Making a Pumpkin Using PVC Pipe

So after seeing a few pumpkin decorations at a retail store I decided to try to come up with my own version of a pumpkin decoration using a few pieces of 4 1/2 inch wide PVC pipe I had at the house, and I figured if I cut them up into wedges and then glued the wedges together it would have the outside shape of a pumpkin. But then I thought it would be really cool to add lighting to the pumpkin by leaving a small gap between the wedges.

-- PVC Pipe

-- Wood Dowel or Stick

-- Paint and Paint Brushes

-- Glue or Hot Glue Gun

-- Artificial Decor for top of Pumkin

-- Sandpaper

-- String of Lights

Tools Needed

-- Saw for cutting PVC Pipe

-- Tape Measure

-- Hot Glue Gun

-- The PVC pipe I was using was 4 1/2 inches wide

-- So, the first thing that I did was to lay a circle out which was the width of two pieces of 4 1/2 inch PVC pieces with a 1 inch wood dowel in the middle.

-- Next thing I did was decide on how many wedges I wanted to do.

-- Then I decided on the size gap that I wanted to go with. Which I decided to go with a 5/8 inch gap.

-- After doing the layout the outside wedge dimension ended up being 2 inches wide.

-- You will notice that by drawing a straight line from the outside to the center that the wedges ended up 1/4 inch where it meets the wood dowel.

-- The next step is to cut your twelve pieces which will be 2 inches wide down to 1/4 inches.

-- I used a bandsaw for this. I found that for my wedges by setting the miter at 10 degrees on each side was perfect.

-- After cutting the pieces I gave them a little sanding to remove any rough edges and for helping the paint to bond better.

-- I decided to paint the inside of the wedges yellow thinking this would help the lights to show up better.

-- Then for the outside I started by painting it black followed by several coats of orange. I was trying to get a more realistic pumpkin color. I was happy with how these turned out.

-- To start with I held the wood dowel up to one of the PVC pieces and cut it just above the halfway point.

-- Next I glued two of the pieces directly across from each other onto the wood dowel.

-- Then opposite of them I did the same thing.

-- Now it will support itself to make it easier to glue up the remaining pieces.

"Note- Leave out one section of PVC to make it easier for placing the lights on the inside."

-- Work the string of lights around on the inside of your pumpkin. If you are using your pumpkin outside be sure to use indoor-outdoor lights.

-- Once you have the lights in glue the last PVC piece in place. Be sure to leave the plug on the lights to the outside.

"Hint- next time I would probably use rope lighting so they wouldn't be so noticeable on the inside of the pumpkin"

-- For the stem cut a piece of stick or limb the same width as the wood dowel you used and glue it on top of the pumpkin.

-- To spruce up the pumpkin I hot glued some fall color artificial leaves and a pinecone that I purchased from the dollar store on top.

Thanks for looking and be sure to post your pictures if you decide to make one of these pumpkins. And also, if you get a chance check out some of the other things I make on my Etsy store at resinandwoodworld.etsy.com or find me on Instagram at resinandwoodworld.