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PVC Backdrop/Light Stand

Nov 9, 2008 by Udi Tirosh Add Comment

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DIY Photography backdrop standI love nothing better than a good PVC construction. This is why I was so happy when David Turman sent in this great PVC stand. As any stand it can double as a light stand or a backdrop stand. You can use the stand to mount the cool backdrop you already made, or “just” your store bought backdrop. David is doesn’t talk much, but his picture by picture tutorial is priceless. David, the floor is yours.

Here is my version of a simple and durable PVC backdrop or Lighting Stand. All the pieces are cheap and readily available and assembly is easy. I bought all the pieces at my local Lowe’s for about $11.00, so you can do 2 for about 20 bucks not counting the uprights. You might save even more if you buy a multi-pack of the PVC fittings.

PVC Cutting List:

  • 10- 3/4” x 8” long PVC
  • 2- 3/4” x 6 1/2” long PVC
  • 2- ¾ x 3” long PVC

Materials List:

  • 10′- 3/4” schedule 40 PVC pipe
  • 1- 3/4” PVC cross tee
  • 2- 3/4” 45deg. PVC Elbow
  • 5- 3/4” PVC tee
  • 4- 3/4” 90deg PVC elbow
  • 1- small can PVC Cement

Tool List:

  • tape measure
  • Sharpie marker
  • PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
  • Dremel tool w/ sanding drum
  • Safety Glasses and maybe some gloves

Just before we start, a word of caution: PVC cement is some very noxious stuff and even flammable. Make sure you use plenty of ventilation and maybe even take a break every so often. And no smoking around this stuff. Safety eyewear is also a good idea

DIY Photography backdrop stand

All the items you will need.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

Layout the 3”, 6 1/2” pipe, cross tee and 2- 45 deg elbows like this.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

To make it easier, join the short pieces to the cross tee and the long pieces to the 45 deg. Elbows like this.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

…and then glue them all together like so. Set this aside to dry.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

Next lay out the 10 PVC pieces of pipe, 4- 90 elbows and 2 of the tees like this.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

…glue them together so you look like this. Make sure all the pieces are fully inserted and the tee in the middle is perfectly vertical.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

Next, going back to the crossmember, glue on the 2 remaining tees. Make sure they are nice and square.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

Now you should have 3 pieces that look like this.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

Now, join the 3 pieces together. A mallet or block of wood might be helpful to make sure everything is fully seated.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

One last thing. You will need to grind down the little lip inside the cross tee. The pole I use is exactly 1” in diameter and wouldn’t slide through. A Dremel makes light work of this. I neglected to mention that this is much easier to do before you started gluing it together.

DIY Photography backdrop stand

DIY Photography backdrop stand

 

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Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: backdrop, light stand, PVC Magic Studio

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.net

About Udi Tirosh

Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

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Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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