Backpack Tubulum Construction

by Mike

Please direct your questions and comments to: tenorplayer4life@earthlink.net

Supplies

4" sewer drain pipe

4" corrugated drain pipe (the black flexible kind)

1.5" PVC pipe

1" PVC pipe

NOTE: I do not have exact values. This is tailor-made to your body. I will give you some estimates as we move on.

 

Step One

The Frame

The frame is 2-part object. The top of Frame Part A is at the bottom of the picture. This is the part that will be strapped to your back.

I would buy...

8' of 1.5" PVC pipe

7 1.5" T fittings

5 1.5"-to-1" reducer fittings

Everything on this portion is 1.5" PVC pipe. There are also 7 1.5" T fittings signified by the darker points. On this portion I made everything tailored to my body type and you should do the same. The width of this part should be shoulder width. The length should extend down past your behind.

Frame Part A

 

I used 1.5" PVC on this portion but for the rest I used 1" PVC. Therefore, you will need reducers at every arrow point here.

You will notice on the top of the frame there is a T fitting in the middle pointing up this is an extra point of contact I made for the rack that will hold the tubes. It has a reducer on it also with a fixed piece of 1 in pipe.

Here are some points to keep in mind when constructing Frame Part A:

  • Measure your shoulder width and give yourself a little extra on each side.
  • Measure the length from your shoulders to your butt…then add a foot to that.
  • Use the number for the width and length and use that to make the above picture. (remember the T joints account for an amount of width so factor that in)
  • Build the frame as shown in the above picture. Leaving out the two tubes extending outside of the side with the extra T joint.
  • Add reducers to arrow points.

Everything you see here is PVC-glued. While I do believe this is the best way of doing it, it is hard to do. I had built a lot of things prior to this including a sprinkler system…so gluing PVC was not new to me. That being said this was HARD to do for me. So here are some helpful things I learned. If you are afraid of this portion there is always the option of riveting the frame after you have hammered it all together. I imagine it will suffice but like I said I believe PVC glue is the best and strongest rout.

PVC glue notes:

  • Cut and hammer together the frame EXACTLY how it will be when it is glued before gluing. There are no redo’s in PVC gluing so if you get to the last piece and realize it is wrong, you have lost the whole project.
  • This part of the frame needs to be straight. That may seem easy but since PVC is round it tends to twist and such when you have the lubrication of glue. DO THIS ON A FLAT SURFACE such as a garage floor.
  • BE CARFUL NOT TO GLUE YOURSELF INTO A CORNER. What I mean by this is that you will have to build the frame in steps. That being said make sure whatever you glue will allow you to glue the next piece. Its all about planning so make sure you have one J

Part A will eventually have the backpack straps and a belt on it but that will be done much later.

Frame Part A

Example of a reducer