{"id":26509,"date":"2014-05-02T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2014-05-02T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/?p=26509"},"modified":"2014-04-26T18:55:10","modified_gmt":"2014-04-27T00:55:10","slug":"diy-pvc-pipe-dresser-drawer-handle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/diy-pvc-pipe-dresser-drawer-handle\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY PVC Pipe Dresser Drawer Handle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The dresser that<\/strong> I inherited had two big drawers with broken knobs. I was hoping to use it\u00a0in my attempt to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/12-low-budget-ways-organize-sewing-room\/\" target=\"_blank\">organize my sewing room<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0It was well made, but wooden knobs can only handle so much 6 foot teenage boy. My engineer surprised me a few days ago with a new, very sturdy, PVC pipe drawer handle on one of them. He demonstrated how smoothly it pulled the drawer open using only one hand, and asked me if I liked it. I was very pleased. He asked if I wanted to see how he made it.<\/p>\n<p>Materials used:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>length of one inch PVC pipe &#8211; it is useful to note that this is the inside diameter, the outside is closer to 1.25 inches.<\/li>\n<li>something to cut spacer pieces out of, approximately 1.25 inches long, optional<\/li>\n<li>two 4 inch screws of a size that will fit through the holes that already exist in the drawer, which was\u00a0 #8 in this case<\/li>\n<li>two nuts to fit on the end of the screws, extra if using them instead of spacers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Equipment used:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>table saw<\/li>\n<li>regular drill<\/li>\n<li>drill press<\/li>\n<li>scraps of wood<\/li>\n<li>shop clamps<\/li>\n<li>vice<\/li>\n<li>shop knife<\/li>\n<li>grinder<\/li>\n<li>sand paper<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>First, he measured<\/strong> the distance between the holes already in the drawer. The handle needed to be a bit longer than that by approximately a couple of inches on each end. He had a scrap piece of PVC pipe that could be cut in half to give two pieces of good length. He measured the extra distance, divided it by 2, then measured that divided distance from each cut end of PVC pipe, marking it with pencil. <em>(click on any photo to enlarge)<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26531\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2-measure-for-holes.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26531 \" title=\"Marking how far from the ends of the PVC pipe handle to drill the holes.\" alt=\"Marking how far from the ends of the PVC pipe handle to drill the holes.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2-measure-for-holes-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2-measure-for-holes-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2-measure-for-holes-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2-measure-for-holes.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marking how far from the ends of the PVC pipe handle to drill the holes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>It was helpful<\/strong>\u00a0to have a guide to hold the round PVC pipe in place under the drill press. For this, a rounded ditch was cut in a length of scrap wood. A mark was made in the center bottom of this ditch at one location. The scrap wood was held in place with two other pieces of wood clamped in place to hold it, the drill press bit being positioned to verify alignment. When the PVC pipe was put in the guide, it did not roll away and it was much easier to drill exactly where it was marked.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26533\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-1-drill-guide.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26533 \" title=\"This ended up being a good way to keep the PVC pipe from rolling away while drilling through it with a drill press.\" alt=\"This ended up being a good way to keep the PVC pipe from rolling away while drilling through it with a drill press.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-1-drill-guide-300x171.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-1-drill-guide-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-1-drill-guide-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-1-drill-guide.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This ended up being a good way to keep the PVC pipe from rolling away while drilling through it with a drill press.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>It was simple enough<\/strong> to drill a hole straight through one end of the PVC, but it takes more care to make sure the second holes line up with the first ones directionally. The PVC pipe was laid against the hinges of the door being used as part of his shop table. Anything that will keep it from rolling, plus providing a clear edge to measure from, would do. He placed the pipe with the first hole facing him and measured how far up from the edge of the side of the door it was. Then, he went over to the other end of the pipe and measured that same distance from the edge of the door near where the mark for distance from the end was. This showed an intersection where the second hole should be drilled.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26535\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26535\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-3-drill-1st-hole.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26535 \" title=\"Drilling a hole through PVC pipe with a drill press.\" alt=\"Drilling a hole through PVC pipe with a drill press.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-3-drill-1st-hole-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-3-drill-1st-hole-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-3-drill-1st-hole-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-3-drill-1st-hole.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26535\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Drilling a hole through PVC pipe with a drill press.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26537\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.5-measure-for-holes.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26537 \" title=\"Measuring the holes drilled first, in one end of the handle section, compared to the straight edge of the door, to make sure the trajectory of the holes in the other end will be parallel.\" alt=\"Measuring the holes drilled first, in one end of the handle section, compared to the straight edge of the door, to make sure the trajectory of the holes in the other end will be parallel.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.5-measure-for-holes-300x149.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.5-measure-for-holes-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.5-measure-for-holes-1024x510.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.5-measure-for-holes.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Measuring the holes drilled first, in one end of the handle section, compared to the straight edge of the door, to make sure the trajectory of the holes in the other end will be parallel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26539\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26539\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.75-measure-for-holes.