Make a PVC Light Stand for Under $5

[migLio101]

"i've had a few babies" lol...

anyways awesome videos

[RanManTinCan]

I dont know where you managed to get the 10' of 3/4'' PVC for $1.50, but in Canada, Home Depot/Rona charge $10 for the same length and about $.99 per coupler/end cap and #1.50 for one t-joint. That's nearly the cost of an actual stand. Was going to try this for an upcoming lighting rig i was going to build.

[NooVooFilms]

From 1 - 10' x 3/4" schedule 40 PVC pipe using a PVC pipe cutter you can get: 5 - 2' 6 - 6" 1 - 1 & 1/2" 1- 10 & 1/2" (leftover) Need: 4 - couplers 3 - Tees 4 - End Caps 1 - Snap Tee Heading for Lowe's!

[RubenDelight]

Just went out to the hardware store to get loads of pvc stuff, turns out in most of europe they don't have end caps, t-joints or any of that, only box splitters and pipes :/ This country is extremely DIY unfriendly..

[19Overton85]

can what you teach be put to use in photography? like your episode about Three-Point lighting?

[drsrinara]

Wonderful video. Great tips. Extremely helpful. I am certain there are many that benefited from this; I know I did. Thank you!!

[TheCoryGold]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

[OneFabFisher]

I love you man.

[TheLocalProduction]

I saw your light stand and it looks pretty good, but I needed more stability so I built my own and recorded how I built it. It costs a couple of dollars more, but I like the look better. You can check it out on my video channel thelocalproduction

[runbenguo]

Greetings from Spain. Thank you very much for this helpful tutorial. I attached some old lamps to the stand and with some new bulbs, we have lighting for our shortfilms. Great!

[exxors]

Thanks a lot! After see your video, I rushed to the Home Depot store and bought a few pvc pipes, T's and end caps and now I have 3 light stands and a background frame! I'm a beginner in photography, and I don't have enough money to pay an expensive studio equipment, but your idea put me on the road again! God bless you, sir. Greetings from Mexico!

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@exxors Thanks, and hello from America!

[xMonicaxMartinezx]

I want to thank you for making this video! I am in school for photography, and I have been struggling with the cost of scrims, stands, and their clamps - this video solved ALL those problems! Cannot wait to get building!

[felipelbrasi]

this man is a genius... great stuff

[OnTheSpotTech2]

or use the crib sheet with the PVC as a background !

[DiScattoArmandoT]

hi grat video, can u say me how is called the tessue used on minutes 8.12?? tnx

[2315MARCO]

You always stress on using pvc cutters. lol. I had to get one after watching a few pvc projects.

[titusishmael]

I used your crib sheet idea on a video that I made, and that diffused the lighting perfectly! Great Video!

[mrphotographyperson]

this is actually that brilliant that i figured a way where i tur to have 2 work lights hanging and then i can make it higher and then a T-bean at the top and clamp a blue or green screen to it and you get even lighting with adjustments! this is sooo good!

[pluxonline]

Wow u can get pvc joints so cheaply! all the materials will cost me $20-$30 at local shops...

[MrJveselka]

Where do you find the snap tee

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@MrJveselka I found mine at Lowe's, but you may have to turn to the web to order one.

[14789632539]

@thefrugalfilmmaker I couldn't find a snap tee. So I cut the bottom 2 foot in half and put an extra tee in the middle the have it go to the side! I will email you pictures!

[gamulea]

I apologize if it has been mentioned before - there's a booklet by Dean Collins, called "Tinker Tubes", which presents the schematics of a few useful lighting contraptions made of PVC tubes. You can get it for free here: software-cinema. com/page/13/tinkertubes

[shane8109]

I really appreciate the time you take to make these videos. Great stuff

[phillozoph50]

I wouldn't be surprised if in next video you'll show us how to make full HD video camera from pvc pipes:)Amazing work,thanks for sharing your fantastic ideas.

