shower perches

[Barb]

Well, I went to Ace Hardware this afternoon and got supplies to make 2 shower perches.
All in all it cost me $20 for two (so half the price of what they charge in the stores). It was easy and actually fun to do.
Here is what I bought:
5' PVC pipe in 1/2"
2 4-way connectors
2 L-shaped connectors
6 suction cups
8 1/2' PVC end caps
6 stainless steel screws (I used 1/8 inch)
and 6 stainless steel washers
plus I got two stainless steel eye hooks

First I cut the big piece of PVC into several smaller pieces. For each perch, I cut one 8" piece (perch), two 4" pieces (to the sides), one 3" piece (underneath), and one 2" piece (connecting the 4-way with the L-shaped).

I even did this myself ladies!


Then I drilled through the suction cups and through the end caps.




Attached everything together:


Then I used sandpaper to get all the ink off the PVC (from the store). Washed everything...


And connected it all together again, and wrapped with vet wrap.


Attached a toy, and it was an instant success!

[Annie2123]

cool what a great idea

[KeetsforMe]

Thats amazing! I looked at some yesterday, in fact. What was it $23 a piece? Unreal.


What a deal you got. Question, what is vet wrap?

[Shade]

Good idea. They look really neat.
I saw a shower perch for about the same price the other day but might try this instead because it looks like fun . I don't have a saw yet (working my way up with acquiring power tools (and I'm the one who uses them, not the bf )) but I think my dad surely has one that I could borrow..
Thanks for sharing!

[Pootspete]

Kudos to you Barb! A job well done!

[elfhome]

Originally Posted by KeetsforMe

Thats amazing! I looked at some yesterday, in fact. What was it $23 a piece? Unreal.


What a deal you got. Question, what is vet wrap?

It is this stuff
Great bandages, for many reasons. 1) They're extremely comfortable. 2) Flexible 3) It only sticks to itself, so no annoying adhesive on everything

I love them because they're comfortable. My dad likes them because his arms are rather hairy and because it only sticks to itself when you remove the bandage it doesn't take half your hair (or skin) with it. This makes them great for furry/feathery critters.

The red cross at my hometown used to use them. You'd donate blood and get a nice comfy vet wrap. Then they switched to band aids (cheaper). Ouch!


I'd love to try to make these. Problem is, I'm not very handy. I might make my bf make me one or two. Hehe.

[larkee]

Looks great!
I must say, I'll never ever be able to make something as good as that

[elfhome]

Originally Posted by larkee

Looks great!
I must say, I'll never ever be able to make something as good as that

I know! I almost died when Barb described it as 'easy'. LOL - just 'cause she's got major skills doesn't mean we all do!

[larkee]

Wait she said it was easy?
*scrolls up page*
SHE DID!
Wow, she must have major skill

[Barb]

You guys are so funny! It was easy! The only tricky part was using the saw (I am not a saw expert), but after that it was just fitting the pieces together (thank you Ace Hardware staff!).

I just realized that I said "shower" perches when actually I will be using them in the windows. That vet wrap would get all gross in the shower!

[patty]

Barb, those are great! Very creative! I don't think I could make those myself. I bought a shower one for about $15... and it's a lot smaller than the ones you made. =/

[Barb]

Thanks Patty! It wasn't very creative on my part (I used the shower perch I bought as a model too!), and I couldn't stand the idea of spending lots of money on several more of them!

I have even been considering making a few more!
We don't have all the windows in the apartment bird ready! And Darwin loves to fly back and forth between the ones he has!

[larkee]

What!?
You keep insisting it's easy!?
Oh, I get it.
You're being modest.

[Barb]

Oh my gosh, I swear! The only way you will be convinced is if you make one of your own!

The ace hardware guy even asked if I wanted him to cut the pieces, so if you could get them to do that the hard part would be over!

[larkee]

Hmmm,
I'll try do it sometime this year.

[merlinsmom]

Great job! Thanks for sharing your instructions.
Vet wrap is fine in the shower,too. I have it wrapped on a bar in our shower for Merlin. It does not absorb water at all.

[Shade]

I was concerned about vetwrap getting wet in a shower.
Thanks for that info Lori Ann!

[Barb]

Oh that is good to know. Maybe there are different kinds too, because I wipe off perches wrapped in vet wrap and they get sort of stringy (for lack of a better word!).

[merlinsmom]

Hmm, maybe. The stuff I use is called Pet Wrap by Simple Solution. Self adhering bandage, no adhesives, not affected by water or licking. It does contain natural rubber latex, so if I noticed the fids chewing on it I would remove it. But neither one bothers with it.
I can un-wrap the perches and reposition/rewrap with the same wrap, it lasts a long time.

[mighty mouse]

Oh, I was wondering how it works in the shower - I'm happy it will be okay, since Jinx showers with me almost every day.

[Tiki-Bella]

Barb - that's awesome! Are you taking orders???? : )

[Barb]

No, I just did it for fun. If I do it again I will send you one though!

[Tiki-Bella]

Well if you decide tpo make more ... let me know ... I'll send you some $$ - Dakota would love one of those.

We have a shower perch - it only has 2 suction cups and it falls off the shower wall! Maybe I will try to modify it a bit and add a third suction cup.

[corleone]

Wow. That is a creative idea. I don't think that i can do the same. Kind difficult to me

[Breadpazoid]

Barb,

I'd love to try doing this but I'm wondering - does the arm fold back for storage, in any direction? If not, how hard would it be to make a folding arm?

Thanks!