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26539 \" title=\"The crossing marks for the second set of holes.\" alt=\"The crossing marks for the second set of holes.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.75-measure-for-holes-300x190.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.75-measure-for-holes-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.75-measure-for-holes-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-2.75-measure-for-holes.jpg 1886w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The crossing marks for the second set of holes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Now would be<\/strong><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\"> a good time to spray paint the PVC pipe, if color matters to you. There are spray paints formulated to adhere to plastic, available at places like Home Depot and Walmart. This is what we used for the hanging rod for some of my greenhouse lights. If you <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/when-you-need-adjustable-greenhouse-lights-for-taller-plants-call-in-your-engineer-part-1\/\" target=\"_blank\">click on this link you can see that the painted PVC pipe looks like shiny, black metal<\/a><\/span><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">. This was not important to me in my sewing room, where everything is eclectic and I have many white plastic drawers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Some spacers<\/strong>\u00a0were made, to hold the PVC pipe handle out from the face of the drawer. My engineer had some thick plastic that he wanted to use <em>(available to him at a company&#8217;s clean trash pile)<\/em>. He said some wood would work just as well. The spacers could be skipped all together by just screwing a nut on to keep the PVC pipe handle at a proper distance. If some material is used to create a spacer, one end needs to be cut to a curvature that will fit on the PVC pipe. He did this by comparing hole saws to the PVC pipe. When he found one the correct size, he attached it to a regular, hand held drill to cut a circle through the plastic. The other end of each spacer piece can be flat, to fit up against the face of the drawer.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26541\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26541\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-4-compare-hols-saw-curve.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26541 \" title=\"Finding the best hole saw to put on the regular hand-held drill, to cut a circle in the plastic.\" alt=\"Finding the best hole saw to put on the regular hand-held drill, to cut a circle in the plastic.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-4-compare-hols-saw-curve-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-4-compare-hols-saw-curve-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-4-compare-hols-saw-curve-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-4-compare-hols-saw-curve.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finding the best hole saw to put on the regular hand-held drill, to cut a circle in the plastic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cutting the plastic spacers to the correct dimensions was done by:<\/p>\n<p>1. \u00a0 \u00a0Making sure the circle was cut at a distance from one end, so that one spacer would already be the correct length.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26543\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26543\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-5-cut-plastic-curves.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26543 \" title=\"Sawing\/drilling a hole in the plastic to make ends that will fit up against the PVC pipe handle.\" alt=\"Sawing\/drilling a hole in the plastic to make ends that will fit up against the PVC pipe handle.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-5-cut-plastic-curves-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-5-cut-plastic-curves-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-5-cut-plastic-curves-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-5-cut-plastic-curves.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sawing\/drilling a hole in the plastic to make ends that will fit up against the PVC pipe handle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>2. \u00a0 Using the table saw to make two grooves not quite all the way through one side of the plastic, guided by the table saw &#8216;fence&#8217;, that were spaced as far apart as the desired final width of the spacers. Doing this before the second spacer was cut to size leaves a place to hold for guiding the plastic through the saw.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26545\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26545\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-6-table-saw-for-grooves-in-plastic.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26545 \" title=\"Using the table saw to cut grooves in plastic, having the blade height adjusted so that it doesn't cut all the way through the piece.\" alt=\"Using the table saw to cut grooves in plastic, having the blade height adjusted so that it doesn't cut all the way through the piece.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-6-table-saw-for-grooves-in-plastic-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-6-table-saw-for-grooves-in-plastic-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-6-table-saw-for-grooves-in-plastic-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-6-table-saw-for-grooves-in-plastic.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26545\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Using the table saw to cut grooves in plastic, having the blade height adjusted so that it doesn&#8217;t cut all the way through the piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26576\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26576\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-7-both-grooves-done1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26576 \" title=\"A closer look at the grooves when they are done.\" alt=\"A closer look at the grooves when they are done.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-7-both-grooves-done1-300x228.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-7-both-grooves-done1-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-7-both-grooves-done1-1024x779.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-7-both-grooves-done1.jpg 1576w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26576\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A closer look at the grooves when they are done.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>3. \u00a0 \u00a0Saw the other end of the plastic off at an appropriate distance from the circle, so that both spacers are the same length.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26547\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26547\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-8-cut-off-handle-pieces.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26547  \" title=\"Now, sawing through the plastic pieces completely in a perpendicular direction, to get spacer pieces of equal length.