[VictoriaSwilley]

Thank you so much for this! I made 3 of them. They are great; so versatile and you can disassemble them for all kinds of configurations! I even took one apart and made a pole that fit in a tiny space where I needed to hang a hairlight. A traditional stand would NEVER have fit there. God bless you, sir, for making my productions affordable.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@VictoriaSwilley Glad I could help!

[funincluded]

Lowballed the price... it cost me $30

[TheJasonRaj]

nice one i really needed this

[MHBODYBUILDING]

Thankyou v much. easiest DIY ever.

[bigbrothervladamir]

I like your videos but they all use PVC and when I went to the store, a 10' 3/4" PVC pipe was $10 :S

[VictoriaSwilley]

@bigbrothervladamir I saw that at Lowe's a 5' was $3 or more... I looked around the other side of the shelf and there was all the cheap stuff, $1.98 for 10' or so, but it looks the same. Must be something special about the short ones... anyway, I'd keep looking around or go to a different store.

[shanuant]

very inventive and what's more you're a natural entertaining presenter! keep up the good work

[mrdarryl2row]

wow that was awesome... was wondering how to get around purchasing a light stand! thank you!! I will definitely get more creative with PVC!!

[123rajkamal]

That's a geniuos idea ! I successfuly made it at home ! Isnt there any way of making a tripod at home?

[will98fb]

your a genius thank your for the very creative and cheap ideas i've been trying to find out how to make a easy back drop and light stand on the cheap and you just helped me so much! :)

[denizthetis]

God, I worship you!

[7wanderersvideo]

Awesome! I have the work lights, now I just need to build these bad boys!

[MrSuperduckysam]

This guy for president!



[Nellz25]

Im soooo excited to start building on a tight budget and this is the best idea so far!

[theryan2112]

Hi there, how would you mount 2 fluorescent XL light bulb on one of those PVC light stand? Much appreciated, great idea for sparing money.

[goojessi]

wow thank you very much .. you save me a lot of money..

[pmalbec]

Just a GREAT idea. Cheap, usefull, great.

I was looking, here in Chile, for a cheap tripod for lights i always see in catalogs in USA, but with this you bring happiness to my life ;)

[elpibeval]

very ingenius very thanks i need that, here in my country are very expensive the tpipod, thanks from colombia

[mrinalini8484]

You are a GENIUS!

[tamerursavas]

can you make a pvc cam stand

[bigdima3]

PVC obsession )

[fhtommy]

I've been watching your videos for the last few days. Thanks for doing these. I made my first light stand last night. I used Velcro straps to hold the lights on and I am very happy. Thanks so much!

[ChzBrgrChzBrgr]

Fantastic ideas Mr. Frugal. I've been wondering what I was gonna use for light stands when I buy my lights. I hadn't even considered pvc pipe. Thank you sir.

[roninfilmer132]

Can you make a video on how to make a white screen backdrop with a pvc stand so we can get that white background for that apple commercial look for music videos and photography?

[roninfilmer132]

These videos are awesome and extremely useful. Frugal film maker is the best on youtube!

[enriqueuret]

well i actually have a third leg if you know what im saying e.e... no?..sorry u.u

[RockerLittleE]

I love PVC... It's better than Legos!

[CRUZPHOTOS]

love it!!! thank you

[CRUZPHOTOS]

lololol you read my mind I did the same thing for my frame to hang my backgrounds! and i have some left over and i thought to make a stand like that !

[jgson14]

this really helped

[DudeVlogger]

where did u get those clear paper things for the clamp lamps

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@TheSicMetalDrummer They can be used for a lot of things. I've used them for holding mics, chromakeys, reflectors and signs. Even if you don't use them for lights, they always seem to come in handy for something.

[Censored4TRUTH]

Very educational and strangely soothing video :-)

TheAngel . com ~~ TheGuy . com ~~ Peta . org

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@Censored4TRUTH I like that. "The Strangely Soothing Filmmaker". Hmmm....

