Build a Versatile PVC Light Stand for Under $5
by retrofilms in Workshop > Lighting
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Build a Versatile PVC Light Stand for Under $5
![light stand complete.JPG](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F3S/9OHM/G825HPYZ/F3S9OHMG825HPYZ.jpg&filename=light stand complete.JPG)
You need to add light to properly expose your image (whether for photography or video). I had assembled a decent DIY light kit, but needed somewhere to properly hang my lights. The lowest cost retail stand I could find was $20. I managed to come up with a PVC design that served the same purpose at 1/4 of that price and could do things a retail stand couldn't.
Parts List
![Parts.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FU1/6FLM/G825R33U/FU16FLMG825R33U.jpg&filename=Parts.jpg)
![PVC cutters.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FXL/HHE3/G825R33V/FXLHHE3G825R33V.jpg&filename=PVC cutters.jpg)
(1) 10' length of 3/4" PVC pipe
(4) 3/4" couplers
(3) 3/4" tee joints
(4) 3/4" end caps
PVC ratcheting cutters
(4) 3/4" couplers
(3) 3/4" tee joints
(4) 3/4" end caps
PVC ratcheting cutters
Cut Up 10' PVC Pole
![cut pieces.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FDC/1866/G825CKM7/FDC1866G825CKM7.jpg&filename=cut pieces.jpg)
(3) 2' lengths.
(6) 6" lengths.
(1) 1 1/2" length.
(1) 10 1/2" length.
(6) 6" lengths.
(1) 1 1/2" length.
(1) 10 1/2" length.
Assemble Basic Stand Parts
![add couplers.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FIX/C4CJ/G825CKM1/FIXC4CJG825CKM1.jpg&filename=add couplers.jpg)
![short pieces into tees.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCX/QA5A/G825NEWV/FCXQA5AG825NEWV.jpg&filename=short pieces into tees.jpg)
![end caps on.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FTS/A08Z/G825HPRB/FTSA08ZG825HPRB.jpg&filename=end caps on.jpg)
![small piece into tee.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FP5/U1KK/G825HPRF/FP5U1KKG825HPRF.jpg&filename=small piece into tee.jpg)
![broken down stand.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F7R/FCLR/G825R33S/F7RFCLRG825R33S.jpg&filename=broken down stand.jpg)
Press fit the couplers onto the longest pieces. This will give you 3 longs and a short that resemble futuristic clubs.
Cram 2 6" pieces opposite each other into each tee.
Add end caps onto 2 of the assembled "tees + shorts" parts.
Add 1 1/2" piece in non-end-capped tee.
Cram 2 6" pieces opposite each other into each tee.
Add end caps onto 2 of the assembled "tees + shorts" parts.
Add 1 1/2" piece in non-end-capped tee.
Assemble Stand
![assemble base.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FEF/Q3RY/G825R33R/FEFQ3RYG825R33R.jpg&filename=assemble base.jpg)
![low light.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FV4/DQVF/G825NEWU/FV4DQVFG825NEWU.jpg&filename=low light.jpg)
![short stand.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FG1/KTBA/G825CKMD/FG1KTBAG825CKMD.jpg&filename=short stand.jpg)
![add wieght.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJ0/L0BR/G825NEWS/FJ0L0BRG825NEWS.jpg&filename=add wieght.jpg)
Push the two end-capped tees onto the piece with the short insert.
Add lengths for different heights, all the way up to 7'.
Add lengths for different heights, all the way up to 7'.
Attaching Lights
![add worklight.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FC6/Y1S5/G825HPR6/FC6Y1S5G825HPR6.jpg&filename=add worklight.jpg)
![add clamplight.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F8H/578E/G825R33Q/F8H578EG825R33Q.jpg&filename=add clamplight.jpg)
![add flo.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2M/3AZP/G825CKM2/F2M3AZPG825CKM2.jpg&filename=add flo.jpg)
How to attach a work light, a clamp light and a florescent light.
Accessories Make It Versatile
![elbow accessory.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FTC/SHJ9/G825CKM8/FTCSHJ9G825CKM8.jpg&filename=elbow accessory.jpg)
![accessory tee.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FCH/3KK8/G825R33P/FCH3KK8G825R33P.jpg&filename=accessory tee.jpg)
![accesory hinge.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F0Z/5SXS/G825CKM0/F0Z5SXSG825CKM0.jpg&filename=accesory hinge.jpg)
![support leg.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FB3/E7W5/G825R33W/FB3E7W5G825R33W.jpg&filename=support leg.jpg)
![chinese lantern.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FE1/0IVI/G825HPR7/FE10IVIG825HPR7.jpg&filename=chinese lantern.jpg)
![crib sheet.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F3D/MCQP/G825HPYY/F3DMCQPG825HPYY.jpg&filename=crib sheet.jpg)
A Bag to Carry It In
![carrying bag.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F84/1ERR/G825CKM3/F841ERRG825CKM3.jpg&filename=carrying bag.jpg)
You're going to need a way to transport your new stands as they can be awkward and heavier than the retail version. Any big bag will do.
For more nanobudget tips, please visit The Frugal Filmmaker...
For more nanobudget tips, please visit The Frugal Filmmaker...