Segmented PVC Pipe Wig Stand

Since I have to do a fairly major dye job on a long wig, I decided I needed to make a wig stand. Previously for working on long wigs I used a microphone stand. However it does not fit in the tub, where I will be doing the dye work. Also, it is metal and may not take well to all the water that will be sprayed on the wig.



Materials and Tools



For my wig stand, I decided to make it segmented for portability, and the ability to make it taller if needed. It took me about 2 hours to make. The materials I used are PVC pipe and fittings--two 5 foot long pieces of ¾ inch pipe, three ¾ inch slip/threaded “T” connecters, nine slip/threaded3/4 inch male adapters *, six slip/threaded ¾ inch female adapters *, four3/4 inch slip end caps, and one ½ inch threaded plug; Clear PVC cleaner, Purple PVC primer, and Orange PVC cement. The tools I used are a 1&5/8 inch PVC pipe cutter, a measuring tape, a Sharpie, protective gloves, a breathing filter and safety glasses. You will need to do this in a well ventilated area because the PVC cleaner, primer and cement all have harmful and potentially flammable fumes.

*male adapters have one end with the threads on the outsid3

*female addapters have one end with the threads on the inside





Making the Base:

Step 1: Cut your pipe.

Decide how long you want each segment to be, I decided on 12 inches, and measure and mark your pipe.

Cut your pipe into segments.

 Then cut 3 of the segments in half--these will be the base. You don’t have to use a pipe cutter—a saw or a drill with a cutting disc can be used—but I have found it a really worthwhile investment since I work with PVC pipe a lot.

 

 

 

Step 2: Clean and Prime your pieces.

Carefully read the instructions of your cleaner, primer and cement. Wear your gloves, filter, and glasses. Clean and prime one end of 4 of the short pieces you cut, clean and prime BOTH ends of the last 2. Clean and prime the inside of the NON-THREADED “T” connecter ends and 2 of the male adapters.

 

 

Step 3: Cementing the pieces together.

 Carefully read the instructions of your PVC Cement. Wearing your safety gear, apply a thin layer of cement on the primed end of one PVC piece and the inside of one primed end of a “T” connecter.

Insert the cemented pipe into the connecter with a twisting motion. Clean off any extra cement that bubbled out. Repeat for all small PVC pieces until you have 3 longer segments with a “T” connecter in the middle. Next take one segment and cement the 2 primed male adapters, one to each end.

Set aside the base to cure.

 

 

Making the Shaft:

Step 1: Clean and Prime your pieces.

If you haven’t cut your pieces, cut them out now. Then, wearing your safety gear, clean and prime both ends of all but one segment of PVC pipe. The last segment only needs to be cleaned and primed on one end. Clean and prime the NON-THREADED ends of all your remaining adapters.

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Cement the pieces together.

Apply a thin coat of cement to each end of a piece of pipe and the primed end a male adapter and a female adapter. Using a twisting motion, insert the pipe into the adapters male on one end and female on the other. Wipe off excess cement. Repeat for all but the last piece of pipe. The last piece of pipe only gets a male adapter.

Set aside the pieces to cure.

 

 

 

Finishing the ends:

Step 1: Clean and Prime the pieces.

 Clean and prime the outside of the ends of the side pieces of the base and the inside of the end of the top piece of the shaft. Clean and prime the insides of the end caps, and the outside of the threaded plug.

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Cement the pieces together.

Apply a thin coat of cement to the inside of one end cap and the outside of one end of a base side piece. Insert the base side piece into the end cap with a twisting motion. Repeat on all the base side piece ends. Apply a thin coat of cement to the inside of the end of the top shaft piece. Apply a thicker coat of cement to the threads of the threaded plug. Insert the end of the plug into the end of the shaft piece. Pound the plug into the pipe end. I just hit the plug end of the piece on the floor a couple times.

Set aside pieces to cure.

At this point I suggest washing each piece thoroughly, so nothing will be left to get on your wig. I used dish soap and Windsor Newton Brush Cleaner.

Assemble the stand:

Thread the base segment with the 2 male adapters into the threaded ends of the “T” connecters.Thread segments together, male adapters to female adapters. The top segment is the one with only a male adapter. Thread the end of the shaft into the base. Do not tighten all the way down, or you will have trouble taking it apart later.

Work on your wig.