[ColdHeartP]

jesus buy a impact light stand for the love of god....the light bulbs you need to use are more expensive then the stand you shouldn't be making movies

[HNNstarcraft]

wow thanks. You're like the MacGyver of photography

[TRAKHOUSE]

Like the vid thanks! Have u ever tried making a softbox out of PVC pipe? If not I think

it can be done!

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@TRAKHOUSE It's possible, but I wouldn't hang a PVC softbox on a PVC stand. Too much forward weight. Using a reflective umbrella might be a better solution.

[Yoshimo123]

Hi. Where did you get your PVC from? I went to a PVC specialty shop because I found Home Depot did not have enough selection. The 10' length cost me $12.00. That's crazy more expensive than what you paid. Mind you I live up in Canada but the price shouldn't be too different.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@Yoshimo123 Yikes! A 10' length of 3/4" PVC pipe is less than $2 here. The cheapest price is typically at Home Depot.

[iAmATechGeek]

@Yoshimo123 Hell - if it was $12 in Canada and $2 in the USA, it's cost at least $30 here in New Zealand! :(

[survivor110]

amazing ... i must say this video is quite helpful for new beez.. cheaper and professional !

[vinvin121]

just watched your video, I saw another guys idea for a diffuser using same pvc pipes but he screwed his fabric on, but your crib sheet idea is absolutely fantastic. I love the idea of dismantling everything and keeping in a bag. Your light stand are great for added extras easy to make and assemble. Not sure how stable everything will be with out gluing the joints but will try out before I glue as i really like the portability. Thanks so much for sharing. hope you make more useful vids soon

[brilesinfo]

Constructed two 7ft stands and one mini stand. Cost about $15 total (I bought extra parts and one additional 10ft section). Project turned out great! Now I'm going to build a chroma stand! Thanks again!

[brilesinfo]

Outstanding! Thanks much!

[xokeucma1]

from where can i buy this hinge joint

i search in lowe`s home depot rona with no luck

please please please tell me

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@xokeucma1 Sorry, I got the name wrong. What you want to look for is a "snap tee". The only store I could find that carried them was Lowe's, but you can find them online as well.

[BarbieBillionaire]

PERFECT!!!!!!!!! Portable projector screen stand, here I COMEEEEEEE!!! THANKS SEXY!!!!!!!

[notrandomname]

I've been searching for it about an hour!

Thank you SoOo much.

please make video on homemade

variable/flexible light-head.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@notrandomname What is a variable / flexible light head?

[skinVISIBLE]

@thefrugalfilmmaker I think He means tiltable

[cyrax037]

I just noticed that work light you showed in here is smaller then the normal ones I've seen. Where did you find that, and how much light does it put out compared to the regular sized ones?

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@cyrax037 It's a 250w halogen work light and you should be able to find one in any hardware store. Look right next to its more expensive, 500w cousins. I use mine quite a bit to illuminate backgrounds without overpowering the foreground lighting.

[cyrax037]

@thefrugalfilmmaker Sweet! I'll have to check it out next time I'm at Lowes!

[hpept]

Man, you´re a genious! I' going to buy some cheap halogen lamps with barn doors for about 20 bucks each, and I was worried about the stands, but now I have the answers on how to do them on a budget.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@hpept Glad you found them useful. Where did you find halogen lamp with barn doors for $20? Please share!

[hpept]

@thefrugalfilmmaker

I live in Brasil. You can find what i´m talking about in the sister site of Ebay, called Mercado Livre. Just look for "refletor" in their search engine and you´ll find it. It comes for 40 R$, which is more or less 22 US$ (already with a 1000W lamp installed, although a 2800 Kelvin one).

[skinVISIBLE]

@thefrugalfilmmaker Excuse me but what grade of pvc are you using (please as specific as possible)? asking because i went to buy some todaY and it was floppy as...

