Cut three pieces of PVC 48 inches long, two pieces 3 inches long, and eight pieces of PVC 16 inches long. These pieces will construct a set of freestanding ballet bars that are 48 inches long and 36 inches tall. If you desire a setup at a different height or length, adjust the length of the PVC pipes accordingly.
Dampen the clean cloth with acetone, and use the cloth to remove the black printing from the PVC pipes. The acetone dissolves the printing and leaves the pipes clean and white. Wear rubber gloves while working with the acetone.
Test fit the PVC pieces without gluing them together to make sure the ballet bars are the right size for your dancer, and so that you understand how the fittings and pieces go together. Place the two elbows on the ends of one 48-inch piece. Place two sets of “T” fittings on the ends or the other 48-inch long pieces. Use four of the 16-inch pieces to connect these three pieces of pipe together into a 48- by 36-inch rectangle.
Slide the caps onto the 16-inch long pieces, one cap on one end of four different pieces. Slide the opposite ends of the pieces with the caps into the last set of “T” fittings, arranging them so they are in line with one another. Place the 3-inch pieces in the top opening of these “T” fittings. These pieces assemble the legs.
Place the PVC nipple, the short 3-inch piece that sticks up from the top of the “T” in the center of the leg assemblies into the “T” fitting that is on the bottom of the rectangle. The ballet bar is now assembled but not glued together. Stand the ballet bar up, and test the bar's height and stability.
Use a pencil and mark the alignment of the fittings on the pipes; when the pieces are glued together, they must align with each other or the pieces won't fit together properly. Mark a small line on the pipe and a corresponding mark on the fittings.
Remove the legs from the upper rectangle, and glue the pieces of the legs together first. Using the nylon applicator that is included in the jar of PVC cement, and wipe the glue onto the exterior surface of the end of the pipe that fits into the fitting. Repeat the process on the inside of the fitting, and then quickly slide the pipe and fittings together. Align your pencil marks, and hold the fitting onto the pipe for 15 to 20 seconds while the glue melts the pieces together.
Repeat the process for all the fittings on the legs and for the fittings on the upper rectangle. If you will transport the portable bars from one location to another or will want to store the bars out of the way, do not glue the joints between the legs and the upper rectangle. The legs will securely press into the bottom fittings on the ballet bar and then can be removed so the bars will store easily in a closet or under a bed.