How to Build a Firewood Bundle Wrapper
Wrapping firewood in shrink wrap is useful if you want to sell it, as it increases the bundle's attractiveness and allows customers to see the wood. Doing this by hand can be a clumsy task, however. You will get much better results by building a bundle wrapper. This device is essentially a bowl that holds the firewood while an arm holding shrink wrap spins around it. It will allow you to bundle firewood quickly and efficiently.
Step 1
Sand the ends of all PVC pipes.
Step 2
Apply a bead of PVC glue into the four lower flanges of a 1-inch 5 way PVC joint, leaving the top flange unglued.
Step 3
Insert an 8-inch PVC pipe into each glued flange, wiping away any excess glue with a paper towel.
Step 4
Glue four 1-inch PVC end caps onto the other sides of the pipes.
Step 5
Glue a 5-inch PVC pipe into the joint's fifth flange to create the wrapper's stand.
Step 6
Slip a 1 1/2-inch 3-way T Joint onto the 5-inch pipe, with the side flange facing out. It should be loose, allowing it to rotate freely.
Step 7
Place a 12-inch PVC end cap facedown on a table, like an upside-down bowl.
Step 8
Place a 1-inch PVC end cap faceup onto the center of the 12-inch cap's bottom.
Step 9
Drill a quarter-inch hole through the center of both caps.
Step 10
Thread a quarter-inch bolt through the larger end cap and smaller one. Tighten the nut within the 1-inch end cap to join the two together.
Step 11
Place the 1-inch end cap onto the 5-inch pipe. This creates a 12-inch bowl resting on the PVC stand. Do not glue the cap; you will want to remove it periodically to tighten the nut.
Step 12
Glue an 18-inch piece of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe and a 6-inch piece into opposite ends of a 4-way joint.
Step 13
Glue a 1 1/2-inch elbow joint to the other side of the 6-inch pipe.
Step 14
Glue a final 6-inch piece of 1 1/2-inch pipe into the other side of the elbow joint. This completes the arm that will hold the roll of shrink wrap.
Step 15
Glue the 6-inch pipe into the side flange of the rotating T-Joint.
Step 16
Allow all of the glue to dry overnight.
Tips
- To use the bundle wrapper, slide a roll of shrink wrap onto the rotating arm. It will rest on the 4-way joint. Stand firewood in the upward-facing 12-inch PVC end cap. Staple the end of the shrink wrap to a piece of wood, then spin the arm around the bundle several times.
Writer Bio
Alex Smith began writing in 2006 and brings a combination of education and humor to various websites. He holds a Master of Arts in theater and works as a professional makeup and special-effects artist.
Photo Credits
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