Easy to make metal arbors

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Making a metal garden arbor is easy if you use copper pipe and the right type of copper fittings. Cutting copper pipe is also easy, even for beginners, when you use a pipe cutter. Soldering is not necessary. You can glue the pipes together to make the arbor structure using special construction adhesive. Copper ages into a decorative patina naturally, but you can also paint the metal arbor to fit in with your outdoor decor. Metal spray-paints are available in a range of colors and finishes to suit any style.

Things You'll Need

• Copper pipe, 1-inch diameter
• Measuring tape
• Pipe cutters
• 4 Copper slip "T" fittings, 1-inch diameter
• Waterproof construction adhesive, fast-drying
• 4 Rebar poles, 1/2-inch diameter
• 4 Copper elbow fittings, 1-inch diameter

Instructions

1. • 1

     Measure and cut four 1-inch diameter copper pipes to the desired height of the arbor. Cut the pipes with a copper pipe cutter or with a hacksaw.

   • 2

     Measure and cut two 1-inch diameter copper pipes to the desired width of the arbor. Measure and cut two 1-inch diameter copper pipes to the desired depth of the arbor.

   • 3

     Slide a 1-inch diameter copper slip "T" fitting to the center of each copper pipe cut for the height of the arbor. The fittings must line up when the pipes are side by side. Glue the fitting in place on the pipe with fast-drying, waterproof construction adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fast-drying adhesives may bond instantly or they may need up to 15 minutes of drying time.

   • 4

     Place two of the pipes cut for height side by side. Position the pipes so that the slip "T" openings are facing each other. Spread the construction adhesive inside the slip "T" openings. Quickly insert one of the copper pipes cut for depth into the opening to join the pair of pipes together. Follow the same process to join the remaining two copper pipes cut for height. These two joined sections are the two sides of the arbor.

   • 5

     Insert the four 3-foot long rebar poles into the ground in the desired location of the arbor. Leave at least 15 inches of rebar extended above the ground. Space the rebar poles to fit the four copper pipes of the arbor. Fit the two pair of joined pipes over the rebar poles.

   • 6

     Glue a copper elbow fitting to each end of the two copper pipes cut for the width. The openings on the elbows should face the same direction on both ends of both pipes.

   • 7

     Glue the open ends of the elbows attached to one of the width pipes to the top of two facing height pipes. Follow the same process to glue the remaining width pipe between the two remaining height pipes.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: 1-inch diameter, copper pipes, 1-inch diameter copper, construction adhesive, copper pipe, copper pipes desired, diameter copper