like others have said....."in good times and bad times". Take care.
...See More
Do any licensed plumbers hang out here?
Q
Comments (9)
This is a plan of the house, prior to a couple of changes that didn't involve plumbing. The blue lines show the water meter and the water lines coming into the house, and the two faucets on the outside of the house. There is another faucet further out into the yard a little further than it shows with the line that ends a little beyond the red box. The red box is where I would like the kitchen to be. It currently has a slab poured and was planned for dining space, but it seems wasted to have a great backyad and no views to it. The green x's are a wall I would take out. There is a gas line in that wall that was capped when we switched to electric, and would have to be recapped further up in the attic.
...See More
Retiring to vs. Retiring from
Q
Comments (35)
Hi cheery one, I'm pleased that you're happy with the "pro"s of your retirement. And somewhat sad that you're feeling that you're not keeping up to the mark of what you'd hoped/planned to do. If you feel the need to beat yourself over the back about that - make sure it's with a wet noodle ... and only five strokes, O.K? As for the "average" retiree, I don't feel that I have too much of a handle on that ... and wonder what level of expertise you may claim in that department? I think that it's important to do things that we can be pleased with ourselves for having done, at the end of the day ... week ... month ... year. Something that I note to have been scarcely mentioned in this thread so far is the need that all of us retirees have to concern ourselves about (as well as people in the workforce) is the erosion of the value of our income (and, for us retirees, our assets) due to inflation, every year for about the last 80. There hasn't been much increase in incomes in recent years, except for the wealthy few ... but the prices keep going up ... and for most of us, those prices of much of the goods and services that we buy have been and are going up faster than the official rate of inflation. When we put money in the bank, or buy bonds, etc. which pay us the same number of dollars after several years that we gave them in the first place, apart from the "rent" on the money, it isn't only taxes and living expenses that much come out of the earnings ("rent on the money"), but an allowance for inflation, as well, in order to keep the purchasing power of those assets equal in ten years to what it is now. Good wishes to you for dealing well with the days ahead: may they be as many as please you, with good health, friends, enough bucks to meet your needs, things to do and a few challenges, here and there. ole joyfuelled
...See More
Jasdip
12 years ago
That's adorable!!! Is the frog a particular pet for you, that he gets his own chair?
summershine1
12 years ago
Wow, so cute. Great job on that!
jannie
12 years ago
You are so talented!
foggyj
12 years ago
That is pretty cool. What IS the story with the frog?. I'm sure you have a good story. You usually do! LOL
Cute chair.
User
12 years ago
Cute, now you will have to make a big one!
sheesh
12 years ago
Pretty cute, pup! Did you sew the cloth, too?

I have one remaining adult-size chair just like yours that is 35 years old. That thing has been banging around out in the cold, snowy winters and hot miserable summers all these years and is showing its age. Maybe you've inspired me to paint it and make fresh new "upholstery"! Mine has pipes running along the bottoms of the legs so the "feet" don't dig into the grass. Don't suppose your frog will weigh his chair down too much, though.

Thanks for the idea!
kacram
12 years ago
that is soooo cute!

could I make one suggestion? to put the same caps you have on the top onto the legs? that would really finish it off! I remember all the how to's out on the web for pvc pip furniture a few years ago. I always wanted to try it out! tis is cute!
nanatricia
12 years ago
That is so cute!!!
lazypup
Original Author
12 years ago
Yea, i did the sewing too, can't you tell from the amatuerish appearance?....LOL

I have not done any sewing in over 25 years and this was the first time I ever sewed nylon. To make it even more challenging, I was using a brand new Singer Sewing Machine, right out of the box, so I was not familiar with it, but I managed to get it done.

Now if I could only get the other parts I need for this project. I ordered a small camera for the frog about 4 weeks ago, but its coming from China so who knows how long it will take to get here...hell, with my luck some overzealous U.S. Customs or Homeland Security agent will think its a spy camera or a nuclear detonator or something and I will never get it.

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Get a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Yes, you can have a new build you’ll love right off the bat. Consider learning about yourself a bonus

DECORATING GUIDES 8 Reasons to Jump Off the DIY Bandwagon

By Laura Gaskill

You heard right. Stop beating yourself up for not making stuff yourself, and start seeing the bright side of buying from others

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Houzz TV: This Amazing Lake House Made a Couple’s Dream Come True

By Nora Burba Trulsson

Step inside a dream home on Lake Austin, where architecture celebrating gorgeous views has a striking beauty of its own

LAUNDRY ROOMS 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Laundry Room

By Laura Gaskill

Get your laundry area in shape to make washday more pleasant and convenient

INSIDE HOUZZ A New Houzz Survey Reveals What You Really Want in Your Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

Discover what Houzzers are planning for their new kitchens and which features are falling off the design radar

WORKING WITH PROS A Beginner’s Guide to Managing a Remodel

How do you make your design dream a reality? Here’s some project management know-how to help you work with your designer

MOVING Saying Goodbye to One Home and Hello to Another

By Laura Gaskill

Honor your past and embrace your future with these ideas for easing the transition during a move

MOST POPULAR A Few Words on the Power of Simplicity

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

An architect considers a pared-down approach to modern home design

LAUNDRY ROOMS Luxury of Space: Designing a Dream Laundry Room

By Elements of Style

Plan with these zones and amenities in mind to get a laundry room that takes function and comfort to the max

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: Sustainable, Comfy Living in 196 Square Feet

By Vanessa Brunner

Solar panels, ship-inspired features and minimal possessions make this tiny Washington home kind to the earth and cozy for the owners

Sponsored

More Discussions

Oh no! Another one!

684

Real estate commissions: This may be the end to them as we know them

25

25 years of gardening from the beginnings to the decline

87

in search of floraluk!! Desperate help needed again for posting photo

9

Smile today - 5/1/24

8