\" alt=\"Now, sawing through the plastic pieces completely in a perpendicular direction, to get spacer pieces of equal length.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-8-cut-off-handle-pieces-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-8-cut-off-handle-pieces-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-8-cut-off-handle-pieces-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-8-cut-off-handle-pieces.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Now, sawing through the plastic pieces completely in a perpendicular direction, to get spacer pieces of equal length.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>4. \u00a0 <span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">The spacers need\u00a0holes drilled all the way through them and it works better do to this before the pieces get too small. A drill press makes this easy, because it will drill straight down. Since the drill press bit is held firmly in position it works to hold the plastic perpendicular against the drill plate. My engineer held it carefully by hand. If a regular drill is going to be used, then it would be safest to set up something with a vice or clamps to hold it. Flip the piece over to drill the other end.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26551\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26551\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-9-drill-plastic-ends.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26551 \" title=\"The force of the drill press is controllable and always straight, so makes this step safer and easier than a regular, hand-held drill.\" alt=\"The force of the drill press is controllable and always straight, so makes this step safer and easier than a regular, hand-held drill.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-9-drill-plastic-ends-300x196.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-9-drill-plastic-ends-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-9-drill-plastic-ends-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-9-drill-plastic-ends.jpg 1833w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The force of the drill press is controllable and always straight, so makes this step safer and easier than a regular, hand-held drill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26555\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26555\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-10-plastic-curls.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26555 \" title=\"I took this photo while the drilling was going on, and I could only see the blur of the plastic curls. It was fun to see how the camera captured them at one point in time.\" alt=\"I took this photo while the drilling was going on, and I could only see the blur of the plastic curls. It was fun to see how the camera captured them at one point in time.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-10-plastic-curls-300x198.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-10-plastic-curls-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-10-plastic-curls-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-10-plastic-curls.jpg 1814w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26555\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I took this photo while the drilling was going on, and I could only see the blur of the plastic curls. It was fun to see how the camera captured them at one point in time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>5. \u00a0\u00a0Put the grooved plastic horizontally in the vice, between 2 pieces of scrap wood to keep it from getting scratched, then snap it to one side, to almost completely break the extra width off of the plastic. Turn it around and do it to the other side.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26553\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26553\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-11-vice-and-break.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26553 \" title=\"Putting the plastic in the vice and snapping it, but it didn't quite snap all the way, so....\" alt=\"Putting the plastic in the vice and snapping it, but it didn't quite snap all the way, so....\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-11-vice-and-break-300x217.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-11-vice-and-break-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-11-vice-and-break-1024x743.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-11-vice-and-break.jpg 1653w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26553\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Putting the plastic in the vice and snapping it, but it didn&#8217;t quite snap all the way, so&#8230;.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>6. \u00a0 \u00a0Use a shop knife to cut through the last thin bit of plastic, to break it completely into the parts.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26558\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26558\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-12-shop-knife.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26558 \" title=\"The shop knife cuts through the last thin layer of plastic easily.\" alt=\"The shop knife cuts through the last thin layer of plastic easily.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-12-shop-knife-300x152.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-12-shop-knife-300x152.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-12-shop-knife-1024x521.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-12-shop-knife.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26558\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The shop knife cuts through the last thin layer of plastic easily.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26562\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26562\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-13-two-handle-extenders.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26562  \" title=\"And now we have two handle spacer pieces.\" alt=\"And now we have two handle spacer pieces.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-13-two-handle-extenders-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-13-two-handle-extenders-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-13-two-handle-extenders-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-13-two-handle-extenders.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26562\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And now we have two handle spacer pieces.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>7. \u00a0 \u00a0Grind off the rough edges of the plastic using the grinder and sand paper as needed.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26560\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26560\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-14-grind-rough-edges.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26560 \" title=\"Using the grinder to get rid of rough edges just takes a few seconds.\" alt=\"Using the grinder to get rid of rough edges just takes a few seconds.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-14-grind-rough-edges-300x194.