A few weeks ago I asked about plans to make a roping dummy out of PVC and all I could get and find was photographs, with one exception. It had a photo with some dimensions that I was able to start with. This is a Christmas present for my grandson. He's 6.
Materials:
Fittings for 1.25" sch40
Oversized fittings: (this is for the back legs to swing freely)
2 Hex head bolts 5/16" x 2.5"
1 Roping head (I bought mine from Tractor Supply, KM Products, Made in Texas www.TruthRoping.com)
Long bungee cord, 48-52"
2 cans of paint for plastic
I had to play with the cuts so I could get everything from the 3 pipes. I hate waste. So for project efficiency:
I started the frame at the top and built down from there. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER BEFORE GLUING.
It was slightly difficult to keep the Ts and elbows lined up to keep it square, especially since the glue dries quickly. I was just using the blue PVC pipe glue. Maybe a different color (clear or black) dries a little slower to allow you to make adjustments.
I hope these drawings help. I don't think I could explain it in words.
You will see that I actually have 2 spacers between the legs. I made my original with the intention of using 18" cross members, which would dictate the 2 spacers. When I was finished I realized the dummy was too tall and I had to cut it down. Also I had to buy extra pipe and had a bunch of waste. I recalculated everything to where if I made it with 16" cross members, it would not have any waste and I would only need 1 spacer.
The roping head comes with 2 hay spikes, but it isn't practical to this. You will need to drill holes through the pipe and use the 5/16" bolts to attach it.
After I finished it occurred to me that many of the commercial designs add a skid under the rails. I'm going to cut 48" from a 2" PVC pipe and use my table saw to split it lengthwise. Then use a heat gun to bend the front part up.
So again, my original dummy was too tall and I had to cut it down some, hence in the photos you will see the risers with connectors. You won't need that if you use the measurements I put at the beginning.
I seriously want to make a second one for myself. I've always wanted to rope and I learned some many years ago but never really did much with it.
Materials:
3 x 10' x 1.25" schedule 40 pipe
Fittings for 1.25" sch40
6 caps
4 x 90 degree elbows
8 x 45 degree elbows
14 x T's
4 x 90 degree elbows
8 x 45 degree elbows
14 x T's
Oversized fittings: (this is for the back legs to swing freely)
2 x T's for 1.5" in line, 1.25" side out
1 x In line connector, 1.5" (Keeps the back legs separated)
1 x In line connector, 1.5" (Keeps the back legs separated)
2 Hex head bolts 5/16" x 2.5"
1 Roping head (I bought mine from Tractor Supply, KM Products, Made in Texas www.TruthRoping.com)
Long bungee cord, 48-52"
2 cans of paint for plastic
I had to play with the cuts so I could get everything from the 3 pipes. I hate waste. So for project efficiency:
First pipe: Cut 6 x 16" and 3 x 18"
Second Pipe: 7 x 16" and 1 x 8"
Third Pipe: 8 x 4" ; 4 x 6" and 8 x 8"
Second Pipe: 7 x 16" and 1 x 8"
Third Pipe: 8 x 4" ; 4 x 6" and 8 x 8"
I started the frame at the top and built down from there. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER BEFORE GLUING.
It was slightly difficult to keep the Ts and elbows lined up to keep it square, especially since the glue dries quickly. I was just using the blue PVC pipe glue. Maybe a different color (clear or black) dries a little slower to allow you to make adjustments.
I hope these drawings help. I don't think I could explain it in words.
You will see that I actually have 2 spacers between the legs. I made my original with the intention of using 18" cross members, which would dictate the 2 spacers. When I was finished I realized the dummy was too tall and I had to cut it down. Also I had to buy extra pipe and had a bunch of waste. I recalculated everything to where if I made it with 16" cross members, it would not have any waste and I would only need 1 spacer.
The roping head comes with 2 hay spikes, but it isn't practical to this. You will need to drill holes through the pipe and use the 5/16" bolts to attach it.
After I finished it occurred to me that many of the commercial designs add a skid under the rails. I'm going to cut 48" from a 2" PVC pipe and use my table saw to split it lengthwise. Then use a heat gun to bend the front part up.
So again, my original dummy was too tall and I had to cut it down some, hence in the photos you will see the risers with connectors. You won't need that if you use the measurements I put at the beginning.
I seriously want to make a second one for myself. I've always wanted to rope and I learned some many years ago but never really did much with it.
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