[Kimjiheo]

This is exacty what i'm looking for . Thank you so much

[MrJosarturo]

Muy buen video . Gracias

[taylordanetriplett]

just made one :) also ordered some 18% gray cards.. and making the crane tomorrow, were filming a movie so were using your stuff! :) your awesome

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@taylordanetriplett Send me some pictures of your production showing off the Frugal Gear and I'll post them on my blog!

[timezonefilms]

This is awesome. I'm totally making these! Thanks for the tips!

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@timezonefilms You're welcome! I've used mine quite a bit and hope that they come in just as handy for you.

[therockmob]

U rock

[cumanagoto]

Great work!

[TheFitzProductions]

Do You know where i can find PVC pipe in England. or does it have a different name?????

[xturdmanx]

where did you find the hinge joint? the T shaped pvc that snaps on. I have looked everywhere and cannot find a store that sells them.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@xturdmanx I have since learned that that piece is called a "snap tee". I found mine at Lowes.

[syedN07]

what is the Diameter of the Pvc?

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@syedN07 It's all 3/4" pipe and fittings.

[Knoptop]

Good stuff!

[cyrax037]

Where did you get a PVC pipe cutter that cheap?

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@cyrax037 Harbor Freight Tools, baby! Look them up online, there's probably a retail location near you.

[cyrax037]

@thefrugalfilmmaker Ok, Thanks!!!

[cyrax037]

@thefrugalfilmmaker

Hmm, I did get that pvc pipe cutter (and a heat gun for $10!) the heat gun seems to be fine, but the cutter I got, didn't seem to ratchet right, and the blade got a huge chip in it first time I used it. Barely applied any force too. Have you had any problems with yours? After this, I'm alittle weary of getting a cheaper one now. :(

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@cyrax037 I've never had a problem with the PVC cutters. If yours chipped, take it back! THEN get the cheaper Harbor Freight version.

[cyrax037]

@thefrugalfilmmaker lol, I actually did get the Harbor Fright one, that's the one that broke one me. Maybe I'll get a replacement, but there isn't one close by, so I have to get it online.

[hotshot4525]

This is kinda off topic but what is your flooring?? i like it haha

[GuerrillaDaVille]

Thanks for this! Just built my own following your instructions.

[NRMStudios]

Yeah, I see what your saying. I just built my own version. The joints are glued and screwed. The base is 26" square and it has a second support that comes up from and angle. I still plan to toss a couple of sand bags on the base when in use. You can pull two screws and the whole thing folds up flat. Ill have to post a pic or something. But FFs video was my inspiration. :)

[NRMStudios]

I love the simplicity of your design... a bit of glue, some screws and a few sand bags and those stands should be very stable. I love the crib sheet idea. I have twin 5 month old boys myself. Now to just get the wife to buy white sheets, all of ours are green, yellow or have a print. I was thinking about using clear prismatic ceiling tiles to defuse the light, then you dont have to worry about the temps as much. Great vid, thanks.

[mrmosby1]

Excellent video. Thanks a lot.

[truelover316]

Thank you so much for this wonderful idea. I have built it and using it. Hats Off!

- Debasish Upadhyey India

[arjunkaul]

Excellent video. Thanks a lot.

[ranger7theseries]

nice build!

[CameronMcCasland]

dangerous and irresponsible.

[NRMStudios]

@CameronMcCasland What's so dangerous about his design?

[CameronMcCasland]

@NRMStudios putting any light on a wobbly stand is dangerous, especially at 7 feet. The base on this is terrible, as its not reinforced in any wa (no glue) y. I'm all about frugal, but not at the risk of safety. He even says it gets wobbly at that height.

[thefrugalfilmmaker]

@CameronMcCasland 7 feet is an extreme height, I realize. It is also why I came up with the third stabilizer leg (shown in the video).

[chrismon0]

Nice

[etentertainment]

Awesome, Thanks!

[Films4You]

Great Thanks :)