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-14-grind-rough-edges-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-14-grind-rough-edges-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-14-grind-rough-edges.jpg 1848w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26560\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Using the grinder to get rid of rough edges just takes a few seconds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>8. \u00a0 \u00a0Peel of the protective plastic coating that was on the shiny front of the plastic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26564\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26564\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-15-peel-protective-coating.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26564 \" title=\" Peeling off the protective clear plastic.\" alt=\" Peeling off the protective clear plastic.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-15-peel-protective-coating-300x223.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-15-peel-protective-coating-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-15-peel-protective-coating-1024x763.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-15-peel-protective-coating.jpg 1610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26564\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Peeling off the protective clear plastic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26568\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26568\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-16-shiney-black.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26568 \" title=\"A nice, shiny black custom fit part.\" alt=\"A nice, shiny black custom fit part.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-16-shiney-black-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-16-shiney-black-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-16-shiney-black-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-16-shiney-black.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26568\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A nice, shiny black custom fit part.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Now, all that<\/strong> needs to be done is screw it all to the drawer face. \u00a0The screw is put through the PVC pipe, then the spacer, then lastly, through the hole in the drawer. A nut is screwed on the end sticking through to the inside of the drawer. If the PVC pipe was painted black, you probably want to paint the screw head black, too. Another option is to buy caps to finish the ends of the pipe, again painting them black if that is the color scheme.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26566\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26566\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-17-screw-through-PVC-and-black.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26566  \" title=\"The screw is slipped through PVC and black spacer piece.\" alt=\"The screw is slipped through PVC and black spacer piece.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-17-screw-through-PVC-and-black-300x208.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-17-screw-through-PVC-and-black-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-17-screw-through-PVC-and-black-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-17-screw-through-PVC-and-black.jpg 1730w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26566\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The screw is slipped through PVC and black spacer piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26570\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26570\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-18-up-to-drawer-front.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26570 \" title=\"Then the end of the screw is put through the hole in the  drawer front.\" alt=\"Then the end of the screw is put through the hole in the  drawer front.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-18-up-to-drawer-front-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-18-up-to-drawer-front-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-18-up-to-drawer-front-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-18-up-to-drawer-front.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26570\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Then the end of the screw is put through the hole in the drawer front.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26572\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-19-nut-inside-drawer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26572 \" title=\"There is just enough screw sticking through to the inside of the drawer to secure the screw with a nut, but not so much screw that it is going to be a hazard to my hands reaching in.\" alt=\"There is just enough screw sticking through to the inside of the drawer to secure the screw with a nut, but not so much screw that it is going to be a hazard to my hands reaching in.\" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-19-nut-inside-drawer-300x187.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-19-nut-inside-drawer-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-19-nut-inside-drawer-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-19-nut-inside-drawer.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There is just enough screw sticking through to the inside of the drawer to secure the screw with a nut, but not so much screw that it is going to be a hazard to my hands reaching in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>The diameter of<\/strong> the pipe feels quite comfortable in the grip. The handle can be grasped anywhere along its length to pull it open. Now I have no qualms about filling up those big drawers to capacity.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26574\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26574\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-20-two-PVC-handles.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-26574 \" title=\"My new, strong and comfortable PVC handles on the dresser drawer. \" alt=\"My new, strong and comfortable PVC handles on the dresser drawer. \" src=\"http:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-20-two-PVC-handles-300x234.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-20-two-PVC-handles-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-20-two-PVC-handles-1024x802.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/PVC-handle-20-two-PVC-handles.jpg 1532w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26574\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">My new, strong and comfortable PVC handles on the dresser drawer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The dresser that I inherited had two big drawers with broken knobs. I was hoping to use it\u00a0in my attempt to organize my sewing room.\u00a0It was well made, but wooden knobs can only handle so much 6 foot teenage boy. My engineer surprised me a few days ago with a new, very sturdy, PVC pipe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19,20],"tags":[91,51],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26509"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26509\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyimprovisations.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}